Glossary

Browse the glossary below to learn the terms you need to know to successfully implement RTI in your school. This glossary was compiled using the following resources: The RTI Glossary of Terms developed by the IDEA Partnership @ NASDSE, the New Mexico Public Education Department RTI Glossary, and contributions from members of the RTI Action Network Advisory Council.


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Core Curriculum

A course of study deemed critical and usually made mandatory for all students of a school or school system. Core curricula are often instituted at the primary and secondary levels by school boards, Departments of Education, or other administrative agencies charged with overseeing education. Core curricula must be scientific and research-based.


Criterion-Referenced Assessment

An assessment that measures what a student understands, knows, or can accomplish in relation to specific performance objectives. It is used to identify a student's specific strengths and weaknesses in relation to skills defined as the goals of the instruction, but it does not compare students to other students. (Compare to norm-referenced assessment.)


Curriculum-Based Assessment (CBA)

Measurement that uses direct observation and recording of a student's performance in the local curriculum as a basis for gathering information to make instructional decisions.


Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM)

Tools for measuring student competency and progress in the basic skill areas of reading fluency, spelling, mathematics, and written language.


Cut point

Cutoff scores on common benchmark assessments; cut points specify the score at or below which students would be considered for intervention.