The Reading Intervention Center is a program of the School Psychology Graduate Program at CWU. If you have questions about the Reading Intervention Center please contact Dr. Heath Marrs, Faculty Director.
What is the Reading Intervention Center?
The Reading Intervention Center provides assessment and intervention services for children in Kindergarten through 4th grade who may be experiencing difficulties in reading and literacy development. The Center is a service of the graduate program in School Psychology at Central Washington University. Services are provided by graduate students under the supervision of school psychology faculty. All services are provided free of charge as a service to the community.
With the disruptions in learning as a result of the pandemic, many children may be experiencing difficulties in reading. Initial research on the impact of the pandemic has found that many students may have missed important learning experiences that may have impacted the development of foundational academic skills. A primary goal of the Reading Intervention Center is to provide families with assessment and tutoring support to help them address their child’s needs during the crucial elementary years. In addition, the Center seeks to serve children with various learning challenges who may have missed out on crucial learning experiences and or interventions during the pandemic.
Services Available:
Diagnostic Assessment:
A variety of diagnostic assessment services are available through the center. Brief assessments of current skill development in various areas of reading are typically given when a student begins with the Center. These brief assessments provide initial information about skill development in various areas of reading including phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. In addition, screenings for other academic skills are also available (writing, mathematics). Children who have been previously identified as having a learning disability or other disability as well as students without special needs are welcome to access services through the center.
Tutoring:
Tutoring is also available through the Center in order to provide targeted practice on needed reading skills. Tutoring is provided on a regular schedule by graduate and/or undergraduate students using evidence-based interventions for the particular needs of the student. Many students who are falling behind in reading benefit from additional, targeted practice opportunities on a regular basis to supplement their school learning. Tutors will work directly with students and also provide parents/caregivers with resources for providing additional practice opportunities at home.
Prior to beginning tutoring, a screening will be given to find student strengths and needs. For many students, the Sound Partners intervention program will be an appropriate intervention. In a typical session, tutors will engage with your child in a fun activity and also work through reading lessons from the Sound Partners intervention, which is an evidence-based intervention for struggling readings. Tutors will work with students on phonological awareness (the sounds of language) tasks, blending and segmenting sounds, letter-sound matching, writing, and beginning reading.
Additional information about Sounds Partners and research evidence supporting effectiveness is available here:
https://www.voyagersopris.com/literacy/sound-partners/overview
Help with working on skills at home
Good learning happens when practice is spaced out over many short learning sessions rather than all at one time. Sound Partners has been carefully designed to provide children with practice opportunities for key skills spaced out over multiple days a week. If families would welcome practicing skills at home, assistance is available to set up a program to supplement the regular tutoring at the center. As a part of the program tutors will provide families with materials for short practice throughout the week. Tutors will also provide training and support.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Where is the Center Located?
The Reading Intervention Center is located on the 2nd floor of the Psychology Building in room 217. The Psychology building is located on the corner of Dean Nicholson Blvd. and Walnut street directly across the street from Nicholson Pavilion and the CWU Football stadium.
When is the Center Open?
During the 22-23 Academic year the Center will be open on Mondays through Thursdays from 4-7 pm. For students receiving tutoring services, a consistent time and day will be scheduled for tutoring. Students can receive 1 to 4 times per week depending on individual needs.
Are there charges for the services?
No, services are offered for free as a service to the community.
How do I sign up for services?
If you would like to sign up for services, please fill out this form:
https://cwu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ddkG5nmHiQlCAt0
If you have questions about services please contact Daphne Elias, Graduate Assistant for the Reading Intervention Center, at Daphne.Elias@cwu.edu.
You may also contact Dr. Heath Marrs, Faculty Director, and Heath.Marrs@cwu.edu or 509-963-2391.
Are you able to provide intervention for other skills such as math and writing?
Yes, although our primary emphasis is reading development, we are able to assess for skills in other academic areas and provide intervention services.
What should I bring to a first session?
Any information about your child’s academic skills and performance would be helpful for assessing your child’s current skills and needs for intervention. Any test results, report cards, teacher reports, or examples of school work they have completed would be helpful.
School Psychology Research Team 