Center for Educational Initiatives

MISSION: Expansion of the Step by Step Program to be an educational model for Georgia.

GOALS: As an educational model, the Step by Step Program provides training in using democratic teaching strategies to teachers, administrators, parents, higher education faculties, government and community members.

OBJECTIVES:

• Increasing the number of schools using Step by Step methodology
• Establishing model sites
• Establishing inclusive classrooms
• Providing parent leadership training
• Increasing Higher Education involvement

The Step by Step program began in Georgia in 1997. Classroom based reforms are occurring in the following programs:

• Infant Toddler Program
• Preschool Program
• Primary School Program
• Higher Education Initiative

The program has expanded into 228 classrooms serving 6062 children. Five model preschool sites and two model primary sites opened in 2002. Two teacher training institutions are reforming the curricula to include Step by Step methodologies and principles. More than 899 teachers have been retrained and are using the methodologies in their classrooms. Children with special needs are taught along with their peers in the regular classroom. Staff reach out to refugee children and their families to make sure they are part of the Step by Step community.

SbS Georgia partners with the World Bank Social Investment Fund (SIF).