All programs and services in the NEKLS Knowledge Builders department are classified as educational or educational support.

Programs and services are inclusive, accessible, based upon an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) and available throughout the service area. Within the department there are programs for adults needing foundation education and/or seeking to enhance readiness for college or technical programs. There are also "work ethic" or "soft skills" programs for persons just entering the workforce or re-entering after an absence. The department also designs custom programs for employers and schools seeking primary or auxiliary services for at-risk youths. K-12 tutorials are available for schools and home school families. Knowledge Builders also offers two high school diploma programs and houses an approved GED testing center. Real time distance learning for adults and selected high school students, including a dual enrollment option which allows earning college credit, is also available.

Knowledge Builders is truly a comprehensive educational resource. Brief descriptions of the department's programs and services are listed below. Each listed program also has its own page that describes the service in more detail.

ADULT BASIC EDUCATION (ABE)
ABE offers adults the educational foundation necessary to complete a high school diploma or equivalency certification. Generally, adults successfully completing their individualized learning plans and as a result are well prepared for technical programs or post secondary (college). Math and reading comprehension are emphasized. Instruction is available in learning centers, work sites, student homes or at a community site. There is no charge for ABE services. Learn more about ABE...

THE ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM
NEKLS offers site based alternative education programs to junior and senior high schools in the NEKLS home service region that are custom designed to the school’s specifications.  The goal of the program is to provide referred students with a safe, low stress, high support learning environment.  When agreed upon, the program will incorporate a goal of return to the referring school.  As a result, designs may include student access to prior approved classes, events and activities at the referring schools.  Students referred to the program generally are at risk of dropping out because of life/school disruptions or alienation from the referring school’s social/academic mainstream.  Often, students enter with histories of inappropriate behavior, truancy and/or academic failure.  NEKLS does not offer alternative programs to students with severe behavioral issues and/or certain DSM diagnosed disorders.  Service costs generally are significantly lower than most similar programs. Learn more about Alternative Ed...

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL)
NEKLS offers speakers of languages other than English a complete ESL program that includes spoken language practice, classroom instruction, bilingual readers, scanners and community practice options. Services are available in learning centers, work sites, student homes or community sites. There is no charge for services.

CITIZENSHIP/CIVICS EDUCATION
The NEKLS adult basic education program has incorporated a citizenship/civics education unit into its ABE curriculum. This unit is designed specifically to assist persons seeking to become American citizens gain the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the mandatory citizenship examination. Instruction is available throughout the NEKLS service area. Generally, instruction occurs in learning centers on an individual and/or group basis. There is no charge for citizenship/civics education instruction.

MIGRANT EDUCATION
NEKLS provides Migrant Education services to Migrant families and children enrolled in schools. Services include in-class academic supplemental instruction, home visits, summer programs for children and families and cultural enrichment activities. Learn more about Migrant Education...

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
NEKLS is both a manager for school Twenty First Century (21C) programs and a designated provider of its own 21C after school program. NEKLS also offers after school recreational services and family activities at non-school sites. Learn more about 21st Century after school program...

TUTORIAL SERVICES
NEKLS offers individual academic tutorial services for students enrolled in public and private schools, adults, employer sponsored employee programs and agency referred individuals with learning challenges.NEKLS has been approved by the Vermont Department of Education as a provider of Supplemental Educational Services authorized to provide academic tutorials to eligible students pursuant to the federal No Child Left Behind Act (Section 1116 (e) (1)). All tutorial services are by contract or an individual fee-for-services basis.

HOME SCHOOL SUPPORT
NEKLS will develop supplemental academic programs for home schooled children. Services include academic enrichment, preparation for the G.E.D. and post secondary readiness. Some services are free, others require a fee.

EMPLOYMENT TRAINING
NEKLS contracts with employers for the custom design and delivery of employee education and training programs. Components include testing and assessment, interest inventory, ABE, computer literacy, job specific foundation instruction and training needs assessment. All services require a fee. NEKLS provides employee training services at sites suggested by the employer including the work site, an NEKLS learning center, a community site, employee homes, or through distance learning. NEKLS loans computers to participants. Employer site instruction is available from 7:00 A.M. until 11:00 P.M.

DISTANCE EDUCATION
NEKLS is lead partner in a multi-organization distance learning program. This system is designed to address the needs of persons unable to access educational programs at traditional sites and meeting times. The NEKLS distance education system offers students an array of instructional methodologies as well as diploma and certification options. Options include real time videoconferencing at multiple end-user sites, in-home computer siting (where line/wireless capacity permits), email, on-line instruction, course management software and SmartBoards. Telephone consultation and support is available during business hours. Learn more about Distance Education...

ADULT TECHNICAL EDUCATION
NEKLS oversees, under contract, an adult services technical education program for the North Country Career Center located in Newport, Vermont. Services include; providing consultation to employers, conducting regional needs assessments, developing a comprehensive menu of employment readiness and vocational trainings and courses, hiring instructors, coordinating with post secondary institutions, and developing and offering distance learning courses. Learn more about the Career Center...

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA/EQUIVALENCY PROGRAMS
The Vermont Department of Education has approved NEKLS as a G.E.D. testing center.  NEKLS tests weekly at its various learning centers and on an emergency basis at almost any time.  It also offers French and Spanish language testing and accommodations for those with special needs.  A fee of twelve dollars ($12.00) is required for each test.  There are five G.E.D. tests. Learn more about GED...  

