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ILS Programs and Services

NOVA PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The NOVA Program is a completely individualized, learning-based, adult, career education and employment program created by ILS to provide an innovative, cost-effective alternative to conventional education.

(View the NOVA Program Overview  (PDF) that can be used for marketing purposes. Also available as a Word Document.)

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, students 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 students’ 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. 

ILS Nova CyclePROGRAM 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 students work to achieve their other career education goals.

1. To improve student self-worth, self-confidence and independence.
2. To help students accept responsibility for their own career education.
3. To facilitate student development of a positive work ethic. 
4. To define career objectives.
5. Learning skills must measure at or above the low average level.

6. Reading level must measure at or above the 9th grade skill mastery level, and reading comprehension at or above 7th grade level.
7. Vocabulary skills must measure at or above 11th grade level.
8. To complete the Basic Writing course and prepare an effective resume.
9. Math skills must measure at or above the 8th grade level.
10. To earn a high school diploma or pass the GED test.
11. To learn how to interview for a job.
12. To identify and eliminate barriers to employment.
13. To obtain a career entry-level position in accordance with your defined career objectives. 

DIAGNOSTIC TESTING 

Diagnostic testing determines placement of students within the program and indicates: 

1. The communication style of a student.
2. If a student has learning problems associated with memory recall caused by substance abuse or emotional trauma.
3. If a student has learning problems to what degree: moderate, severe, or extreme.
3. If a program student is a visual or auditory learner.
4. The reading, reading comprehension, and vocabulary levels of a student.
5. The academic level of a student (English and math).
6. If a student has any learning gaps, and, if so, what.
7. The vocational aptitude and interests of a student. 

Subsequent to completion of diagnostic testing, students are individually placed into the program at a level where they can successfully perform. As a student works at his/her own rate and progresses through the program, he/she is monitored by the staff of the career education center to ensure his/her success. 

LEARNING COMPONENTS 

The NOVA Program consists of six modular learning components specifically designed to enable students to achieve their defined program goals. 

1. Learning Skills Improvement 

Many students 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 students 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 students 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 students are able to complete it within six to eight weeks.

Subsequent to completing the Learn-to-Read course, students 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 students. 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 student's vocabulary level from a seventh grade level up through college level. Vocabulary Improvement is a computer-based tutorial course that students complete at their own rate. 

3. Writing Skills Improvement 

Writing Skills Improvement consists of Basic Writing, Learn-to-Type and Spelling Skills Improvement. All students 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 students 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. 

4. Math Skills Improvement 

Math Skills Improvement consists of five math workbooks and supplemental drill and practice software. All students 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 they failed. The workbooks cover: (1) Basic Math, (2) Percentages, (3) Decimals, (4) Fractions, and (5) Pre-algebra. Supplemental drill and practice software is used to teach addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. 

5. High School Completion 

High School Completion consists of two courses of study: High School Diploma and GED Readiness. Students 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 students to prepare for the GED test. All GED materials are designed for students who test below a high school level. Course materials include software, workbooks, and videotapes. 

6. Career Employment Skills 

Career Employment Skills (CSI) provides a comprehensive and holistic approach for students to define and develop personal and career goals. During this phase of the program, students 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 student information obtained during their initial diagnostic testing, and how to work individually with students to assist in career development. Staff are taught how to identify student 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. students also learn interpersonal communications and problem-solving skills.

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 students 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 students that have had little or no
success gaining meaningful employment. Often students 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 students to successfully gain and keep employment by teaching them how the working world thinks and operates. Students learn how to identify their unique skills and interests so they can secure employment that matches their specific abilities. By combining quality education and employment with an emphasis on excellence, students in the NOVA Program are empowered and their self-esteem is improved.

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 students. ILS provides all the training and subsequent consultation necessary to ensure the client's on-going success. 

RESULTS 

  • 85% of the students 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 students who found employment either received raises or were promoted after one year

  • The average retention rate for students who remained on the job for one year is 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 on-going 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.