The Taxonomy of Intervention Intensity

• Published in: Teaching exceptional children Vol. 50; no. 1; pp. 35 - 43
• Main Authors: Fuchs, Lynn S., Fuchs, Douglas, Malone, Amelia S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.09.2017
• Subjects: Alignment (Education); Behavior Problems; Case Studies; Difficulty Level; Elementary School Students; Grade 5; Individualized Instruction; Intervention; Mathematics Instruction; Progress Monitoring; Response to Intervention; Special Education; Student Behavior; Taxonomy; Transfer of Training
• ISSN: 0040-0599; 2163-5684
• DOI: 10.1177/0040059917703962

This article describes the Taxonomy of Intervention Intensity, which articulates seven principles for evaluating and building intervention intensity based upon research. The Taxonomy's seven dimensions of intensity are strength, dosage, alignment, attention to transfer, comprehensiveness, behavioral support, and individualization (see Table 1). In explaining the Taxonomy, the authors present a case study illustrating how the Taxonomy can be used to systematize the process by which special educators and related personnel (a) set up the intensive intervention process and (b) monitor the student's response and systematically improve the program to match the target student's individual needs. The goal is to increase the quality of intensive intervention, improve student outcomes, and help schools design intensive intervention programs that are clearly distinguishable from less intensive (Tier 2) intervention programs. [This article can also be accessed in ERIC as Grantee Submission ED571640.]