When can students be tested for disabilities according to RTI?

The correct answer is appropriate because the Response to Intervention (RTI) framework emphasizes that students should be provided with high-quality instruction and interventions at increasing levels of intensity before being referred for special education evaluation. In this model, after a student has gone through the Tier 3 intervention process, which typically lasts for a minimum of 90 days, they can be tested for disabilities if they have not responded adequately to the interventions. This timeline allows educators to gather sufficient data on a student’s academic performance and responsiveness to tailored interventions, which is a critical component for making informed decisions regarding their eligibility for special education services.

The emphasis on waiting until after 90 days of Tier 3 interventions is foundational to ensuring that all efforts have been made to support the student within the general education setting. This approach helps avoid premature referrals that may lead to misidentification of special education needs.

Other options do not align with the RTI process. Testing immediately after referrals undermines the purpose of RTI, which is to ensure effective interventions first. Testing after creating an IEP is not applicable since the IEP is a result of the evaluation process, not a precursory step for testing. Furthermore, limiting testing to summer break is impractical and inconsistent with the continuous