Why New Vision Academy?

Why New Vision AcademyWHAT MAKES NEW VISION DIFFERENT FROM OTHER SCHOOLS –Our curriculum has been tried and proven to be very effective in teaching all the basic academic disciplines as well asinstilling Godly character into the lives of students. The reasons why our program works can be summarized in theseSeven Key Foundational Concepts: 1. Integration of Biblical Principles (Scripture memory, wisdom principles) 2. Godly Character Training (60 character traits of Christ, Character strips) 3. Mastery-Based Learning 4. Built-in Reinforced System of Learning 5. Individualized Learning 6. Development of Critical Thinking Skills 7. SocializationWith these foundational concepts being used now for over 40 years in America and around the world, it is, therefore,understandable why our curriculum is known as THE learning tool for today – and the future! 1. Integration of Biblical Principles Our curriculum, with its clearly identifiable Biblical goals, is its major strength. A God-centered, theistic philosophy is built into every PACE, where principles of Godly character and illustrations of desired character traits are sequenced in character strips and motivational forms. a. Scripture Truths and Memorization Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:11 KJV) Line upon line is a proven method of programming Biblical truths into students’ hearts (Isaiah 28:10). The Biblical truths contained in each memorized Scripture passage will guide each student when he is mature and more able to analyze and evaluate them. In each first through eighth level PACE, students memorize a Bible verse that illustrates the corresponding desired character trait. The Bible verse is found on the first page of each PACE. Several different activities used throughout the PACE help the student learn the verse. He must be able to quote the verse and its reference from memory before proceeding with the PACE Test. In the ninth through twelfth levels, the Scripture concepts are stressed just as the Scripture content was stressed in the first through eighth levels. In each PACE, students are required to do various activities with the Bible verse. This practice will help student learn the intended concept or principle. In addition to memorizing Scriptures in their PACEs, students learn to take responsibility for memorizing an assigned monthly passage. The monthly Bible memory selection is read in unison each morning in devotions and must be quoted for privilege status.New Vision Academy, A Ministry of NVA Ministries, Inc. Page 1

Why New Vision Academy Other optional Bible memorization programs include the Golden Apple Award (memorizing the entire Book of Proverbs), the Golden Harp Award (memorizing the entire Book of Psalms), the Golden Lamb Award (memorizing the entire Book of John), and the Christian Soldier Award (memorizing the Books of Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians). These awards are presented at the end of the year awards program and are also presented at the International Student Convention. b. Wisdom Principles (Wisdom Inserts) Upper-level English PACEs (1097 – 1144) include Wisdom Inserts containing Biblical principles that help students see life from God’s perspective. The basic theme of each insert is Wisdom – teaching teens how to walk with God through the 60 ideal character traits of Jesus Christ. The story line uses the characters Ace Virtueson and Christi Lovejoy to exemplify impeccable character. They are the role models for right (wise) living. Other characters like Booker, Hapford, J Michael, Matthew, Miriam, Racer, Reginald, Sandy, and Victor provide additional models for the typical teenager who struggles with feelings, temptations, lack of faith, authority, and priorities. Adults, such as Pastor Gentle, Coach Fairday, Grandfather Resource and Miss Content, provide wise advice and counsel to the teens. There is also an ethnic awareness quality that illustrates how various ethnic groups can live harmoniously as they walk in wisdom – responding to situations as Jesus would be Himself in human form on earth today. Two characters – Ronny and Susie – provide the unbiblical aspect of life. These two personalities appear throughout the inserts as examples of the consequences of unwise living. These 48 inserts give teens insights on love, faith, responding to authority, finding God’s will for their lives, dealing with abusive or indiscreet people, trusting God, and learning to walk in wisdom and in truth.2. Godly Character Training Ongoing character training in the curriculum program is extended to the student from several sources. From daily examples of Godly living: a. PACE Characters Biblical principles, Godly character traits, character strips, and activities help student learn to interact productively in society. Within the curriculum, these things focus attention on responsibility, character, and self-discipline. From the character strips, Biblical principles of life are built into the lives of the students, who relate to the various characters and want to emulate their good character qualities. The stories illustrate the Biblical principles emphasized in the PACEs. The cast of characters is constant, but they grow in age and ability as students progress through the PACEs. Students identify with the characters, learn from the examples they set, and internalize the Godly character traits. This unique feature enhances traditional family values, moral principles, and adds a more personal, human touch. Three communities are depicted: Highland, Harmony, and Heartsville. As the story unfolds PACE by PACE, students become familiar with and learn to love the characters as they come to life through the everyday experiences illustrated in the character strips. A look at the lives of the characters soon reveals why students read the character strips so avidly.New Vision Academy, A Ministry of NVA Ministries, Inc. Page 2

