Category Archives: Education

New Language Classes Set to Begin January 15 at Maria Oliveira’s Language Learning Center

Winter Two term language classes begin January 15 at Maria’s Language Learning Center, with a variety of affordable conversational language classes, online courses, Spanish for healthcare and social services professionals, and a new class for business professionals who wish to learn basic Spanish. Specializing in conversational Spanish and Portuguese, including European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese, the Language Learning Center also provides classes in French, Italian, Mandarin, and English for Non-Native Speakers. Classes are primarily for adult learners, but there is also an after-school program for students between ages 7 and 11, with each term lasting six weekly sessions, at both day and evening classes.

“Our classes feature small groups of 10 or less students which provides more time for individual attention and faster learning”, explains Maria Oliveira, director of Maria’s Language Learning Center, located in Pinole, California. “We work closely with our students to guide them towards becoming bilingual, whether it is through a conversational language class, online options, or even our language classes for healthcare and social services professionals.”

New Classes for Business Professionals to Learn Basic Spanish
New this term is a six-hour class for business professionals who wish to learn basic Spanish language skills to better conduct business with their Spanish-speaking customers. Through this class, students will learn the vocabulary and phrases used to close a business transaction, Spanish greetings, frequently used expressions, and numbers to clarify prices. This learning will enable them to build trust with their Spanish-speaking customers and demonstrate an improved cultural awareness.

Also offered is the popular conversational Spanish classes for healthcare and social service professionals, which also provide the benefit of continuing education hours. The Healthcare Professionals class is a specialized and intensive course designed to enhance effective communication between patients and healthcare providers. For social services professionals and employees who interact with Spanish-speaking clients, the Spanish for Social Services Professionals class can improve communication with Spanish-speaking clients in screenings and interviews.

The Language Learning Center also offers online coursesworkbooks, and CDs for students. These materials can supplement their classroom learning through study aids such as practice lessons, self-tests with interactive exercises, quizzes, and audio clips to review correct pronunciations.

Recognizing that individuals learn languages differently, there are a variety of other programs offered to meet students’ needs, such as one-on-one instruction; learning groups that meet weekly; and free social hours for students to practice their language skills with teachers, fellow students, and bilingual guests. Maria’s Language Learning Center also has specialized English classes for non-native speakers, plus special classes on specific topics, such as classes on Spanish reflexive verbs and pronouns, for those students who need a review.

Informational Open House Scheduled for February 22, 2013
Be sure to attend this great opportunity to meet fellow students, talk with Maria and other teachers, ask questions, and even practice your language skills in a relaxed social setting. Learn about the Language Learning Center and its programs and enjoy light refreshments. The Open House will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Center at 2644 Appian Way, Suite 102, in Pinole, California. Bring a friend and if that friend registers for a class, you will receive a 10% discount on your registration for a Fall Two session. The open house is free, but space is limited, so please rsvp on the website athttp://www.marialanguages.com/classes/socialevents.shtml.

Coming Up Summer and Fall of 2013: Study Abroad Program Combines Classes with Tours of Mexico and the Azores Islands
For those students who want to combine intensive language classes with tours, the Language Center offers a two-week Spanish and a three-week Portuguese Language Learning Immersion Program. Now in its tenth year, students attend formal classes from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and then spend afternoons and weekends touring and practicing their new language skills. The Portuguese Language Immersion Program is planned for July 1-20, 2013 and takes place in the Azores Island and the Spanish Language Immersion Program is planned for later in the year, November 9-16, 2013, and is located in Nayarit, Mexico.

Register for Winter Two Classes Now!
Students can register for any program online, by phone, in person at our offices, or by mail. For more information, visit our website: http://www.marialanguages.com

The goal for all of the classes at the Center is to guide students towards becoming bilingual. We start by teaching basic phrases and sentences that become usable in a very short period of time; when success builds upon success, confidence grows and information becomes easier to absorb. Affordability, convenience, and an encouraging environment make Maria Oliveira’s classes the top choice for effective language learning in the Bay Area.

