Leveling Up: How S.T.E.P. and Reading Plus Are Changing Lives
Williamson County, Texas
Glance around this classroom in Williamson County, Texas, and it may appear utterly ordinary. A soft click of keyboards, a hum of sustained focus. Students sit at computers, eyes tracking words across the screen as they work through their Reading Plus lessons during “Level Up” time, a daily intervention block.
But this isn’t just any classroom, at any school. It’s the Successful Transition Education Program (S.T.E.P.), an alternative education campus serving juvenile justice-involved youth for all 12 school districts in Williamson County. And for these students, many of whom have struggled in traditional classrooms, this isn’t just another assignment. It’s a chance to build skills, confidence, and a future.
Leading with Belief
At the heart of S.T.E.P. is principal Tara Stewart. A longtime educator with 28 years of educational experience, Stewart has been at the helm of S.T.E.P. since 2020. Her philosophy? “Every student needs someone to believe in them.”
Stewart deeply understands the challenges many of her students have faced. “A majority have not had positive school experiences for one reason or another, or have been dismissed as ‘problem’ students,” she said.
“We start every day fresh—no matter what brought them here—and concentrate on personal growth and caring about themselves enough to make better choices.”
In addition to Stewart, S.T.E.P.’s talented faculty connect with students to create a healthy, positive learning environment. “We teach, encourage, and celebrate the values of respect, responsibility, reliability, relationships, and resilience in our students,” said Stewart.
Innovative Strategies That Engage Students
S.T.E.P. faculty work diligently to ensure that students leave with practical academic and interpersonal skills that prepare and support them in pursuit of their goals. About 65% of the population is served under Special Education or 504 plans, making differentiated learning essential. Reading Plus’s evidence-based, personalized instruction is a cornerstone of this approach, giving every learner the targeted support they need to close gaps and make measurable progress—no matter where they start.
“Reading Plus focuses on specific skills students are lacking and helps us fill in the holes that are difficult to target in traditional classes with dozens of students who need to stay moving along a pre-determined timeline,” said Stewart.
Reading Plus also addresses the many different learning styles that exist at S.T.E.P. “There is student choice involved, not just with activities but with topics. This is essential for student engagement!” said Stewart.
“Showing them that they can read even if they don’t know every single word pushes them to keep trying and not stop at obstacles. The program asks for student feedback on speed, etc. and that interaction allows students to feel involved instead of controlled.”
Another benefit of Reading Plus are the customized assessments. “Our student population is transient, so using programs that have initial assessments and customize to individual students’ needs allows us to measure growth no matter the length of time a student is enrolled,” said Stewart.
The Power of Motivation
S.T.E.P. uses an incentive program to build excitement and increase participation. “Students earn points for completing lessons, and points can be exchanged for a variety of prizes (food, time with the therapy dogs, trinkets, etc.),” said Stewart.
“Students who meet their goals can also earn a popcorn party. These incentives are cheap for us (or donated by community partners!) but the students work hard to earn them!”
From Struggling Reader to Collegiate Level: One Student’s Breakthrough
Stewart recalls an unforgettable story involving a fifth-grade student who struggled with reading and was eventually diagnosed with orthographic processing disorder.
By 7th grade, the student was reading at a collegiate level. “The most amazing part to me was that he dreaded reading when he came in, but very quickly was asking to get on Reading Plus during any free time he had!”
Turning Catch-Up into Confidence
Stewart says that many students are so engaged with Reading Plus, they ask to use the program during their free time. With tools like Reading Plus students aren’t just catching up—they’re leveling up. And for Tara Stewart and her team, that’s the ultimate success story.