UURC Tier II Small-Group Intervention: Higher Steps℠
Higher Steps℠ Triad Model
EDU 5761/6761-030 / EDU 5761/6761-040
Fall 2025
COURSE OVERVIEW
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℠ Triads, 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, 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.
This course fulfills the Tier II USOE requirement for the Reading Interventionist Endorsement.
See https://uurc.utah.edu/educators/interventionist.php for more information.
REGISTRATION AND FEES
To reserve your spot in this practicum, you must provide all requested information below and pay the tuition to the University of Utah Reading Clinic (UURC). Until we receive the tuition, your spot is not reserved. Please be aware that practica spots are limited, fill quickly and are allocated on a "first come; first served" basis.
Cost:
- EDU 5761-030/EDU 6761-030: $450, 3 credit/no credit grade.
- EDU 5761-040/EDU 6761-040: $550, 3 letter grade credits. [paper required]
To determine if either of these courses applies to your school district salary schedule or to your university education program, please consult the appropriate district and/or university advisors.
Pay with credit card
or you may mail a check for the registration fee to the address below.
BACKGROUND CHECK
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!
REQUIRED ATTENDANCE
Your attendance is of the utmost importance because the UURC has recruited striving readers to work with you every day.
If you are absent, the student does not receive intervention.
Participants must be present for:
- Training: Friday, August 22 - 11:00 - 2:00 p.m.
- Training: Friday, September 5 - 11:00 - 2:00 p.m.
- Training: Friday, September 19 - 11:00 - 2:00 p.m.
- Training: Friday, October 17 - 11:00 - 2:00 p.m.
- Training: Friday, November 14 - 11:00 - 2:00 p.m.
- and must complete 4 formal observations (3 with passing scores).
No exceptions!
Participants who do not meet these attendance requirements will not receive credit for the course.
CANCELLATIONS
To cancel your reservation, notify Trina Robbins as soon as possible.
- If you cancel your reservation on or before August 7, 2025, a $50 processing fee will be deducted from your refund.
- If you cancel between August 7 and August 14, 2025, a $200 processing fee will be deducted from your refund.
- If you cancel on or after August 15, 2025, you will not receive a refund.
LOGISTICS
Location:
- Meetings/tutoring will be held through Zoom.
Trainers:
- Trina Robbins - 801-265-3951, Trina.Robbins@utah.edu
Note: Each participant will need to prepare materials that must be brought to the first and all subsequent sessions. See course syllabus for details.
Registration Form
Please note: Your spot is NOT secured until we verify that your information is complete.
| First Name | Last Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Matt | Fields | Pending Tuition |