Contact Details: Maria Oliveira Language Learning, 2644 Appian Way, Suite 102, Pinole, CA 94564 Phone: 510-223-3320 http://www.marialanguages.com

HealthEdSolutions.com Launches Special Section: Your Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider Manual

Online Certification Provider Helps Healthcare Professionals and First Responders

Lincoln, NE, December 04, 2012 – Health Education Solutions (HES), a leading provider of online healthcare certification courses today announced that it has launched a new Provider Manual special section on its website at www.HealthEdSolutions.com. Intended to provide a quick refresher or act as a “cheat sheet” for providing lifesaving care, this special section includes overviews of information that healthcare providers and first responders would typically find in an advanced cardiac life support provider manual, a pediatric advanced life support provider manual, a basic life support provider manual or a CPR/AED/first aid provider manual.

“The need for qualified professionals who are certified in and knowledgeable about emergency care continues to grow,” said Melissa Marks, president of HES. “Health Education Solutions’ primary goal is to offer valuable educational resources to these individuals in order to help them continue to provide lifesaving care.”

As the need for emergency care continues to rise, knowledge of lifesaving algorithms has become increasingly valuable for first responders and healthcare professionals. According to 2011 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, emergency room visits have increased over a 10-year period; from 2000 to 2010, visits among individuals under 18 years increased from 20.3 percent of the population to 22.1 percent of the population visiting an emergency room, from 20.5 percent to 22 percent among individuals ages 18 to 44 years, and from 17.6 percent to 19.2 percent among individuals ages 45 to 64 years. Visits have stayed steady at 23.7 percent among individuals 65 and older.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, car crashes, natural disasters, violence and other emergencies will continue to drive demand for first responders such as emergency medical technicians and paramedics. In addition, growth in the elderly population will create more demand for emergency response to an increasing number of age-related health emergencies such as heart attacks or strokes.

HES provides educational resources and training programs to help healthcare professionals and first responders gain the knowledge and certifications they need to provide emergency care. The certification provider offers an advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) training program online, as well as an ACLS recertification program online.

In addition, HES offers online pediatric advanced life support (PALS) certification and recertification courses, basic life support (BLS), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) certification and first aid training. Courses are designed to enable busy professionals with nontraditional work schedules the flexibility to seek certification at their own pace and in their own time.

Online resources provided by HES include an advanced cardiac life support study guide, advanced cardiovascular life support provider manual, and a variety of articles and infographics focused on emergency care trends, career advancement and training resources. In addition, HES offers a series of practice tests for individuals needing a refresher before seeking recertification.

About Health Education Solutions
Health Education Solutions (HES) is a leading provider of continuing education solutions for healthcare professionals. HES, a subsidiary of Nelnet Inc. (NYSE: NNI), offers ACLS and PALS courses developed in partnership with medical faculty at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Contact:
Shannon Fern
Communications Strategy Group
121 S. 13th St Suite 201
Lincoln, NE, 68508
303-433-7020
sfern@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Bryant & Stratton College Responds to Demand from Employers by Adding Bachelor’s in Nursing Degree

Parma campus now offers Bachelor of Science Nurse Generalist degree program; prospective students can enroll starting today

Parma, OH, November 29, 2012 – Bryant & Stratton College today announced that its Parma campus now offers a Bachelor of Science Nurse Generalist degree program. The nursing degree will prepare students to work in a variety of healthcare settings and to address particular needs in community health, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, illnesses and conditions. Classes will begin January 16, 2013. Interested students can enroll now.

“From hospitals to private care facilities, the professional role of nurses is evolving and many healthcare employers are requiring a bachelor’s in nursing in order to be considered for the job,” said Dr. James Ploskonka, Director of Ohio Colleges at Bryant & Stratton College. “The BSN degree will prepare students for the new challenges of healthcare. At Bryant & Stratton College, our skills-focused instruction gives students the opportunity to combine classroom and hands-on learning so they are prepared to enter the workforce after graduation.”

