About Step-Up

The Step-Up Early Intervention reading program is a curriculum that provides students with one-on-one instruction in basic reading readiness skills. This instruction usually takes place sometime during the kindergarten year.

• The Step-Up program was started in the summer of 2002 to meet the needs of children and assist them in becoming an early reader.
• The Unit 5 reading specialists developed the materials for the Step-Up curriculum based on research of other programs being used across the state.  

How does Step-Up work?

The following steps are taken initially to determine which students will be eligible for the Step-Up program:

• Students are identified using a routine assessment.
• The reading specialist and  classroom teacher collaborate to determine eligibility.
• Parents are notified of the student's eligibility.

The following services are provided through the Step-Up program:

• Students receive individual instruction on reading readiness skills with the reading specialist.
• Step-Up lessons are provided on a daily basis for approximately 12 weeks in addition to the regular curriculum.
• When a student completes the Step-Up curriculum, the classroom teacher will monitor the student's continued progress.

Family involvement is a key component to the Step-Up program.  Parents are true partners in their child's learning.  The connection between home and school is encouraged in many ways:

• Monthly newsletters
• Activities sent home by the reading specialist
• Parent Information meetings
• Family Fun Nights
• Parent Advisory Council
• SHARE time activity packets throughout the year.

What should I know about Step-Up?

It can improve reading!!

Step-Up can help:

Children...

Build the skills needed to become a reader.

Parents...

Support their child's development of early reading skills.

Teachers...

Reinforce reading readiness skills.