Center for the Study of Education and Poverty (C-STEP)

The Education Program of the University of Washington, Tacoma has established the Center for the Study of Education and Poverty (C-STEP). Through this center we will work to relieve the negative impact of poverty on the educational development of the students in the South Puget Sound region.

This center will foster partnerships between the faculty of the Education Program and other units at UWT, local educational authorities (schools, districts, educational service districts) and community-based organizations to collaborate in scholarly activities toward this end.

Mission Statement

To identify and promote instructional strategies and positive learning environments that will bring academic success in the educational experience of children impacted by poverty.

Objectives

• To positively impact the academic and social development of children in poverty in the South Puget Sound schools.
• To encourage scholarship in investigating the relationship between poverty and teaching and learning.
• To encourage scholarship in the investigation of the role of school leadership in reducing the negative impact of poverty on academic success.
• To coordinate and focus research and inquiry and facilitate the exchange of research-based information through in-service meetings, conferences, courses, and publications.
• To become a resource center to the P-12 community in the development of curricula and programs in the education of poor children.

Faculty involved consist of all members of the UWT Education Program

Dr. Ginger MacDonald, Director and Professor
Dr. Kathleen Beaudoin, Assistant Professor
Dr. Gregory Benner, Assistant Professor
Dr. Laura Feuerborn, Assistant Professor
Dr. Annette Henry, Professor
Dr. Robert Howard, Associate Professor
Dr. Diane Kinder, Professor
Dr. Richard Knuth, Assistant Professor
Dr. Belinda Louie, Professor
Dr. José Rios, Associate Professor
Dr. Marcy Stein, Professor
Dr. Matthew Weinstein, Associate Professor

In line with the interdisciplinary nature of UWT, we work with faculty from other disciplines across the campus.

C-STEP Services

Local Partnerships: Partnerships with local educational authorities (LEAs) to write grants focusing on reducing the achievement gap between children of means and children of poverty.

State Partnerships: Partnerships with state agencies for consulting on other school improvement projects where poverty seems to be a significant contributor to school success.

Research Literature Review: Faculty, staff, and students are involved in a process of collecting research and literature reviews on the issues of poverty and education. They are leading discussions on how we might modify our program which will eventually yield a more informed teacher, principal, or district leader. See individual tabs on this webpage to access this ongoing critical reference list.

Guest Speakers: C-STEP sponsors two lectures per year, open to the South Sound community on related issues.

Speaker's Bureau: We are able to help groups find a guest speaker on topics relevant to education and poverty.

Supplemental Services: We are an approved supplemental services provider for low achieving students through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.