The RTI process should be used only for determining whether a child has a specific learning disability...
I recognize that there are many different nuances to the way people use the term "Response to Intervention," but I just want to say that I do not agree that it should be used "only for determining whether a child has a specific learning disability." In fact, one of the primary uses of RtI is to deliver effective and timely interventions to prevent a child falling so far behind that they are ever considered for special education.
In my state, we have a model that is similar to RtI, but we call it comprehensive student support. The way that it's implemented, of course, is not nearly as comprehensive as I would like, but it's a good vision. The class I taught last year had a very low percentage of students in special education, and pretty good proficiency rates, but fully half of them had received some kind of intervention or action plan in elementary school.
