The Step-Up Program is a support program designed to meet the academic, social and developmental needs of academically underperforming students at PA Virtual.

The purpose of the Step-Up Program is to provide additional educational support to students in the areas of Math and/or Language Arts. Based upon academic data, standardized testing scores, teacher recommendation and Learning Coach consultation, students are placed in the Step-Up Program where they receive intensive small group instruction to close academic gaps, reinforce concepts, practice skills and boost confidence.

Our challenge is to help every child become successful, our goal is to include every Learning Coach in this process, and our commitment is to maintain a high level of academic excellence. It is the mission of the Step-Up Program to see that:

• Students receive additional support in the areas of Math and/or Language Arts.
• Students receive small group instruction to help prepare for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA).
• Students receive small group hands-on learning opportunities in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas.
• Students receive small group Blackboard Collaborate™ sessions in both Math and Language Arts.

A unique component to the Step-Up Program is the Hands On Learning Opportunities. The Step-Up Program utilizes three centers across the state, where Step-Up students and their families are invited to attend weekly face-to-face academic lessons with their Step-Up teacher. In addition to the academic instruction, Step-Up students are given enrichment activities, and have increased social opportunities, while Learning Coaches take part in informative Parent Learning Sessions as well as co-operative activities and ideas.

In addition to the Hands on Learning Opportunities, all Step-Up students are invited to participate in small group Blackboard Collaborate™ sessions. For these academic sessions, students are placed on academic teams, with their peers, meet on a regular basis with the Step-Up teacher and work on collaborative activities to increase their academic confidence.