Response to Intervention (RTI) and English Learners

Jana Echevarria is Professor Emerita of Education at California State University, Long Beach where she was selected as Outstanding Professor. She has taught in elementary, middle, and high school in general education, special education, ESL, and bilingual programs. She has lived in Taiwan, Spain, and Mexico where she taught and conducted research. Her UCLA doctorate earned her an award from the National Association for Bilingual Education's Outstanding Dissertations Competition and subsequent research and publications focus on effective instruction for English learners, including those with learning disabilities. She has presented her research across the U.S. and internationally including Oxford University (England), Wits University (South Africa), Harvard University (U.S.), South East Europe University (Macedonia), and University of Barcelona (Spain). Publications include the popular SIOP book series and over 50 books, book chapters, and journal articles.



Catherine Richards-Tutor is an Associate Professor in the special education program at California State University, Long Beach. Before receiving her doctorate from the University of California, Santa Barbara, Dr. Richards-Tutor worked as a classroom teacher, a reading specialist for students at-risk, and a behavioral consultant. In 2009 she was awarded the Early Academic Career Excellence Award at CSU Long Beach for her accomplishments in research, teaching, and professional service. Dr. Richards-Tutor has worked with many districts and schools with high percentages of English Learners in implementing RTI in both academics and behavior. Currently, she is Co-PI on Project EQALS, Evidence-based, Quality Professional Development in Algebra for Learner Success, which is funded by the California Department of Education. Her research and publications focus on reading and math interventions and progress monitoring for English learners, particularly within a RTI model.



MaryEllen Vogt is Professor Emerita of Education at California State University, Long Beach. Dr. Vogt has been a classroom teacher, reading specialist, special education specialist, curriculum coordinator, and university teacher educator. She received her doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, and is a co-author of sixteen books, including Reading Specialists and Literacy Coaches in the Real World (3rd ed., 2011) and the SIOP (R) book series. Her research interests include improving comprehension in the content areas, teacher change and development, and content literacy and language acquisition for English learners. Dr. Vogt was inducted into the California Reading Hall of Fame, received her university's Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award, and served as President of the International Reading Association.