The BSN Degree program also permits an RN to BSN option that is designed for RN graduates who have passed the RN-N.C.L.E.X. exam. Upon completion of the nursing degree, students enrolled in the degree program will have a sound understanding of nursing processes in order to implement comprehensive, safe, diverse and culturally effective care to patients in all health care settings.

The BSN program is available to students residing in Ohio only. Students interested in enrolling can visit the Bryant & Stratton College website at www.bryantstratton.edu or contact the campus directly:

Parma Campus
12955 Snow Road
Parma, OH 44130
216-265-3151

About Bryant & Stratton College
Bryant & Stratton College is a private career college delivering outcomes-based education and training through a flexible, contemporary curriculum in a personalized environment. The College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and has locations in New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin, as well as an Online Education division, and a Professional Skill Center.  For over 155 years, Bryant & Stratton College has been providing real world education leading to bachelor’s degrees, associate’s degrees and professional certificates in the fields of healthcare, technology, legal, business, & graphic design.  For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit www.bryantstratton.edu/disclosures.  General information can also be found on the College’s website at www.bryantstratton.edu.

Contact:
Lisa Mason
Parma Campus Director
Bryant & Stratton College
12955 Snow Road
Parma, OH 44130
216-265-3151
aschoultz@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

McKissock Offers Timely Land Surveyor Courses, Including Two Webinars in Early December

The Countdown is on for Continuing Education Credits before 2013

Warren, PA, November 27, 2012 – McKissock, a leader in continuing education for state-licensed professionals, offers a wide variety of online courses and live webinars for land surveyors in need of continuing education credits for license renewal before the end of the year. McKissock is a trusted resource for state-specific, state-approved land surveying, engineering and home inspection courses, regulation information and compliance.

Here are three timely and informative courses available from McKissock:

LIVE WEBINAR: Tracking the Railroads
Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012
1 – 5 p.m. EST
Surveyors involved with the original location and layout of the railroads had a much easier time than we do today, as we try to recreate not only original configuration of rails and parcels, but also what kinds of rights the railroad companies may have had in the land beneath their tracks. This land surveying course will discuss historical, legal, and practical aspects of the problems we face today as we unravel the railroad puzzle.

LIVE WEBINAR: Elevation Certificates
Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. EST
For land surveyors who are already familiar with the Elevation Certificate, this class will keep them up to date with details of each section of the form and any new changes resulting from the newest revisions – the most recent being November 2012. For those new to Elevation Certificates, the class will provide enough information to get started in completing them. We will point out how the form is to be completed while tying it back to its roots in the National Flood Insurance Program, including discussion of Base Flood Elevations and several sample problems to practice completion of the form under a variety of circumstances.

POPULAR ONLINE COURSE: “Disputes Between Adjoining Land Owners” Surveyors often find there is more than one opinion as to the location of interests and boundary lines between adjoiners. This course addresses such disagreements and some of their legally prescribed resolutions, including adverse possession, quiet title actions, estoppel, boundary line commissions and boundary line agreements. Learn more about this land surveying course.

“All three of these courses can play a pivotal role in a land surveyor’s career, while also meeting continuing education requirements,” says Wendy Lathrop, president and owner of Cadastral Consulting, professional land surveyor and McKissock course developer/instructor. “Even the most seasoned professionals can use assistance in understanding the nuances of legal terms and concepts, and other complicated and changing elements of their profession.”

Visit www.mckissock.com and select a state for a list of approved continuing education (CE) for land surveying, engineering and home inspection courses. McKissock offers customizable packages, individual courses and affordable webinars.

About McKissock;
McKissock is an education company that educates, empowers and enriches professionals in real estate, appraisal, home inspection, land surveying and engineering. McKissock gives specialists a place to go to access relevant, easy-to-use and high-quality courses that provide the hours and information necessary to meet state compliance and regulation requirements. Founded in 1990, McKissock offers more than 100 courses and serves thousands of professionals daily. The company is focused on providing a superior customer experience that will help professionals move their career forward. To learn more, visit www.mckissock.com.

