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NOVA PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The NOVA Program is an individualized, learning-based, adult, education and employment program developed by Innovative Learning Systems (ILS) to provide an innovative, cost-effective alternative to conventional education. (View the NOVA Program Overview for a summary which can be used for marketing purposes.) APPLICATIONS 1. Detection and Improvement of Learning Problems (Associated with Substance Abuse and Emotional Trauma) 2. Adult Literacy 3. Improvement of Academic Skills (Reading, Writing, and Math) 4. High School Completion or GED Readiness 5. Development of Career Employment Skills All applications use computer-enhanced, self-instructional curriculum and mastery-based learning techniques. Because the NOVA Program was designed as an individualized program that places the emphasis on learning rather than teaching, program participants are able to assume responsibility for their own education. Using a continuous-progress approach with immediate positive feedback and rewards for accomplishment, the NOVA Program dramatically improves the participants’ self-worth and self-confidence. Because the program was designed to ensure that all learning is practical and objectively measurable, the NOVA Program is also results-oriented. PROGRAM GOALS NOVA Program goals consist of 15 career education goals. The program has been designed so that the first three general goals are automatically accomplished as participants work to achieve their career education goals. 1. To improve participant self-worth, self-confidence and independence. 2. To help participants accept responsibility for their own career education. 3. To facilitate participant development of a positive work ethic. 4. To define career objectives. 5. To speak conversational English. 6. Learning skills must measure at or above the low average level. 7. Reading level must measure at or above the 9th grade level (skill mastery level), and reading comprehension at or above 7th grade level. 8. Vocabulary skills must measure at or above 11th grade level. 9. To successfully complete the Basic Writing course and prepare an effective resume. 10. Math skills must measure at or above the 8th grade level. 11. To master computer literacy skills, including word-processing, database management, spreadsheet calculations, and telecommunications. 12. To earn a high school diploma or pass the GED test. 13. To learn how to interview for a job. 14. To identify and eliminate any barriers to employment. 15. To obtain a career entry-level position in accordance with defined career objectives. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING Diagnostic testing determines placement of program participants within the program and indicates: 1. The communication style of a program participant. 2. If a participant has learning problems associated with memory recall. 3. If a program participant is a visual or auditory learner. 4. The reading, reading comprehension, and vocabulary levels of a participant. 5. The academic level of a participant (English and math). 6. If a participant has any learning gaps. 7. If a participant is computer literate. 8. The vocational aptitude and interests of a participant. Subsequent to completion of diagnostic testing, program participants are individually placed into the program at a level where they can successfully perform. As a participant works at his own rate and progresses through the program, he is monitored by the staff of the career education center to ensure his success. LEARNING COMPONENTS The NOVA Program consists of eight modular learning components specifically designed to enable program participants to achieve their defined program goals. 1. Learning Skills Improvement Many program participants have learning problems that hinder effective learning and injure self-esteem. Learning problems often result in poor reading and reading comprehension, and inferior analytical thinking skills. Frequently, poor memory and the inability to follow directions is apparent. Learning Skills Improvement consists of two courses of study for improving learning skills: Learning Skills Improvement and Analytical Thinking Skills. The Learning Skills Improvement (LSI) course is actually a therapy process which is used to treat the learning problems identified during diagnostic testing. This type of treatment, called Sensory Integration Training (SIT), is accomplished using a neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) process. The NLP process consists of a series of computer-based, multi-sensory, patterning exercises that program participants perform on a computer during 1-hour sessions, four days per week, for three months. The Analytical Thinking Skills course is an interactive tutorial course consisting of software used to improve analytical thinking skills. 2. Reading Skills Improvement Reading Skills Improvement (RSI) consists of Learn-to-Read, Reading Skills Improvement, Analytical Reading Skills and Vocabulary Improvement. All program participants who test below a sixth grade reading level must begin with the Learn-to-Read course. The Learn-to-Read course is a phonics-based software course. Although the course is designed for 12 weeks (one hour per day, five days per week), most participants are able to complete it within six to eight weeks. Subsequent to completing the Learn-to-Read course, program participants are placed into the Analytical Reading Skills course. Analytical Reading Skills is a software tutorial with selected reading assignments that is used to teach the mechanics of reading and to raise the reading level of participants. If necessary, the Reading Skills Improvement course, which consists of 66 interactive software lessons, can be used to improve reading comprehension. The Vocabulary Improvement course can be used to raise a program participant's vocabulary level from a seventh grade level up through college level. Vocabulary Improvement is a computer-based tutorial course that participants complete at their own rate. 3. Writing Skills Improvement Writing Skills Improvement consists of Basic Writing, Learn-to-Type and Spelling Skills Improvement. All program participants are required to complete the Basic Writing course, which includes selected workbooks with associated tutorial software, the Spelling Skills Improvement course, and a required writing project. For participants who have difficulty spelling the Spelling Skills Improvement course (SSI) offers various software tutorial lessons with drills in phonics and spelling. The SSI course is an interactive software tutorial consisting of two categories: Phonics Fundamentals and Spelling Drills. Subsequent to completion of Basic Writing, program participants may elect to take the optional Learn-to-Type course. The Learn-to-Type course consists of tutorial software used to teach program participants how to type and to improve typing speed. 