Stepping Stones to Literacy is a tool for elementary school improvement teams to evaluate and strengthen their reading programs. Each Stepping Stone is a guided activity to stimulate reflection and guide systematic inquiry. It is a collaborative, active research approach to evaluation (Levesque & Hinton 2001). The goal is to eliminate the gap between what the school improvement team states it believes about good reading programs and classroom instruction and actual program practices that work well consistently. Each chapter introduces key elements of effective schoolwide reading programs with a brief description of research-based practices. These are followed by action guides, called Stepping Stones, that direct the improvement team's attention to critically evaluate the actual program practices going on in their building. These action guides then include directions for following up on program facets in need of improvement. Whether used in part or whole, as a formal part of improvement planning or an informal reflection guide, "Stepping Stones" can help school teams gather information essential both for understanding the gaps in implementation of their reading program and for developing plans that address such gaps. The ultimate goal, no matter which way the tool is used, is to help schools take decisive steps toward strong implementation of scientifically valid programs. The following chapters are included: (1) Schoolwide Reading Programs; (2) Establishing a Self-Study Leadership Team; (3) Describing the Core Program; (4) Instructional Research; (5) Time Management; (6) School Climate; (7) Professional Development; (8) Principal's Supervisory Classroom Observation; (9) Student Assessment; (10) Literacy Learning Environment; (11) School-to-Home Communication to Involve Parents; and (12) Putting It All Together. An appendix contains: Reading Instruction Classroom Observation Tool for Principals. A list of recommended resources is also included. [This report was produced by Learning Point Associates, North Central Regional Educational Laboratory.]