Contact:
Alicia Hassinger
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
720-933-8119
ahassinger@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Kickboard Announces it is Making Free Starter Accounts Available to Teachers

Kickboard helps schools and districts establish a performance-based, collaborative culture

New Orleans, Louisiana, November 27, 2012 – Kickboard, a school analytics platform that goes beyond the gradebook and enables educators to create comprehensive student performance profiles, announced today that it is making free “Starter Accounts” available to teachers. Any K-12 educator or teams of up to three teachers at a school can now start using Kickboard in and across their classrooms at no charge.

Teachers in nearly 200 schools across 20 states are already using Kickboard to collect, analyze and share mission-critical data, including multiple assessments, standards mastery, reading growth, 21st century skills, parent communication and, most uniquely, student behavior and character strengths. Kickboard keeps track of performance through one-click behavior data capture, easy-to-read charts and graphs and immediate student performance reporting via customizable progress reports. The starter accounts provide much of the same features and functionality as Kickboard’s school-wide platform.

Melinda Snover is a teacher and data coach who has been implementing Kickboard across Stella Worley Middle School in New Orleans this year. She says Kickboard helps her teachers share information across classrooms, pinpoint how to individualize their instruction, and identify success. “We’re celebrating the fact that we are changing. We are collaborating, our classrooms are totally different, our teaching is so targeted and focused, and our mastery is higher.”

A vision of this kind of cross-classroom collaboration inspired CEO and founder Jennifer Medbery to create Kickboard. A former teacher, Medbery saw the need to share both academic achievement and student behavior data and also easily analyze that information and make it actionable.

Kickboard seeks to eliminate common barriers to creating a data-driven culture, for example the feeling of being swamped with data without a single platform to compile and share it. Kickboard is that single, secure solution that can help teacher-leaders and district administrators simply and quickly establish and maintain a performance-based culture across a school. The platform can be deployed in a single classroom or across an entire district and is a flexible tool that fosters a transparent, collaborative, growth-minded environment. Teachers have found that it creates a school culture where expectations are clearly set, measured and maintained through collaboration between teachers, administrators and parents.

“After hearing about the experience of their friends and colleagues at Kickboard schools, teachers have been requesting a way to use the platform without having to wait for school-wide adoption,” said Medbery. “We’re launching the Starter Accounts in an effort to give these teachers and other innovative, results-driven educators grounds-up, immediate access to Kickboard so now they too can support data-driven teaching, facilitate collaboration and advance a culture of performance at their school. Teachers need every available tool at their disposal to increase student success and improve outcomes.”

Starter Account sign-up is a quick and simple process. Individual teachers can begin to use Kickboard immediately with up to 150 students across their classroom or in teams of up to three teachers (total participation per school is limited to three teachers). The platform is designed to support a performance-based culture across an entire school or district, and premium, customized features are available with a software upgrade. To claim their free Kickboard starter account, teachers should visit: http://www.kickboardforteachers.com/signup

For educators who want to learn more, Medbery will be hosting two live tutorials on Thursday, November 29 at 2:30 EST and 4:30 EST. This is an opportunity for teachers who have already signed up for the Starter Accounts to learn how to optimize its use. The sessions will also help those unfamiliar with Kickboard get a tour of the platform and develop a better understanding of how it can help establish a performance-based culture. To register for one of the tutorials, visit: http://kickboardforteachers.com//webinar

About Kickboard;
Kickboard is a school analytics platform that goes beyond the gradebook and enables teachers to collect, analyze and share critical data, including multiple assessments, standards mastery, reading growth and, most uniquely, student behavior and character strengths. The platform is built by educators for educators and offers a simple yet powerful web-based dashboard to increase the real-time visibility of student performance across classrooms. Unlike traditional gradebooks, Kickboard tracks whole student performance and features traditional and standards-based grading, one-click behavior data capture, easy to read charts and graphs and immediate student performance reporting, including customizable, painless report cards. The platform advances a school’s performance-driven culture by setting and measuring school expectations and norms and facilitating collaboration between teachers, administrators and parents. Delivered as an on-demand solution, Kickboard can easily be integrated with a school’s SIS, and deployed in a single classroom or across an entire district. For more information, visit kickboardforteachers.com.