Why New Vision Academyb. 60 Character Traits The 60 character traits as demonstrated in Jesus Christ, the world’s foremost example of how man ought to live, are included in the PACEs. These character traits, with definitions and Scripture references, are used throughout each level of the curriculum. They are presented in poems, songs, role – modeling character strips, inspirational nuggets, and activities. In each PACE, the student is required to memorize aBible verse that teaches the corresponding character quality. For a complete list of character traits,definitions, and Scriptures, refer to the document titled “60 Character Trait Objectives”.The 60 Character Traits are –Appreciative Creative Fearless Merciful Responsible Flexible Observant SecureAttentive Decisive Forgiving Optimistic Self-Controlled Friendly Patient SincereAvailable Deferent Generous Peaceful Submissive Gentle Perseverant TactfulCommitted Dependable Honest Persuasive Temperate Humble Prudent ThoroughCompassionate Determined Joyful Punctual Thrifty Kind Purposeful TolerantConcerned Diligent Loyal Resourceful Truthful Meek Respectful VirtuousConfident DiscerningConsiderate DiscreetConsistent EfficientContent EquitableCooperative FairCourageous Faithful From the academic program’s Biblical foundation: The School Staff are loving, patient, encouraging, motivation, and fair. Parents love, encourage, and offer Godly behavior as a pattern to follow PACEs are based on the Word of God. Each PACE stems from a Biblical foundation and teaches students the manner in which to work and live. Monthly memory passages and the Bible verses in each PACE guide the students’ actions and attitudes. The daily devotion time in opening exercises focuses students on how Jesus taught us to live. A weekly chapel time provides opportunity for the pastor and others to challenge students to live by Biblical principles.3. Mastery – Based Learning Studies describing academic problems that students experience in conventional public schools reveal curriculum weaknesses between third and fifth grades. Junior and senior high school dropouts are usually academic dropouts by the fifth grade. If a student’s academic ability is deficient by the fifth level and is not remedied, it usually becomes chronic and permanent.A student’s academic problems generally occur in this order: reading, mathematics, and then language. When aphonetics base is laid and reading mastery is achieved, most language problems are easily resolved. The sameprinciple used to achieve reading mastery can be applied to problems in mathematics – solid foundations mustbe established. If the student builds a good base in reading, language and mathematics skills, he can usuallyachieve independently in later years.New Vision Academy, A Ministry of NVA Ministries, Inc. Page 3

