Kallie McDaniel-Zapata

PhD Candidate

Afilliation

University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio

Country

United States of America

Professional URL

SHORT BIO

Kallie Zapata is a PhD student in the EDST program at the University of Cincinnati, USA. Her professional experiences include educating K-12 English learners, supporting communication skills in adults with Autism, and TESOL. Her research is at the intersection of English language learners and special education.

PRESENTATION TITLE

Response to Intervention for English Learners With and Without Learning Disabilities in Primary Grades: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

This presentation reports findings from a systematic review of Response to Intervention (RTI) for English learners (ELs) with suspected disabilities in grades K–5 in the United States. As schools increasingly use RTI data to guide instruction and special education decisions, equitable implementation for ELs remains essential. The authors reviewed 18 empirical studies published over the past decade, focusing on assessment practices, intervention approaches, and educators’ perceptions. Findings suggest that RTI can support ELs when implemented thoughtfully and adapted to students’ linguistic needs. However, misconceptions about ELs and weak implementation may reduce effectiveness and contribute to inequitable education for ELs.

ABSTRACT

PRESENTER INTERVIEW