Contact:
Kristina Saccone
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
ksaccone@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

End of Year Signals Renewal Time for Many Home Inspectors, Land Surveyors and Professional Engineers

McKissock Offers a License Renewal Reminder Service for Busy Licensed professionals

Warren, PA, November 20, 2012 – The end of the year is sneaking up and McKissock, a leader in continuing education for state-licensed professionals, is issuing a reminder to home inspectors, land surveyors and professional engineers to renew their licenses. While renewal dates differ by state and association, a large portion of licenses expire at the end of the calendar year. McKissock is a trusted resource for state-specific, state-approved land surveying, engineering and home inspection courses, regulation information and compliance.

License lapses and expirations are more than just a hassle – they can be a costly mistake. To help remove the potential of license lapse or expiration, McKissock recently set up a free reminder service that will notify you when your license renewal date is pending. Visit http://reminder.mckedu.com to sign up.

“When professionals are out and about, they aren’t always focused on deadlines and licenses,” says Annie Creek, Market Research and Compliance Specialist at McKissock. “We are the go-to resource for reminders, coursework and compliance information so home inspectors, land surveyors, and engineers don’t miss a beat.”

Rules and regulations vary by state and industry, so it can be confusing to know what is required for license renewal, such as processing time, applicable forms and related fees. However, McKissock serves as a comprehensive resource about continuing education requirements and more. If you have any questions, contact 1-800-328-2008.

“It’s important to plan ahead and ensure you have the time to meet state and association renewal requirements,” adds Creek. “However, McKissock offers a wide variety of home inspection, land surveying and engineering courses that can be taken immediately so you can get back to work.”

McKissock also has affiliations directly with associations to help professionals understand requirements and receive continuing education credits, including: the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. (NAHI), and California Real Estate Inspection Association (CREIA).

From the McKissock website, state-licensed professionals have access to all they need to fulfill state requirements, including governing agency information, and can begin taking required coursework immediately. McKissock offers customizable packages, individual courses and affordable webinars. For more information, visit http://www.mckissock.com.

About McKissock
McKissock is an education company that educates, empowers and enriches professionals in real estate, appraisal, home inspection, land surveying and engineering. McKissock gives specialists a place to go to access relevant, easy-to-use and high-quality courses that provide the hours and information necessary to meet state compliance and regulation requirements. Founded in 1990, McKissock offers more than 100 courses and serves thousands of professionals daily. The company is focused on providing a superior customer experience that will help professionals move their career forward. To learn more, visit www.mckissock.com.

Contact:
Alicia Hassinger
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
720-933-8119
ahassinger@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Veritas Prep SAT 2400 Earns Praise from Parents and Top Honor from The National Parenting Center

Veritas Prep SAT 2400 prep course recognized by parents for superb functionality and effectiveness in preparing students for the exam; it is among only a handful of education products to make the grade

Malibu, CA, November 15, 2012 – Veritas Prep today announced that its SAT prep course, Veritas Prep SAT 2400, has been recognized by The National Parenting Center with its prestigious Seal of Approval. The Seal of Approval program receives between 600 and 700 applications annually, and fewer than a dozen products are selected in each category in an award cycle. The award marks another significant milestone for the SAT prep course that has quickly become the standard of the industry.

The National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval program is most notable because it is based on evaluations solicited directly from parents and their children. For over 30 years, the independent testing procedure has asked parents and their children to provide reviews on products and services from educational and entertainment to travel destinations in order to advise, support and guide parents with sound, responsible counsel.

