Carrie Pawloski
Campus Interventionalist

What is an interventionist in education?

An interventionist addresses the specific needs of a particular child when regular classroom instruction is not sufficient. Interventionists work with the teacher to design methods of learning that are most appropriate for each child.

What is an academic interventionist?

An academic interventionist is a professional who helps students overcome learning challenges at school. They typically work with kids between kindergarten and third grade. The students they work with may speak English as a second language or learn differently from other children their age due to a wide variety of factors, such as dyslexia, ADHD, chronic illnesses or challenges at home.

Academic interventionists work with these children one on one and in small group settings to personalize their learning experience based on their needs. Their goal is to ensure each student meets the state requirements to move onto the next grade level.

Related: What Is a Behavior Interventionist? Job Description, Salary, Training and Skills

What do academic interventionists do in the classroom?

Academic interventionists work with teachers and other faculty members to identify children who may be at risk of falling behind in their academic studies. This may involve monitoring students' performance in the classroom, reviewing their homework assignments or assessing their average test scores. Taking the time to analyze each of these areas carefully can help academic interventionists uncover what challenges a student may be facing. They may also meet with the student and with their guardians to learn more about their unique situation.

Often, academic interventionists use special assessment activities and tests as well. Then they use the information they gather to develop a plan to help the student improve their academic performance. This may involve providing students with extra study time, using a different teaching method or implementing a behavior plan. Academic interventionists often work with a team of adults to help each child succeed. This team may include tutors, teachers, teacher's aides, coaches, therapists and legal guardians.