---
title: What is instructional intervention?
description: An instructional intervention is a specific program or set of steps schools use to help students improve in an area of need, like reading or math. Learn more.
slug: instructional-intervention-what-you-need-to-know
author: Andrew M.I. Lee, JD
reviewer: Bob Cunningham, EdM
published: '2019-08-05T15:45:39.514Z'
thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/Ro6pBYPXia7EbhG6mHsUe/24a0d1303e26a254ed125e0cd220f077/G1298398859.png
source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/instructional-intervention-what-you-need-to-know
lang: en
---

# What is instructional intervention?

When kids are struggling with subjects like reading or math, schools may provide what’s called an instructional intervention. This is more than a bit of “extra help.” It’s a specific program or set of steps to address an academic need. (It’s sometimes called an academic intervention.) 

Instructional interventions are set up in ways that help track progress. The interventions are:

- **Intentional:** They’re aimed at a particular challenge.
- **Specific and formalized:** They last a certain number of weeks or months, and progress is reviewed at set intervals.
- **Flexible:** If a program isn’t helping, the school can add more instruction time each week. Or it can add more intense support, like moving from small-group to one-on-one help.

If students need more and more intense interventions, it can be an early sign of learning differences. It can also help schools determine who qualifies for special education.

---

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