4. Math Skills Improvement Math Skills Improvement consists of five math workbooks and supplemental drill and practice software. All participants who assess below 8.0 on any portion of the DST:Math are required to complete those workbooks that correspond to the portion(s) of the assessment that they failed. The workbooks cover: (1) Basic Math, (2) Percents, (3) Decimals, (4) Fractions, and (5) Pre-algebra. Supplemental drill and practice software is used to teach basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. 5. High School Completion High School Completion consists of two courses of study: High School Diploma and GED Readiness. Program participants who do not have a high school diploma are required to either earn a high school diploma or pass the General Educational Development (GED) test. The High School Diploma course consists of software and workbooks used to earn credits towards high school graduation. The GED Readiness course is a multimedia course used by program participants to prepare for the GED test. All GED materials are designed for participants who test below a high school level. Course materials include software, workbooks, and videotapes. 6. Career Employment Skills Career Employment Skills provides a comprehensive and holistic approach for program participants to define and develop personal and career goals. During this phase of the program, participants prepare a formal plan for achieving their life goals, and learn the job search skills necessary for success. Career Employment Skills includes special training for the staff of the sponsoring organization that teaches them how to evaluate participant information obtained during their initial diagnostic testing, and how to work individually with participants to assist in career development. Staff are taught how to identify participant strengths and abilities, and how to transfer the general principles learned from Basic Life Skills courseware into specific actions that will result in career employment. Staff are also taught how to share job search techniques and how to setup an employer cultivation program within their local community. Basic Life Skills consists of four software tutorial courses: Work Competency Skills, Community Life Skills, Personal Finance, and Consumerism. All four courses use multi-media materials designed to develop critical thinking skills and to provide the information necessary to be successful at home, on the job and in community. Program participants also learn interpersonal communications and problem-solving skills. Description of Career Employment Skills The Career Employment Skills (CES) learning component of the NOVA Program was developed by ILS in an effort to provide organizations with an effective means of preparing program participants for career entry-level employment. The result of combining education and employment within the NOVA Program is a fully integrated, comprehensive approach to long term stability. Prior to development of the CES component, ILS was frequently asked, "Now that our students have completed their educational goals, what do we do with them?" Preparation for employment is the logical answer. The Career Employment Skills component of the NOVA Program enables each client to customize the employment readiness function of their program to meet the specific needs of their organization. Organizations receive all the tools, training, and information necessary to effectively prepare their program participants for career entry-level employment. On-going professional consulting from ILS is subsequently available to ensure that the client's program remains current. Career Employment Skills was designed to target program participants that have had little or no success gaining meaningful employment. Often participants are felons, have a history of substance abuse, have been victims of domestic violence, or lack fundamental education. As a result of the choices they have made, and the environment in which they have lived, their frame of reference prevents them from succeeding in the workplace. The Career Employment Skills component prepares program participants to successfully gain and keep employment by teaching them how the working world thinks and operates. Participants learn how to identify their unique skills and interests so that they can secure employment that matches their specific abilities. By combining quality education and employment with an emphasis on excellence, participants in the NOVA Program are empowered and their self esteem is improved. Participant CES Goals 1. To obtain career entry-level employment. 2. To learn how to perform successfully on the job and become valuable employees. 3. To make a positive contribution to society. Summary of CES Program The Career Employment Skills component works because it uses standard industry knowledge that has been customized to meet the specific needs of each client's program participants. ILS provides all the training and subsequent consultation necessary to ensure the client's on-going success. RESULTS - 85% of the program participants that completed CES found employment or enrolled in a vocational training program or junior college - The average starting wage was $7.83 per hour - Two-thirds of the participants who found employment either received raises or were promoted - Since 1996, the average retention rate for program participants who remained on the job for one year was 78% SERVICES OFFERED BY ILS ILS provides a broad range of services for clients interested in the NOVA Program, ranging from a Requirements Analysis for establishing a Career Education Center (CEC) to ongoing service for maintaining current software and training at discounted prices. There is an annual convention in the fall of each year to keep all clients up-to-date on what is happening with the NOVA Program. Convention activities include a keynote address, seminars, workshops, demonstrations, panel discussions, a banquet, a worship service, and a sightseeing excursion. ILS also offers quality management services through Training Sessions and Workshops and Seminars for topics such as Business Operations, Trends in Education and Employment, Team Building, and Conflict Resolution. General business consulting is available on an hourly basis. View the NOVA Program Overview for a summary which can be used for marketing purposes. |
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