This graduate course is designed to help educators develop theoretical and practical knowledge of effective, research-based assessment and intervention for striving readers of all ages who have reached an early-third grade level, but whose reading abilities are below grade level expectations. The course follows a "practicum model," in which participants build a conceptual framework for reading development and effective intervention through a mentored clinical experience.

The course is open to all educators, including but not limited to: university education students, classroom teachers, reading specialists, special educators, administrators, paraprofessionals, and English-Language-Learner (ELL) personnel.

The intervention model for this course, Higher Steps℠, is a compilation of effective, research-based assessment and intervention techniques, designed for students experiencing reading difficulties.

Through tutoring, observations, discussion, reading and attendance at clinical sessions, participants will be expected to extend their knowledge of the following topics: reading development, phonological awareness, word identification, synthetic blending, decoding by analogy, basic English syllable structure, automaticity, fluency, assisted reading at instructional level, building/activating background knowledge, comprehension strategies, textual scaffolding, motivation, assessment for instructional level, and using curriculum-based assessment as a guide for pacing instruction.

Most importantly, participants will be expected to use their knowledge of these topics as they provide ongoing, one-on-one assessment and intervention for at least one striving reader.

All persons working with students at our Murray site or in field schools where they are not employed are required to provide the UURC with documentation of clearing a criminal background check. You may provide this documentation to the UURC via email, land mail, or by bringing it to the office. Participants who do not meet this requirement by the course deadline will not be allowed to work with students. START THIS PROCESS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE; IT MAY TAKE WEEKS TO COMPLETE!

If you are practicing educator, it is likely that you have already completed this process and have a record of such on the USOE CACTUS system. Visit the following website to view your records and obtain documentation: https://www.uen.org/cactus/logon.do. If the CACTUS system states that you do not need a background check at this time, please provide the UURC with that CACTUS message, and a copy of your current Utah educator license.

If you are a University of Utah student, you should use the USOE Online License System because USOE clearance within the last 3 years is required for all University of Utah education coursework (e.g., EDU 1010, admittance to the teacher certification programs). Instructions are provided at http://uite.utah.edu/background-check.php.

If you are neither a practicing educator, nor a University of Utah student, you must still provide documentation of clearance from the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (UBCI). Please check the following websites for the application and directions to complete this process:https://bci.utah.gov/criminal-records/criminal-records-forms/

You must also complete the U of U Youth Protection Training prior to working with students. This training may be completed on-line: contact youthprotection@utah.edu and you will be directed as to how to proceed.

Thank you for your patience with this process that protects our students!

To cancel your reservation, notify Holly Dean as soon as possible.

• If you cancel your reservation on or before May 27, 2025, a $50 processing fee will be deducted from your refund.
• If you cancel between May 28 and June 2, 2025, a $200 processing fee will be deducted from your refund.
• If you cancel on or after June 3, 2025, you will not receive a refund.