The Web Based Teaching Tool (WBTT) Early Screening and Intervention Program
The Web Based Teaching Tool (WBTT) is an online program, based on the Dynamic Screening and Intervention Model, which primary teachers (JK – Grade 2) use for early screening and intervention. The WBTT program helps teachers determine:
- Which of their students are struggling
- What areas they are struggling with
- How these areas of need can be addressed in the classroom
This online tool consists of several quick, predictive screening measures in the areas of school readiness, early literacy development (phonological awareness) and math. The WBTT program automatically flags students whose scores fall below the benchmark, and also recommends interventions and ‘next steps’ for flagged students. This ensures that teachers have the tools they need to help struggling students early on in their school careers. The WBTT program also includes Observation Checklists for further determining flagged students’ areas of need, and for tracking their progress throughout the year. The WBTT’s searchable database of classroom-based interventions and teaching strategies helps teachers find ideas for supporting all of their students.
Why is the Dynamic Screening and Intervention Model Important?
The DSIM process of screening, providing interventions to flagged students and continual monitoring has been shown to increase student achievement and reduce the likelihood that flagged students will continue to struggle in the future. In addition, students who do not respond to targeted interventions are more likely to get the help they need as early as possible, thereby decreasing the achievement gap between them and their peers.
For the DSIM to increase student achievement and reduce the achievement gap, it has to be implemented correctly:
- All students in the class must be screened at the beginning of the school year. Universal screening has been shown to detect most students who will struggle in future.
- Universal screening MUST be followed by intervention and continual monitoring.
The DSIM helps teachers implement data-driven instruction. In turn, this helps students succeed in school where they may not have otherwise, and also ensures that students who are not responding to interventions get extra support if they need it.
WBTT and the Response to Intervention Model
WBTT aligns well with the Response to Intervention (RTI) model of instruction. The RTI model, which is supported by ample research, is based on a tiered instruction system:
Tier 1: High-quality classroom instruction, universal screenings and group interventions
Tier 2: Targeted interventions (for flagged students)
Tier 3: Intensive interventions and comprehensive evaluation (for flagged students that are not responding to tier 2 interventions)
The Education for all: Report of the Expert Panel of Literacy and Numeracy Instruction for Students with Special Education Needs, Kindergarten to Grade 6 (p.60) states:
An extremely effective approach to assessment and intervention is the “tiered” approach, which sequentially increases the intensity of instructional interventions (Vaughn & Fuchs, 2003). It promotes and facilitates early identification of students who are at risk, and therefore prevents learning difficulties. In addition, this approach ensures adequate interventions for students exhibiting persistent learning difficulties (Vaughn et al., 2003). For best outcomes, it should begin in Kindergarten, as students who are at risk can be identified early and provided with the appropriate intensity of instruction to prevent later persistent difficulties (Vaughn, Linan-Thompson, & Hickman, 2003). The use of the “tiered” approach in the early years has been shown to dramatically reduce the number of students in the later grades who would meet criteria for learning disabilities (O’Connor, 2000; Vaughn et al.).
The Web Based Teaching Tool Program is made possible by a grant from the Ministry of Education.
Please select the links below for more information about the WBTT program.
The WBTT School Administrator Site (SAS) for Principals
Goals of the WBTT Program and Current Research in Education
How to Access the Web-Based Teaching Tool
Select this link to view a Power Point Presentation about the WBTT
