CENTER FOR NEW DIRECTIONS

CONTACT PERSON
Coordinator: Jim McCracken, MA
e-mail: jvmccracken@lcsc.edu
Office: RCH 23
Phone: 792-2331
Toll Free: (866)-CND-4YOU (866)-263-4968)
Fax: 792-2056
Web: http://www.lcsc.edu/cnd

OVERVIEW
The Center for New Directions (CND) provides support for adults in the midst of life transitions. Populations targeted for service include single parents and displaced homemakers as well as nontraditional students and students enrolled in Professional-Technical programs. The goal of CND is to assist individuals in overcoming barriers as they successfully enter education/training programs and employment leading to economic self-sufficiency.

Funding for the CND program comes primarily from grants obtained each year through the Idaho Division of Professional- Technical Education.

SERVICES
The CND provides a multitude of services, including opportunities for personal growth and development, support through major life transitions, and an environment that facilitates successful completion of personal goals and objectives.

The following services are offered to help individuals achieve these goals:
1. Career Exploration Workshop
• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
• Self-Directed Search
• Idaho Career Information System
2. Job Club
• How to Find a Job
• Tapping the Hidden Job Market
• Resumes, Cover Letters and Interviews
3. Computer Basics
• Understanding the Computer/Keyboard and Typing
Tips/The Internet
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
4. Soft Skills for the Workplace
• Being a Team Player
• Meeting Your Employer’s Expectations
• Making Yourself Understood
• Dealing with Change
5. Personal Development Opportunities
• Time and Stress Management
• Living Within Your Budget
• Anger Management Training
• Gender Differences in the Workplace
• Goal Setting, Decision Making and Problem Solving

TESTING CENTER
The COMPASS™ test is a comprehensive computer-adaptive testing system that helps place students into appropriate courses and maximizes the information postsecondary schools need to ensure student success. Retakes on the COMPASS will be allowed anytime that evidence exists that there was:

1. Interference with the testing process caused by problems with technology.

2. Distractions during testing

3. Health issues

4. Similar factors as judged by the exam proctor

Documentation of successful completion of an Adult Basic Education course in the content area in which a student wishes to retest will serve as justification for one additional COMPASS retake.

The COMPASS test is a placement test only. Once a student has begun mathematics or English curriculum at LCSC, they may not retake the COMPASS exam to exempt further developmental coursework.

A retake on the English COMPASS exam will be allowed no sooner than one year after the initial test was given. One retake on the Math COMPASS exam will be allowed; this retake cannot occur on the same day as the original exam.

The CND administers the COMPASS exam Monday through Thursday at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for a fee of $15 for the reading, writing and math exams.

Other tests include NET, HOBET, HESI, CNA Written Exam, Prometric, PearsonVUE, LaserGrade, PAN, Castle Worldwide, WorkKeys, and ISO Quality testing.

Individual proctored exams may be scheduled by appointment.