Generously funded by Mickey and Debbie Stern, the Stern Tutoring and Alternative Techniques for Education (STATE) Program works with students with learning disabilities & ADHD who are on academic probation, at risk of falling on probation, or having difficulties in their coursework. STATE provides disability-specific instructional, tutorial, and peer mentoring components as well as strategies for academic success.
The heart of the STATE Program is a weekly seminar on successful learning strategies, utilizing support services at MSU, assistive technology, and academic accommodations. STATE participants develop awareness, acceptance, critical thinking skills, and positive study habits necessary for academic excellence. MSU academic specialists facilitate a personalized experience that fosters growth and achievement of goals.
Another important piece of the STATE Program offers students individual tutoring in the course they identify as the most challenging. Students are also empowered to meet with their professors directly.
The STATE Program also includes peer mentoring. Each STATE participant is grouped into a team which is supported by each of the peer mentors. These mentors are students registered with RCPD who demonstrate academic success. Mentors attend each session of the seminar and are available to the STATE participants throughout the semester. Peer mentors are trained to build on students' knowledge while introducing new resources. STATE Program students may later become peer mentors, an experience that will further develop leadership skills.
Program participants are introduced to various assistive technologies, such as Read & Write, Dragon Dictate, and e-books. Students receive instruction in the use and application of assistive technologies that improve reading and writing performance.