According to the National Parenting Center, “All parents want to give their children that extra edge and Veritas Prep’s SAT program does just that. Parents felt confident when they learned that Veritas Prep was the company behind the program. Parents reported a marked rise in their children’s confidence level with each practice test that they took. The online videos are clear, concise and quite easy to digest. There are many classes and tutors available to help prepare for this very important test but our testers felt that their children were in good hands with Veritas Prep.”

“We are honored that The National Parenting Center recognizes the value and quality of Veritas Prep SAT 2400 with its Seal of Approval. This award is a testament to the course’s unique and effective approach to SAT preparation,” said Chad Troutwine co-founder and CEO of Veritas Prep. “With seemingly countless test preparation courses available, where can parents even begin to choose? This award is one more reason why parents can be confident they have found in Veritas Prep the most effective SAT preparation for their child.”

Veritas Prep SAT 2400 is the only global SAT class developed by a perfect score recipient. It is available in-person, live online, on-demand or in private tutoring sessions and features proven strategies and techniques to help students achieve their highest possible score. The course offers multiple advantages over competitor’s prep courses, including a longer course format, higher instructor standards, and a zero risk, money-back guarantee. Unlike other SAT test prep courses offered in the industry, Veritas Prep SAT 2400 allows a student to take the course again at no charge or receive a full refund without having to approve perfect attendance and homework completion.

To learn more about Veritas Prep SAT 2400 and its other test prep and college admissions consulting services visit http://www.veritasprep.com/sat/.

About Veritas Prep
Veritas Prep is the world’s largest privately-owned provider of test prep and admissions consulting services. It offers industry-leading programs to help applicants improve standardized test scores and gain admission to the world’s most selective universities. Founded in 2002 by graduates of the Yale School of Management, Veritas Prep offers its live classroom GMAT prep course in more than 90 cities worldwide and as an interactive online course available to students everywhere. Its Veritas Prep SAT 2400 course is available as a classroom course, live online, on demand or in private tutoring sessions and features the only zero risk, money back guarantee in the industry. In addition, Veritas Prep offers admissions consulting services for applicants seeking entry into competitive business schools, law schools, medical schools and other graduate programs. For more information, visit veritasprep.com.

Contact:
Kavitha Thimmaiah
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303 433 7020
kthimmaiah@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

HealthEdSolutions.com Issues Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician Programs Special Section

Online Healthcare Certification Provider Launches New Fire Departments Special Section

Lincoln, Nebraska, November 13, 2012 – To help the growing number of individuals seeking employment as firefighters learn more about emergency medical technician certification and other required trainings, Health Education Solutions (HES), a leading provider of online healthcare certification courses, today released a Fire Departments special section. This series of educational articles is available in HES’ research library at www.HealthEdSolutions.com.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for firefighters is expected to grow 9 percent between 2010 and 2020. As an increasing number of volunteer firefighters make the transition into paid positions and more individuals enter the field, the need for these individuals to seek emergency medical technician programs and certifications will become apparent.

“As the emergency response field continues to grow—particularly in the firefighting field—the need for convenient, easy-to-access continuing education will dramatically increase,” said Melissa Marks, president of HES. “Whether you are new to the emergency medical field or a veteran seeking to get recertified, Health Education Solutions provides convenient courses and valuable resources to help you achieve career success.”

Proper healthcare certification has become more important as of late due to a few recent trends in the firefighting industry. Firefighters respond to less fires and more medical emergencies—and this shift continues to grow. According to the National Fire Protection Association, fires accounted for only 5 percent of responses made by U.S. fire departments in 2010. In addition, fire death rates are on the decline and have decreased by 20 percent since 2000. As the industry continues to follow these trends and firefighters increasingly become the first medical responders on scene at emergencies, the need for knowledge of healthcare emergency response principles will continue to grow.

