What are Academic Intervention Services?

Academic Intervention Services are:

• additional educational experiences required by New York State Department of Education;
• designed to support students as they work toward the State's higher learning standards;
• intended to help students meet expected levels of performance on State mandated assessments.

What types of services are offered?

Academic Intervention Services include the following student support services:

• • additional instruction in English Language Arts and Math from Kindergarten through grade 12;
  
• • additional instruction in Social Studies and Science for students in grades four through twelve;
  
• • various counseling services when those services are required to improve academic performance
  

Who is eligible for these services?

All students, including those with disabilities, are eligible to receive these services if they meet the district established entrance criteria.

Does my child have to receive AIS?

Yes, because this is a mandated program, if your child has been identified as a student that requires AIS, he/she must participate in the program.

How do we identify the students who will receive these services?

Teachers will review student progress by examining the following:

• • daily classroom performance;
  
• • testing results;
  
• • report card grades;
  
• • input from other teachers and/or parents.
  

A student will be placed in the program if he/she has:

• failed to meet the expected level of performance on a State mandated assessment;

• demonstrated a skill that places the student at risk of not passing a State mandated assessment.

The following are State mandated assessment:

• • English Language Arts for grade 4 and 8
  
• • Math for grades 4 and 8
  
• • Science for grades 4 and 8
  
• • Social Studies for grades 5 and 8
  
• • Technology for grade 8
  
• • Regents exams at the high school level in the areas of English, • • • Math, Science and Social Studies
  

Who will provide this additional instruction?

The additional instruction provided through AIS will be delivered by qualified, certified teachers and teaching assistants under the supervision of a certified teacher. At the elementary level any certified teacher may deliver these services to students. For grades 7 through 12, a teacher must be certified in the area of need to deliver these services to a student.

How long will a student continue to receive these services?

A student will continue to receives these services until he/she is able to:

• pass a State mandated assessment ;
• demonstrate a skill level that is equal to the State's expected level of performance.

How will the school keep parents informed?

Communication between school and home will be a very important part of the program. The communication plan includes the following pieces:

• • an entry letter to parents that briefly explains the student's needs and program;
  
• • a letter explaining any modification of services for the student;
  
• • quarterly progress reports included with school report cards that outline student progress;
  
• • an exit letter to parents that acknowledges the student's progress.
  

Additionally parents and/or teachers may request a conference to discuss items of concern.

What can parents do to support the program?

Parent support will certainly add to the success of the program. If your child is placed in the program, please try to:

• • be as positive and supportive as possible;
  
• • encourage your child to do his/her best and to demonstrate effort and pride in his/her work;
  
• • motivate your child by praising his/her accomplishments;
  
• • practice the skills being worked on in school at home.