An Exploration of General Education English language arts: reading Teachers' Knowledge and Perceptions of Tier II Response to Intervention in a North Louisiana School District
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Authors
Thomas, Mary
Issue Date
2026-04
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Response to Intervention , Teacher Perceptions
Alternative Title
Abstract
Response to Intervention is an multitiered educational framework intended to support students who are struggling academically. Tier 1 and Tier 2 consist of interventions implemented by the general education teacher in the general education classroom. The problem addressed in this study was the lack of information regarding general education teachers’ knowledge and perceptions about the guiding principles of effective implementation of Tier 2 of Response to Intervention and resources necessary for successful student outcomes. The purpose was to explore the knowledge and perceptions of general education reading teachers in one northeast Louisiana school district regarding the effective implementation of Tier 2 of Response to Intervention. Critical theory aided in highlighting the importance of understanding power structures that influence educational teaching and outcomes. A qualitative, collective case study was conducted through interviews and document analysis. Purposive, criterion sampling was used to recruit nine general education reading teachers of first through third grade. Saldaña’s two-cycle coding method was applied for data analysis to answer the research questions aimed at gathering information on participant knowledge and perception of Tier 2 of Response to Intervention as well as resources needed to improve student learning outcomes. Five themes were revealed to answer the research questions. Participants shared their knowledge and perceptions of Tier 2 Response to Intervention and what resources they believed necessary for positive student reading outcomes. All nine teachers discussed the importance of research-based, individualized, differentiated interventions to meet each student’s specific needs, consistently monitoring progress, and utilizing data to make intervention decisions. The participants’ perceptions of Tier 2 Response to Intervention were based on the district-mandated computer program, Lexia® Core5® Reading (Lexia). They expressed concern that students with difficulty and highlighted the need for administrative support and collaboration.