Academic Intervention Services

Academic intervention services help students who are struggling to achieve the learning standards in English language arts and mathematics in grades K-12 and social studies and science in grades 4-12.

These additional general education services include:

• Extra instructional time to help students achieve the learning standards in the subject areas requiring AIS, and
• 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. 

Why is my child getting AIS services?

Entry Criteria for MTSS Services in MCS MTSS Model:

All students who fall below the NYS Mandated cut score for proficiency on the previous year's state test will receive Tier II academic interventions to begin the school year. Students within 5 scale score points of the proficiency cut score will be monitored for AIS. Students who do not have a NYS test in the previous school year will receive AIS per recommendation of the MTSS Committee, or the classroom and/or content area teacher, based on any one or a combination of the following:

• STAR test scores below proficiency
• Failing cumulative average in class 

Why are my child’s services ending?

Exit Criteria for MTSS Services in MCS MTSS Model:

Students receiving MTSS Tier II or III MTSS will discontinue services per the recommendation of the MTSS Committee. The MTSS process is expected to take a minimum of 8 weeks ( 8 data points) before recommending a change in MTSS intervention, to allow a comprehensive assessment of student progress. The MTSS Committee will consider the following:

• Cumulative average in grades 4-8 of 75 or above in the subject for which the student receives Tier II or III AIS
• Met their targeted goal 

A: State testing is required by state and federal laws.

Although testing may be stressful for some students, testing is a normal and expected way of assessing what students have learned. The purpose of state assessments required under ESSA is to provide an independent insight into each child's progress, as well as each school's. This information is essential for parents, schools, districts and states in their efforts to ensure that no child--regardless of race, ethnic group, gender or family income--is trapped in a consistently low-performing school. 

• Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) required that, by the 2016-17 school year, each state must measure every child's progress in reading and math in each of grades 3 through 8 and at least once during grades 10 through 12.
• ESSA also has in place science assessments to be administered at least once during grades 3-5; grades 6-9; and grades 10-12. New York State has set these assessments at grade 5 and 8 along with various Regents.
• ESSA also states that we must ensure that districts administer tests of English proficiency--to measure oral language, reading and writing skills in English--to all limited English proficient students, as of the 2016-17 school year.
• Students may still undergo state assessments in other subject areas (i.e., history, geography and writing skills), if and when the state requires it. ESSA, however, requires assessments only in the areas of reading/language arts, math and science.