To help firefighters and other first responders adequately prepare themselves to respond to medical emergencies, HES offers a comprehensive series of online firefighter, healthcare professional and emergency medical technician courses. Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certification and recertification courses are available online, as are pediatric advanced life support (PALS) certification and recertification courses. In addition to courses developed in partnership with Union College, HES offers the American Heart Association’s HeartCode ACLS Part 1 course. For ACLS certification course info or ACLS online recertification info, visit Health Education Solutions’ website.

For individuals with nontraditional schedules who require more flexibility than traditional emergency medical technician school will allow, HES additionally offers basic life support (BLS), stroke certification, bloodborne pathogens training and first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) training courses.

HES’ online research library offers a variety of useful information for firefighters, healthcare professionals and other emergency medical technicians and first responders, including resources related to careers in healthcare, 2012 certification guidelines, statistics related to healthcare trends and data from experts in the field.

About Health Education Solutions:
Health Education Solutions (HES) is a leading provider of continuing education solutions for healthcare professionals. HES, a subsidiary of Nelnet Inc. (NYSE: NNI), offers ACLS and PALS courses developed in partnership with medical faculty at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Contact:
Shannon Fern
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303-433-7020
sfern@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Ecotech Institute Now Offers Business Administration Degree with an Emphasis on Sustainability

Comprehensive Program Puts a Green Focus on the Traditional Business Degree

Denver, Colorado, November 12, 2012 – Ecotech Institute, the first and only college focused entirely on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability, is now taking applications for its new two-year Business Administration – Sustainability degree program. Unlike Ecotech’s other lab-centric offerings, this program is steeped in business education with a unique focus on sustainability. The program will launch in January 2013.

The Business Administration – Sustainability program provides students with knowledge and skills suitable for employment in a broad range of private and public sector organizations. Coursework includes accounting, financial analysis, human resources, project management, communications, customer service, sustainability, renewable energy and workplace ethics.

“There has been extensive research about the increasing importance of sustainability within organizations, and that requires business leaders who understand green technology, industry verbiage and implementation techniques,” says Michael Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. “National industry leaders helped us develop curriculum that focuses on applying sustainability knowledge within a business environment; this program is designed to educate specialized graduates who will stand out.”

Upon successful completion of the Business Administration – Sustainability program, students will be prepared to:

* Understand the various components of contemporary business administration;

* Communicate effectively and in a manner appropriate for a business setting;

* Demonstrate practical proficiency in the use and application of current business hardware and software;

* Operate cutting-edge business technology;

* Utilize project management skills;

* Demonstrate an understanding of employment relationships;

* Understand and demonstrate good customer service skills;

* Understand the basic principles of finance and accounting.

Ecotech Institute’s website outlines each of its programs to help answer common questions such as, “Is this program right for me?”, “What will I learn?” and “Why Ecotech?” In addition to offering curriculum information, the site explains what to expect from the program, which skill sets are most desirable for this field of study, and what careers are available in cleantech industries. Learn more about the Business Administration – Sustainability degree program.

Ecotech Institute also offers the following six programs:

* Solar Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science

* Wind Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science

* Renewable Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science

* Energy Efficiency Program, Associate of Applied Science

* Electrical Energy Technology, Associate of Applied Science

* Power Utility Technician, Associate of Applied Science

About Ecotech Institute:
Ecotech Institute is the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America’s workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability and is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges. Launched in April 2010 in Denver, Colorado, it offers seven highly practical renewable energy degree programs that provide graduates with skills valued by today’s alternative renewable energy employers. Classes start once per quarter and applications are always accepted. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify. Ecotech Institute is a division of Education Corporation of America. For more information about Ecotech Institute, visit ecotechinstitute.com or call 877-326-5576.

