Academic Intervention Services (AIS)

Q & A for parents

  1. What are academic intervention services (AIS)?

Academic intervention services help students who are struggling to achieve the learning standards. These additional general education services include:

  • Extra instructional time to help students achieve the learning standards in the subject area(s) requiring AIS, and/or
  • Support services to help students overcome barriers that are affecting their ability to learn, such as attendance problems, family- related issues, discipline problems and health-related issues. Support services could include school guidance and counseling services to improve attendance and coordination of services provided by other agencies.
  1. How does a student become eligible for academic intervention services and when should they start?

A student can qualify for AIS by any of the following:

  • Scoring below designated standards on State Assessments and/or Screening Tests
  • Recommendation by the Response to Intervention Committee at the building where your child is enrolled
  • Report card grades, classroom performance, attendance records, teacher recommendation or parent requests
  • Previous participation in school prior to enrolling in our school
  1. When does a student receive AIS services?
  • AIS services are delivered during the school year or at summer school by using one or more of the following methods:
  • Push In – An AIS instructor works in your child’s classroom with his teacher
  • Pull Out – Your child and other students are instructed in smaller groups outside of the child’s classroom
  • Progress Monitoring – Monitoring the progress a child is making and supporting them as needed
  1. How will I know if my child is receiving AIS?

You will be notified in writing by the principal of your child’s school that your child will be receiving academic intervention services.

This notification will include:

  • A summary of the academic intervention services to be provided;
  • The name of the service provider; and
  • How often the service(s) are being delivered
  1. How will I know how my child is doing with the service(s) they are receiving?
  • At the end of every marking period, a progress report will be sent home to let you know of your child’s progress. You are encouraged to either call or visit your child’s AIS service provider(s) during parent/teacher conferences or anytime during the school year.
  1. How long will my child receive AIS?
  • Once a student has been identified in need of AIS services, they are to receive services for one full semester. A child who may not need intensive AIS services could receive progress monitoring service. This AIS service allows the provider to monitor the child’s progress and support the child as needed.
  1. Will my child feel singled out?
  • No. Often times services are delivered in mixed groups of students and often times, this occurs right in the classroom. AIS is there to enhance and support a child’s education.
  1. Who provides AIS?
  • Many professionals in school provide AIS services. AIS providers may include your child’s classroom teacher, a reading specialist, teaching assistant, guidance counselor and/or social worker. To provide AIS means to “intervene” or help prevent a child from falling behind his peers academically.
  1. If I have other questions, who can I contact?
  • If you have further questions, contact your child’s building administrator or Pupil Personnel Services office at 315-629-4331.

10 things to remember:

  • A student's intervention is based on a variety of pieces of information, including tests and student work that identify specific student needs.
  • The AIS and classroom teachers know what each student needs to learn to meet the state learning standards.
  • Students grouped for specific interventions have similar educational needs.
  • Students are evaluated on a regular basis to determine if the AIS should be changed or ended.
  • The intervention includes multiple approaches to learning that strengthen a student's skills and strategies.
  • Students learn organization and problem-solving strategies, including how to respond to questions requiring critical thinking skills.
  • A student's core classes and AIS are scheduled so that students have uninterrupted learning time.
  • The student's AIS program uses a variety of material and resources, including technology to meet the various learning styles and instructional need of students.
  • Parents are provided with practical assistance to support their child's learning needs.

Parents, teachers, principals and other school personnel collaborate in meeting the needs of children.