Establishing school-wide student intervention blocks is an effective way to ensure every student receives the support they need. However, designing and implementing these blocks requires thoughtful planning, trial, and ongoing refinement. Based on our experience and observations in other schools, we have gathered key lessons learned when developing successful intervention blocks.
The Rationale Behind Intervention Blocks
Many schools struggle with students missing core instruction due to pull-out interventions. While these supports are essential, students often feel frustrated about missing important lessons or special subjects like music or physical education. In older grades, stigma can also become a factor.
To address this, schools have increasingly moved toward structured intervention blocks—dedicated times in the timetable when all students receive either additional support or enrichment. This ensures every student gets what they need without the downside of missing other critical learning opportunities.
Key Lessons Learned
1. Pilot Before Full Implementation
Rather than rolling out a school-wide intervention block immediately, piloting the approach with a single grade level helps refine scheduling, group sizes, and instructional strategies. This trial period allows for adjustments before a larger implementation.
2. Establish Clear Purpose and Intentionality
Intervention blocks should not be created just for the sake of having them. Some schools have implemented “flex blocks” without a clear goal, only to find that they lacked impact. The intervention block should be designed based on actual student needs, determined by data and assessment.
3. Schedule Multiple Blocks for Smaller Groups
Initially, we structured one intervention block for the entire school, but this led to oversized groups and ineffective instruction. Instead, staggering multiple blocks throughout the day enables better allocation of staff and ensures smaller, more manageable group sizes. Research suggests that small groups—ideally eight students or fewer—are most effective.
4. Define a Consistent Structure for Instruction
When students move between teachers for interventions, consistency in lesson delivery is crucial. Establishing a common format—such as 10 minutes of direct instruction, 10 minutes of guided practice, and 10 minutes of independent or game-based practice—helps standardize the experience and improve fidelity.
BLAST Lesson Plan - Advanced Blends - This is a sample four week lesson plan from a school's literacy intervention program, with BLAST standing for "Basic Literacy Acquisition Skills Time".
5. Group Students Based on Specific Skill Needs, Not Just Levels
Early on, we grouped students by general ability level, only to realize they had different gaps in skills. Instead, we began organizing groups based on specific skills identified through assessment, ensuring targeted instruction that directly addressed learning gaps.
6. Implement a Defined Cycle of Progress Monitoring
Intervention groups should not remain static indefinitely. Schools have found success using cycles of 3-4 weeks, with a dedicated assessment and regrouping period in between. This ensures students move forward as they master skills and that interventions remain responsive to evolving needs.
7. Maximize Staffing and Expertise
Not all intervention groups need to be led by classroom teachers. Utilizing specialized staff, volunteers, or even student teachers can help reduce group sizes. However, we learned that students with the most intensive needs should be paired with the most experienced educators to maximize impact.
8. Create Reusable Intervention Kits
Once a consistent lesson structure is established, pre-made intervention kits for various skills can be created. These materials save planning time and ensure high-quality instruction across different teachers and staff members.
9. Ensure Flexibility for Students Who Need More Support
By staggering blocks throughout the day, students who require additional intervention can participate in multiple sessions. This allows for a more tailored approach, ensuring they receive enough support to bridge learning gaps effectively.
BLAST-ing off for Literacy Intervention Success with Nancy MacLellan - Ep 39
Lorna and Kurtis are joined by Nancy MacLellan, a retired teacher and current educational consultant who has formed her company - Nancy Mac Consulting. We dive into the importance of responsive literacy interventions and share a number of tips and reminders when establishing school-wide literacy supports in a school.
Final Thoughts
Implementing a school-wide intervention block is a powerful way to support all learners, but it requires careful planning and iteration. By piloting the approach, defining clear goals, using data-driven decisions, and ensuring a structured yet flexible framework, schools can create an intervention system that truly meets students' needs.
If your school is considering intervention blocks or refining an existing system, these lessons learned can provide valuable insights.
Please reach out to share your insights, challenges, and triumphs along with your questions, resources or suggestions related to establishing intervention blocks. Connect with us at or .