Contact:
Alicia Hassinger
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
720-933-8119
ahassinger@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com

Frequently Asked Questions About the SAT Answered

Veritas Prep’s Shaan Patel Answers Five of the Most Commonly Asked Questions About How to Smartly Prepare For the SAT

Malibu, California, November 07, 2012 – Do you have questions about the SAT? You’re not alone. For many students and families, the SAT is daunting. To help answer many of the most common questions about the SAT test, Shaan Patel, a perfect SAT score recipient and Director of SAT Programs at Veritas Prep, identified the five questions he’s most frequently asked and offers responses below:

Why do smart students struggle with the SAT?
The SAT is very different than the tests students take in their high school classes, but many think that if they are a solid A student, they don’t need to prepare for the SAT. That overconfidence is the number one reason students who normally do well academically post disappointing scores the first time they take the exam. The SAT rewards the prepared and it is absolutely an exam students can master with effective SAT prep. Students that spend time learning and practicing key strategies, reviewing grammar rules and vocabulary and taking practice tests will be much better positioned for success on test day.

For students applying to competitive colleges and universities, is your GPA or SAT score more important?
When admissions officers look at GPA and SAT scores, only one is a standardized measure: the SAT. Grade point average has a high level of variability from school to school, which means it isn’t a consistent or standard measure with which to compare or evaluate applicants. So when it comes to college admissions, the four hours you spend taking the SAT is more important than the 4,000 hours you spend working on your GPA. Given that, whether you take an SAT course or prep on your own, you need to put considerable effort into preparing for the exam.

When is the best time to take the SAT?
While many consider spring of junior year the best time to take the SAT, Veritas Prep actually recommends that students first take the exam during the winter of their junior year. The reason is simple – timing. Students that wait until spring of their junior year are preparing for the SAT, finals and often AP exams as well. Add in sports, extracurricular activities and a job, and that is a lot to handle. The best plan is to take the SAT in the winter when you have more time to dedicate to SAT preparation. A common argument is that you should wait to take the SAT until after you’ve completed algebra II, but the truth is, if you prep properly you’ll have command of the strategies you need to correctly solve SAT math questions, not to mention the rest of the exam.

What’s the biggest misconception about the SAT?
The SAT is an unknown to a lot of people, so there are actually lots of misconceptions. The biggest misconception is that high school or AP classes are preparation enough for the SAT. Unfortunately, that just isn’t true. While AP classes can help on the SAT Subject tests, overall, the average high school curriculum is not designed with standardized college entrance exams in mind. The SAT tests different skills than what you learn in high school, and some properties of the exam even contradict what your teachers may have taught you. For example, English teachers emphasize quality over quantity when it comes to writing essays; however, on the SAT, the more you write on the essay, the higher you score. To get ready for the SAT, you’ll have to spend time preparing specifically for the exam in addition to your regular high school coursework.

What is the best piece of advice you can give to students preparing for the SAT?
Practice, and practice only with official College Board SAT practice tests. The best way to prepare for the exam is to use questions produced by the folks who created it. The College Board releases a question of the day that you can sign up to receive by email, as well as makes several tests available at little or no cost. A College Board SAT practice test is also among the free SAT resources Veritas Prep offers on its website.

Patel improved his SAT score from 1760 to a perfect 2400, earned more than $237,000 in scholarships and co-authored the Veritas Prep SAT 2400 program, which is available as a classroom course, live online, on demand in high definition or in private SAT tutoring sessions. Additionally, McGraw-Hill recently published his book, “SAT 2400 in Just 7 Steps.”

For more information, visit www.veritasprep.com/sat.

About Veritas Prep
Veritas Prep is the world’s largest privately-owned provider of test prep and admissions consulting services. It offers industry-leading programs to help applicants improve standardized test scores and gain admission to the world’s most selective universities. Founded in 2002 by graduates of the Yale School of Management, Veritas Prep offers its live classroom GMAT prep course in more than 90 cities worldwide and as an interactive online course available to students everywhere. Its Veritas Prep SAT 2400 course is available as a classroom course, live online, on demand or in private tutoring sessions and features the only zero risk, money back guarantee in the industry. In addition, Veritas Prep offers admissions consulting services for applicants seeking entry into competitive business schools, law schools, medical schools and other graduate programs. For more information, visit veritasprep.com.

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