Some of the core features are:

• Scientifically based instruction
• Screening all students in the school
• Three tiers of increasingly intense instruction. The first tier occurs in regular education.
• Continuously monitoring students progress through objective tests. This monitoring is used to determine changes in how the child is taught.
• Continuing progress monitoring throughout instruction and evaluating the changes.
• Involving the parent throughout the process.
• Following the timelines of IDEA 2004, unless both the parent and teacher agree to change them.