Academic intervention services (AIS) are services designed to help students achieve the learning standards in English language arts and mathematics in grades K-12 and social studies and science in grades 4-12. These services include two components: additional instruction that supplements the general curriculum (regular classroom instruction); and/or student support services needed to improve academic performance (New York State Department of Education).  

Additional instruction means the provision of extra time for focused instruction and/or increased student-teacher instructional contact time designed to help students achieve the learning standards in the standards areas requiring AIS. 

Who is eligible for AIS? 

Students eligible for AIS, including those with disabilities and/or limited English proficiency, are those who score below the designated performance levels on elementary, intermediate, and commencement-level State assessments in English language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science and those at risk of not meeting State standards as indicated through the district-adopted or district approved procedure, including those K-3 students who lack reading readiness; and LEP/ELL students.  

What general criteria must be met for an approach to count as academic intervention services?  

In order for additional instruction and/or student support services to count as academic intervention services: 

• students’ needs should be assessed by a trained staff member 

• specific interventions should be provided beyond general instruction in the course 

• student progress should be assessed regularly 

• records should be kept of the services provided; and  

• certified teachers/professional staff/teaching assistants should be appropriately assigned.