EDRD 7177 Module 1: Article Analysis (vs. Opitz text ch. 1& 2)

Module 1: Article Analysis

Compare the text and the article. Where do the ideas seem to merge? What differences can you discern?

As I was reading Chapters 1 & 2 in our class textbook I became very interested in Response to Intervention and the diagnosis process.  I found an article that analyzes the tiers of RtI and how they work and what both the teacher and student do.  With this article as well as our textbook I found many similarities and few differences.

Both the article and the text discuss the importance of intervention as well as observing and catching the problem early on in their schooling years.  This was interesting because I had no idea there was such a diagnostic pattern (Opitz, 2007).  I think that as an educator it is important to notice that during the diagnosis process and observation it is essential that teachers look at both strengths and weaknesses.  By praising a child and also working from their strengths to help the child succeed are both successful ways a teacher can encourage a child.

Both the text and the article went into details about RtI as a while and the text analyzed it more deeply.  The authors found that reading instruction from an early age is essential and there are various components needed to create a successful program.  Word study, fluency, supported reading and comprehension, and supported writing (Denton et al., 2013).  I think that what a lot of research does not cover is the importance of both reading and writing in order for a child to be successful in reading.  They need to both read and create print in various formats.

One part of the article that I found was different from our text was when the text went into detail about how the diagnostic process should be on going and continuous (Opitz, 2007).  This article discusses the importance of completing standardized testing in order to come to a conclusion about the student.  The article also talked about completing testing “every year” for the child to measure growth.

So although I do believe that diagnosis of learning difficulties should be fluid and continuous, I also wonder about standardized testing.  When do you need to refer the child to a learning specialist?

Article:

Denton, C. A., Tolar, T. D., Fletcher, J. M., Barth, A. E., Vaughn, S., & Francis, D. J. (2013). Effects of tier 3 intervention for students with persistent reading difficulties and characteristics of inadequate responders.Journal Of Educational Psychology, 105(3), 633-648ecialist