RTI programs catching on in Alabama, elsewhere

School districts across the country are adopting early intervention programs in hopes of steering some children away from expensive special education classes. While it's a cost savings to the system, the payoff comes mainly for the student who, through intervention from the school, won't be among those identified as in need of special education.

The adoption of such programs, known as Response to Intervention, is catching on across the country as school districts are trying to cut down on over-identification—too many children being shunted off to special education who don't need to be there. This year, there were 84,772 special education students in Alabama schools. The cost to educate a student through a special education program can be twice as much as a general education student, up to $12,000 a year. Read more about what Alabama is doing at TimesDaily.com.