Precious Perspective #9: Pause, Breathe, and Talk Intervention

Now that the rush has eased and the year is settling into its winter rhythm, this is a good moment for us, especially as moms, to pause, breathe, and talk about intervention.   

Progress reports have landed.  Formal and informal assessment scores have been released.  Teachers, aides, instructional support staff, and leadership are familiar with our children.   At this stage in the year, you finally have enough information to see your child through the eyes of the educators who work with them every day.  

I have to stress that this “viewpoint” is a biased view from the perspective of the educators.  It’s a helpful lens, but only one lens.   This should not be the only depiction of a child.  The value in this viewpoint is that it provides a data point, and it should be considered in planning next steps for the journey of your child’s educational career. 

As you gather your thoughts and gather your team, here are some anchor questions to ask yourself and your child’s educators:

• How does my child’s performance align or misalign with grade-level standards? 
• Based on my child’s data, would you consider that my child needs intervention(s)? 
• Which subject areas would best benefit my student in receiving intervention?
• Are the classes my child is currently enrolled in aligned to our long-term goals for my child’s educational career, whether that be graduation with a diploma, certificate of completion, or alternate diploma (for students with an IEP that meet the criteria detailed in the district policy)?
• Is my child demonstrating characteristics of a gifted student? 
• Explain the program design of the gifted class? Does this simply mean more work at a faster pace?  
• Are interventions offered to students in the gifted program?
• For students with an IEP, is it time to request an emergency IEP to discuss things such as progress on goals, communication, additional support/assessments, or a change of placement needed?  

Follow along with me as I share a smidget of insight into School Business Finance for a second. In California, Average Daily Attendance(ADA) is the average number of students who attend school each day.  It’s not just a headcount; it’s the currency of school funding; essentially, the financial bloodstream of school funding. Districts are paid based on attendance, not enrollment.  Schools watch ADA closely because it influences budgets, staffing, and what programs can even exist.

For 2025–26, the base grant per ADA is approximately:

TK–3rd: $11,323

4th–6th: $10,411

7th–8th: $10,719

9th–12th: $12,746

Now, these are baseline figures; this number increases with extra funding for higher need student subgroups.

You may be thinking to yourself, “Why does this matter to me as a mom?

Schools are funded to serve your child.  So ask for what your child needs: interventions, assessments, and support. The resources exist because your child exists. Claim them without hesitation.  And be bold in your requests for interventions.

For early childhood parents, there’s a local resource coming to town in March 2026 through the Long Beach Early Childhood Education Committee called the LBECE Symposium.  If this is your stage in motherhood, this event is a bright little gathering space full of ideas, strategies, and inspiration for supporting our youngest learners.  Consider registering if you’re looking for intervention ideas for supporting the youngest learners.

While we are in the holiday season.  Really take some time to pay quality attention to your children.  Embrace how they are growing.  Consider their perspective and do not be afraid to guide them.   Children are shaped by navigating challenges with a steady adult nearby.   

As your children close out the end of 2025 with approximately 3 weeks left of school, identify what’s working and what’s not and make the appropriate adjustments in collaboration with your child’s education team.  This will ensure that 2026’s 19 weeks of school are not wasted, but instead reflect a maximization of resources to ensure your child’s best development.  

Until next time, remain grounded, mind clear, and in a warm orbit; we are moms juggling life, school, and the emotional weather that comes with being who you are. 

Marvel in Motherhood!

Sincerely,

Precious Young 

@erinshugsfoundation