A three-year tie-up between the Avinashilingam University for Women and the Institute of Community Integration, Minnesota (UMN-ICI) has been implemented in two primary schools here. This is part of the Obama-SIngh 21st century knowledge initiative (OSI). The Project takes advantage of Response to Intervention (RTI).

The UMN-ICI has been designed to improve the academic performance of low-performing students in government-aided and corporation schools.

The system, implemented in Corporation School, P.N. Pudur and Sri Avinashilingam Primary School, was tested on students of grade four, five and six for Math and English.

Giving details to the media, Dr. Premavathy Vijayan, Vice-Chancellor (i/c), Avinashilingam Institute of Home Science and Higher Education said the RTI was a system-wide approach to help students to improve academically. “It uses a mix of frequent assessments, small group interactions an teacher collaboration to accelerate learning. By this earlier intervention, RTI helps in diagnosing learning disabilities in some children. It helps them in inclusion in classrooms.”

“Ever since the projected was implemented the number of drop-outs has come down. The children are eager to learn,” she added.

Dr. Brian Abery, project director said students of those schools run and supported by the government do not have access to the best of education facilities. “The main reason is affordability. So they drop out. Through RTI we are trying to identify such students before they drop out. We ensure that they perform better in school,” he added.

A teacher admitted that the RTI method keeps the child engaged in the class throughout, and allows the teacher to pay attention to each and every child.

The principals of both the schools were also present.