State Assessments – Academic Intervention Services (AIS)

The New York State Education Department has implemented state-wide assessments in math and English/Language Arts in all grades 3–8, science in grades 4 and 8 and social studies in grades 5 and 8. The purpose of these assessments are many:

1. To insure that all schools are covering specific course content

2. To provide an assessment to gauge student and school achievement.

3. To Increase academic expectations across New York State

4. To identify students who need additional support in preparation for high school Regents exams

The fourth purpose listed, to identify students in need of additional academic support, creates issues for schools and for students. Students who earn a score at level 1 or 2 on any of these assessments are required to receive Academic Intervention Services to remediate academic deficiencies. For example, a student who earns a level 2 score on the grade 8 math assessment must receive math AIS; a student who earns a level 2 score in English/Language Arts and math must receive math AIS English AIS. These AIS take many forms, including additional remedial classes, regular family contact/conferences, individualized instruction, participation in special support programs (FOCUS, Block aid individualized instruction, participation in special support programs (FOCUS, Block aide help), alternative placements, summer school and/or other interventions.

We want all students to take all of these assessments seriously and do his/her best. Even those students who do their best and still earn a level 1 or 2 score need to receive additional academic support to have a chance at future Regents exam success. Each of these support services require additional time from the student’s already packed schedule. One option that we will be employing on a more regular basis is summer school. Beginning this year, we will be strongly requesting, in some cases requiring, students who earn scores of 1 or 2 on state assessments to attend summer school in the related course(s) to provide Academic Intervention. This will be done even if the student passes the respective junior high course. For example, a student could “pass” math 8 for the year but earn a level 2 score on the NYS math 8 assessment. He/she would need to attend math 8 in summer school to complete the required AIS in math! Successful completion of the summer school course could reduce, or in some cases even eliminate, the time required for AIS in grade 9. In June we will be notifying by letter the parents of those students who we believe should attend summer school. A final determination will be made once the official student scores are received from the State. Based upon summer school attendance and success, Shaker High School administrators will make a decision regarding the intensity of AIS required in grade 9.