Why New Vision Academy In conventional methodology, especially in the teaching of sight reading, a student may be exposed to material prematurely and not have the capability to learn it. When the same material comes around in the curriculum spiral, he has another opportunity to learn it. For some academic details, this is acceptable, but not for the basics – the tools with which all other academics are built. In New Vision’s program, the basics are sequentially introduced, beginning with Kindergarten with Ace and Christi and continuing throughout the first four levels of the curriculum program. Each student is required to master each fundamental tool before proceeding to new material. The student builds confidence as he gains a firm understanding of sequential foundational skills. A conventional classroom teacher must of necessity address the average student. However, a much broader approach is necessary if the above – or below – average student is to learn effectively. The curriculum focuses on meeting the precise needs of all students: those of the slow student (around 60 IQ), the average student (around 100 IQ), and the brilliant student (around 140 IQ. In New Vision’s program, each student is met at his individual performance level, and then advances through the curriculum at his optimum rate of achievement.4. Built – In Reinforced System of Learning Students’ learning is reinforced by the unique computer-controlled vocabulary of the curriculum. Great care is taken to ensure that no student is exposed to a word that might hinder his grasp of academic mastery. When an academic concept calls for a new term, the word is introduced, color-coded in the text, used in an activity, reviewed, and repeated often to facilitate mastery. The core curriculum is replete with full-color drawings, photographs, and illustrations that add interest and reinforce the text. Maps, charts, and time lines are included to facilitate mastery learning. These visuals are carefully selected to provide spatial and chronological orientation for students. Moreover, motivational aspects have been added. To reinforce and ensure learning, PACEs include activity questions covering the material presented. Students read a portion of text, complete activities, and then are tested over that portion. At appropriate levels, cognitive (thought) questions are presented to stimulate the child’s mind. The child is guided into right thinking, including logic and Biblical principles. Periodically throughout a PACE, Checkups are presented to reinforce and help the student recall what has just been studied. At the end of a PACE, a Self Test is presented, providing the student an opportunity to measure what he has learned. When the student has successfully completed the Self Test, he is allowed to take the PACE Test under supervision the following school day. This system of reinforcement through questioning, Checkups, Self Test, and final PACE Test has proven to be a sound and effective means of ensuring mastery of academic material.5. Individualized Learning Perhaps the greatest academic feature of our curriculum is that students may progress through the PACE at their own rate. Because the curriculum is truly individualized, students learn the best way – individually. They learn essential academics and explore truths about God and His world without being pressured to keep up with a group.New Vision Academy, A Ministry of NVA Ministries, Inc. Page 4

Why New Vision Academy 6. Development of Critical Thinking Skills New Vision’s program includes specific forms of material and format that aid the student as he develops his capacity for critical thinking throughout his school years. He is encouraged in his ability to think creatively and independently with a Biblical framework. The program is designed to progress students through all six phases in the development of critical thinking skills: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.THE RESULT OF NEW VISION ACADEMY – 1. Effects on Students Although other publishers have marketed academic curriculum, no one has produced a life-changing character package like our curriculum program. Children’s minds develop best in a God-centered environment of absolutes and love. They emerge with a sweet attitude and with a greater, richer concept of God and how He wants them to live. 2. Academic Achievement Academic achievement is one of the greatest strengths of our program. Graduates from this program are attending more than 2,000 colleges and universities globally with outstanding performance. Conventional educational programs take the student through a spiral of material while introducing him to new skills in sequence. Since students are grouped chronologically, they are locked-stepped and receive the same material at the same time. However, students do not necessarily all have the same level of maturity as others of their chronological age, and their natural learning rates are not lock-stepped with other students. As the group uniformly passes from skill to skill in the spiral, the students’ actual learning is relative and their achievement varies. The result is that the above-average student may master the skill the first time he is exposed to it, the average student may pick up part of it, and the below-average student will often grasp only a minimum amount or fail to understand it entirely. As the spiral continues, some students stay out in front while others are left behind for a season (or for good). New Vision’s program is designed around a new format: that of building skill upon skill. The scope and sequence ignore the concept of grade level and moves with continuous progress beginning with the first skill to be mastered. Depending on their ability and motivation levels, students may move ahead rapidly or rake as long as necessary, but each student masters the material. Students are not locked into a group, but progress through the skills as they are mastered. As the student moves upward, level after level, and moves into new concepts, he is far better prepared to learn because he has mastered the skill on the previous level. He does not advance until he has mastered each concept. He is not lock-stepped with his classmates, but is learning individually and completely before advancing. New Vision’s program implements a unique and effective system. Because our program is individualized and non-graded, it allows each student to work at his own level of achievement, which may vary from subject to subject. The entire curriculum is subdivided into four areas: reading programs, core curriculum, required electives, and additional instruction programs.New Vision Academy, A Ministry of NVA Ministries, Inc. Page 5