Core Instruction
The basis for all RTI work is a research-based core curriculum delivered with fidelity. The curriculum must be taught by skilled and trained teachers for the designated amount of time so that at least 80% of students are at benchmark on curriculum based measures and aren’t in need of interventions.
Core Instruction Defined
The basis for all RTI work is a research-based core curriculum delivered with fidelity. The curriculum must be taught by skilled and trained teachers for the designated amount of time so that at least 80% of students are at benchmark on curriculum based measures and aren’t in need of interventions. Core Instruction must contain the following non-negotiable components:
- Time of Instruction: 90 minutes per day, 5 days per week for 1st – 5th grades (or equivalent for non 5-day weeks)
- Research-based published core curriculum delivered with fidelity
- All students receive core
- Active engagement/effective instructional strategies are used throughout instruction
The reading protocol developed by the district RTI Implementation Team should address these components. Fidelity checks should be done to ensure that the protocol is being followed and that instruction is delivered as intended.

There must be fidelity to the core program... because effective core instruction is the most important thing you can do in RTI.
Additional Resources

Core Instruction in an RTI System
- Core Instruction in Tier I - ORTIi Power Point Presentation
- Instruction, Curriculum, Environment, and Learner (ICEL) - ORTIi Power Point Presentation
Instruction
- "Principals of Instruction: Research-Based strategies that all Teachers Should Know" Article by Barak Rosenshine
- The 5 Mores (Jo Robinson) Handout
- Instructional Routines - Website: Florida Center for Reading Research
- Examples of Engaging Instruction to Increase Equity in Education - PBIS Article
- Explicit Instruction - Website - Anita Archer:
Curriculum
- Sample Core Agreements/Standards of Practice/Non-Negotiables
- Sample Core Agreements with Instructional Routines
Environment
- Sample schedules
- Scheduling - ORTIi Power Point Presentation
- Increasing Student Engagement Through Opportunities to Respond - Video of ORTIi presentation (1:47mins)