The 501 school district is one of hundreds across the nation adopting a new early intervention process- a way to avoid special education.

Amber is a first grader at Whitson Elementary. Smiling and eager to learn, it wasn't always easy for her.

“She wasn't at the benchmark at the start of first grade,” said counselor Renee Fincham.

That's when the teachers and counselors at Whitson decided to use Response to Intervention on Amber-or RTI.

It's a three tiered system of support getting more intense with each level. It’s a way to decide which students really need to go into special education.

“They wouldn't need to go into special education until they've reached the end of the second tier,” said Dr. Candy Deay. Dr. Deay says the process is working, especially on students like Amber.

“She's actually above 80 words her fluency and is actually above grade level right now,” said Fincham. She says programs like RTI are beneficial, where as in the past students were more easily put into special education when other options were out there.

“A lot of kids just do need hands on special ed isn’t the answer for a lot of kids,” said Fincham.

“We find assets and build on them from where they’re having trouble. Amber is just this happy go lucky kid and wants to do well and since she has that drive to learn it has been so easy to work with her,” said Fincham.

The Bush Administration is backing RTI, allowing districts to spend up to 15% of the money they receive for special education on the program, and setting aside $14 million in federal dollars to help states implement it.