NEKLS in cooperation with participating high schools offers a credit based high school diploma program called Dropout Recovery.  Upon approval by the participating high school, students who have exited that school without graduating may earn a diploma from that high school.  All instruction is provided by NEKLS.  Instruction assures mastery of the credit courses necessary to meet diploma requirements.  Students demonstrate mastery by testing, presentation, portfolio, or in combination.  Upon certification by the high school of mastery and completion of the required credits, the student will receive a high school diploma.  The Dropout Recovery program does not require a fee. Learn more about Dropout Recovery...

NEKLS has been designated by the Vermont Department of Education as an approved Vermont High School Completion Program (HSCP) service provider and broker.  Eligibility for enrollment in the HSCP is limited to persons between the ages of sixteen and twenty-two who did not finish high school.  All regional public high schools participate in this program. Learn more about HSCP...

COMPUTER LITERACY
NEKLS offers computer instruction from introduction to intermediate level skills. Courses are designed to provide students with no computer experience the skills necessary to utilize NEKLS instructional software and access the internet. Students also learn about internet resources and cautions. For individuals requiring skills beyond the basic level, NEKLS has developed programs designed to teach the skills necessary for specific applications as well as to advance the student to an intermediate proficiency level. All NEKLS learning centers have computers and internet access. All teachers providing field or home instruction have laptops to bring to the learning site. Student loaners are also available. There is no charge for basic computer literacy instruction or for student loaners. Generally, a fee is assessed for intermediate and skill specific instruction.

CHILDCARE
NEKLS offers childcare at selected learning centers. The NEKLS childcare program is Vermont licensed. The program follows a social-emotional growth format. Curriculum is child centered with consistent individual and group interaction between staff and children. Fees for childcare services vary but generally are four ($4.00) dollars per hour and twenty-two ($22.00) dollars per day. NEKLS is licensed to serve children between the ages of three and eight. Free transportation to and from NEKLS childcare sites is available upon demonstration of need.

PARENT AND FAMILY EDUCATION
NEKLS offers program specific family education services and has incorporated the family strengths model into all of its educational services. The NEKLS program is unique in that it has added a curriculum unit designed to introduce recent immigrants to American culture and institutions. NEKLS also offers services specifically designed for Migrant families. Both the ABE and Migrant Education programs have added a parenting education unit to their basic curriculum. NEKLS also offers parents the opportunity to have early childhood professionals observe their children and make recommendations and when appropriate suggest options to assist parents in addressing child behavior and social development challenges. Psychological assessment and counseling services are also available through professionals contracting with NEKLS or referral to other agencies. All counseling services are on a fee-for-service basis. Generally, there is no charge for observation.

INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, PART C PROGRAM
NEKLS provides all Part C services authorized for families with children under the age of three who are medically fragile or exhibit symptoms of or risk of development delay.  This program, the Family, Infant and Toddler Program, serves families in Caledonia and Southern Essex counties. Learn more about Family Infant Toddler Program...

CUSTOM DESIGNED INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS
NEKLS will design to contractor specifications individual, group or employee programs. Custom design programs require a contractual agreement. Such designs can include assessment, class and practice options, individual, group or distance instruction, an outcome based goal statement or an evaluation or student satisfaction component. Equipment and instructional resources generally are provided by NEKLS. However, when the design is specific to a task, job or field, contactors may be expected to provide certain equipment that would not ordinarily be available to NEKLS.

CORRECTIONS EDUCATION
NEKLS provides ABE instruction to persons incarcerated within facilities of the Vermont Department of Corrections (DOC), under home confinement or under the supervision of Probation and Parole. NEKLS also provides parenting and family education services to the children and adult family members of persons who are incarcerated. There is no charge for any DOC educational services.

TRANSPORTATION
No cost transportation is available to students and families enrolled in Knowledge Builders programs.

INTERPRETER SERVICES
NEKLS maintains a resource list of interpreters. This service accesses educator and human services professionals to highly qualified, experienced translators who offer services on a contract basis. The resource list also links to a registry maintained by another organization which can access those needing translators to persons speaking almost any non-English language.

ASSESSMENT AND TESTING
NEKLS has been designated by ACT, Inc. as an ACT Center. The purpose of ACT Centers is "to help institutions serve the communities, individuals and business by offering state-of-the-art testing and training services...". NEKLS as an ACT Center offers certification and licensure testing for professional associations and public entities in numerous professional, educational and vocational programs. Currently, NEKLS operates three testing centers in three different Vermont communities.
In addition to its status and an ACT center, NEKLS also has been licensed by ACT to offer the Work Keys readiness assessment. This nationally recognized instrument measures readiness for entry into technical/vocational programs as well as readiness for post secondary enrollment. The purpose of Work Keys is to identify for the student both skill strengths and skill improvements needs. In so doing, it helps the student attain the educational skills foundation necessary for successful entry into and completion of the educational or vocational program. The ability of Work Keys to assess readiness in two functional areas is unique.
In addition to ACT testing, NEKLS offers achjevement and related testing on a client specific, fee-for-service basis. This service is available only through the NEKLS learning centers in Newport, VT and St. Johnsbury, VT.

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