The University of ChicagoUrban Education Institute UChicago Impact

The STEP™ assessment gives literacy teachers the specific information they need about every single child in their class.
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STEP™ offers tools, training and certification that defines the pathway and tracks the progress of pre-kindergarten through third grade students as they learn to read using research-based milestones.

STEP™ enables educators to implement a developmental approach to teaching reading using evidence to inform instruction. STEP™ introduces targeted interventions for students who need extra reading support.

The University of Chicago Urban Education Institute (UEI) developed STEP™ over the last decade and continues to work with the University of Chicago Charter School and others in studying its impact. STEP™ is most appropriate for districts and networks implementing small group reading instruction and that are interested in the use of formative assessment data to drive instruction.

STEP™ includes:

• The STEP™ Assessment Kit: A toolbox that provides teachers with the materials necessary to administer the assessment. **Please Note: A signed agreement must be completed with the STEP™ Team before STEP™ Kits orders will be processed. Order STEP™ Assessment Kits »
• The STEP™ Data Management System: A powerful system for a district, network, principals and teachers to visualize school, student and teacher performance.
• STEP™ Training: is available in multiple training models to meet the needs of networks and districts, including: train the trainer, institutes, school-based and certification training, and ongoing sessions that support and guide users in optimal classroom literacy instruction.

Originally developed to support literacy learning in a small number of public schools, STEP™ has evolved into a powerful set of tools and training models being used in 21 states and 39 cities.