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Supportive Pathways to Academic Resilience and Knowledge (SPARK) Program

The Supportive Pathways to Academic Resilience and Knowledge (SPARK) program is part of the Academic Skills Center (ASC), which coordinates a diverse network of student services.

The first year of college is a year of transition, and the need for independence and self-confidence must be balanced with the development of successful strategies for learning and self-advocacy. SPARK is specially designed to assist first-year and second-year students with learning disabilities, ADHD, or autism spectrum diagnoses.

Students in the program will be enrolled in regular classes but supported individually with structured academic coaching and weekly one-on-one sessions. During the first year, participants will meet individually with a learning specialist who will introduce and review strategies that meet their specific needs. The learning specialist and ASC staff will act as advocates for the student and mentor them as they develop self-advocacy skills.

Near the end of the first year, support becomes less intensive as students achieve a level of independence for their specific needs. Students can continue to participate in SPARK during the second year with less intensive once-per-week sessions. As students matriculate into the third and fourth years, the ASC staff holds an open-door policy to accommodate students as needed.

Program Features and Levels of Support

  • Guidance on transition to college
  • Support in using college accommodations
  • College survival skills and use of college resources
  • Time management and organizational strategies
  • Memory, note taking, and test-taking strategies
  • Personal development skills
  • Self-esteem and self-advocacy
  • Stress and anxiety

Tier 1 (First-year Students)

This level offers the most comprehensive program for students who need intensive academic support. Students will meet three times per week with a learning specialist to foster development of meta-cognitive skills, independence, and work to strengthen self-confidence and self-sufficiency. A fee of $1,581 is charged per semester for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Tier 2 (Second-year and Transfer Students)

This level offers less intensive support services. Students meet with a learning specialist up to 20 sessions per semester to review overall progress, note improvements and needs, and discuss available resources. This tier is designed for students who are ready to take control of their educational goals and manage daily tasks but who may need periodic support and encouragement. A fee of $588 is charged per semester for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Applying to the Program

Students applying for the SPARK program must complete the following process by July 1. The documentation can be mailed, emailed, or faxed to the addresses and numbers below.

  1. Complete the SPARK Application here or submit a copy via email
  2. Submit a current psycho-educational evaluation or re-evaluation, including a Wais-R (or other qualifying documentation) and one Teacher/Parent Input Survey
  3. Interview with the Learning Disabilities/SPARK Coordinator or the Director of ASC/Disability Services Coordinator

Submit materials to:

Dawn Shedlarski, FASP Coordinator
133 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 
(570) 208-8087
(570) 825-9049 (fax)
dawnshedlarski@kings.edu