“The need for tutors was tremendous,” Bader said. “It still is today and if anything, the need is greater.”

According to Michigan Literacy Inc., 35 percent of all students by ages 15 to 17 are enrolled below their appropriate grade level. Additionally, nearly 22,000 students in grades 9 through 12 are required to repeat or are “retained” in a grade each year.

Bader started the program in 1985 while she still was a professor at MSU. She said that she’s seen a lot of students struggling with reading because they don’t have the resources that they need.
“Most students who are failing come from very poor families,” Bader said. “We see people who are bright but have not had a chance. In the United States of America, we can’t see something like this go on and not do something about it.”

Read to Succeed is offered to students in kindergarten through 12th grade at no cost to the student. Tutors meet with their students and read with them and work on vocabulary and writing skills.

Tutors involved with Read to Succeed can receive college credit for their time or work strictly as a volunteer, Bader said.

“It’s an absolute win-win situation for tutors and students,” said Patricia Williams, a Read to Succeed coordinator. “The students are trained with techniques by Dr. Bader. It allows MSU students to really make a difference in these children’s lives.”

Tutors are required to make a twice-a-week commitment to work individually with a student struggling with literacy, said Luke Alexander, an interdisciplinary studies and social sciences senior and former tutor for the program.

Williams stressed that Read to Succeed is accepting MSU students of all majors to be tutors.
“Everybody can teach, all you need is training,” Williams said. “You can really make a difference in these children’s lives. It looks good on your resume and it feels good too.”

Alexander worked as a tutor with the Read to Succeed program for several years and said he enjoyed his time there.

“The main focus of the program is reading,” Alexander said. “Most kids want to be there which is cool to see. It’s nice to see kids that age wanting to learn more.”

Bader said she understands the importance of the program and encourages anybody who is interested to get involved.

“I think we have the scores to prove that we have a successful program,” she said. “Volunteering with us is dangerous because you’re bound to get hooked on it.”

_For more information or if you would like to get involved, you can contact the Read to Succeed program at (517)420-1849 or by e-mail at literacy@msu.edu. _