FAQs

The NOVA Principles curriculum has three parts – one for Elementary age, a 13-15 week program that is taught at the 5th or 6th-grade level, one for Jr. High age children which is a 4-week program taught at the 6th, 7th, or 8th-grade level , and one for High School age children, a 2-week program taught at the 9th, 10th, or 11th-grade level. To see a basic outline of our curriculum, you can read more about it on the curriculum page

It’s important to understand that school-based prevention programs have evolved significantly over time, with a greater emphasis now on evidence-based practices. Here’s a breakdown of how NOVA compares to other similar programs, highlighting their similarities and differences:

Program 1:

• History: 
  • It was very popular in the 1980s and 1990s.
  • Traditionally, it involved uniformed police officers teaching students about the dangers of drug use.
• Criticisms: 
  • Research has shown that this program program was not effective in preventing drug use.
  • Concerns were raised about its reliance on scare tactics and its limited focus.
• Current Status: 
  • Since then, program 1 has evolved, with a “keepin’ it REAL” curriculum that aims to focus on decision-making skills and resisting peer pressure. However, concerns about it’s effectiveness still remain.

Program 2:

• Focus: 
  • This program emphasizes evidence-based strategies to prevent drug use, violence, and bullying.
  • It offers a comprehensive curriculum from kindergarten through 12th grade.
  • It includes components for parents and police officers, aiming for a consistent message.
• Key Features: 
  • It incorporates lessons on decision-making, social skills, and the consequences of risky behaviors.
  • It strives to build positive relationships between law enforcement and young people.
  • It places a very strong emphasis on being evidence based.

NOVA Principles:

• Focus: 
  • NOVA Principles focuses on building character and promoting positive values in young people.
  • It emphasizes principles like accountability, opportunity, and values.
  • It involves parental participation, with family-based activities.
• Key Features: 
  • It uses active learning lessons and games to reinforce key principles.
  • It aims to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and youth.
  • It is designed to be implemented early in a child’s development.
• Law enforcement role: 
  • Like the other two programs, NOVA Principles utilizes law enforcement officers to teach the program.

Similarities:

• All three programs involve law enforcement officers in educating young people.
• They all aim to prevent risky behaviors and promote positive choices.
• They all strive to build positive relationships between law enforcement and youth.

Differences:

• Evidence-Based Practices: Program 2 places a very strong emphasis on evidence-based curriculum, which has been a point of criticism for the older Program 1 programs. NOVA principles also states that it is an evidence based program.
• Curriculum Scope: Program 2 offers a comprehensive K-12 curriculum, while the other programs may have different age focuses.
• Focus: Program 1 traditionally focused on drug prevention, while Program 2 and NOVA Principles have a broader approach, including violence prevention, bullying prevention, and character development.
• Parental Involvement: NOVA Principles has a strong emphasis on parental involvement.

In summary, while all three programs involve law enforcement in youth education, they differ in their curriculum, focus, and emphasis on evidence-based practices.

Here’s a comparison of Program 1, Program 2, and the NOVA Principles programs, highlighting their similarities and differences:

Similarities

1. Law Enforcement Involvement
   • All three programs involve law enforcement officers as educators or key partners in delivering prevention education.
2. Focus on Youth Education
   • Each program targets students in schools to provide education on drug prevention, violence prevention, and decision-making skills.
3. Emphasis on Life Skills & Decision-Making
   • All three programs go beyond drug resistance and include critical thinking, social skills, and making positive choices.
4. School-Based Approach
   • Each program operates within school settings and collaborates with teachers, parents, and communities.
5. Prevention Over Punishment
   • Rather than focusing on punitive measures, these programs emphasize education, prevention, and positive behavioral reinforcement.

Differences

Summary

• Program 1 is the most well-known and has evolved to focus more on social-emotional learning rather than just drug resistance.
• Program 2 is a direct alternative to Program 1, offering a similar structure but with a broader focus on bullying and violence.
• NOVA Principles Foundation stands out by integrating life skills, parental involvement, and technology, making it more comprehensive in addressing modern challenges beyond just substance abuse.

Comparison of Program 1, Program 2, and NOVA Principles Foundation for Schools

Best for Schools That:

• Program 1: Want a widely recognized program with a structured curriculum.
• Program 2: Need a program similar to Program 1 but with a broader focus on violence prevention.
• NOVA: Prefer a more comprehensive program with parental engagement and modern topics (social media, leadership, decision-making).

Comparison of Program 1, Program 2, and NOVA Principles for Law Enforcement Agencies

Best for Law Enforcement Agencies That:

• Program 1: Want a recognized program with a structured curriculum for school partnerships.
• Program 2: Need an alternative to Program 1 with expanded topics like bullying and gang prevention.
• NOVA: Want a modern, flexible program that integrates technology, leadership, parental involvement, and digital learning tools.

Comparison of Program 1, Program 2, and NOVA Principles Foundation for Parents

Best for Parents Who:

• Program 1: Want their children to learn about drug prevention in school.
• Program 2: Want an alternative to Program 1 with additional focus on violence prevention.
• NOVA: Want to be actively involved in their child’s learning with modern, relevant topics and parent-focused resources.

Final Takeaways

• Program 1 is a well-known and structured drug prevention program that has evolved into decision-making and social-emotional learning.
• Program 2 is an alternative to Program 1 with expanded topics on bullying and gang prevention.
• NOVA Principles Foundation is the most comprehensive, offering parental involvement, leadership training, modern digital tools, and flexible learning approaches.

• approaches.

It’s helpful to break down the key characteristics of the NOVA Principles to identify similar organizations. They focus on:
* Youth development: Programs aimed at positive growth for young people.
* Character building: Emphasizing values like accountability and positivity.
* Law enforcement involvement: Using uniformed officers to deliver the program.
* Prevention: Aiming to deter substance abuse and risky behaviors.
With those things in mind, here are some categories of similar organizations, and examples of those types of organizations:
* Youth development organizations:
* These organizations focus on providing programs and support to help young people reach their full potential. Examples of this could be:
* Boys & Girls Clubs of America: Provides after-school programs and other resources to youth.
* YMCA: Offers a wide range of programs for youth, including sports, recreation, and education.
* Character education programs:
* These programs focus on teaching young people important values and life skills.
* Character.org: provides resources and support to schools and organizations that are implementing character education programs.
* Law enforcement-related youth programs:
* These programs involve law enforcement officers in working with youth to build positive relationships and prevent crime.
* Program 1: While its methods have been debated, it’s a well-known program that involves law enforcement officers in teaching students about drug prevention.
* Police Athletic Leagues (PAL): programs that are run by police departments, that provide positive interactions between police officers and youth through sports and recreational activities.
* Organizations focused on substance abuse prevention:
* These organizations are focused on preventing drug and alcohol use among young people.
* SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration): a government agency that provides resources and support for substance abuse prevention and treatment.
When looking at organizations that are similar, it is important to note that the combination of law enforcement, and character building, with the focus on youth, makes the NOVA principles foundation a unique organization.

 When comparing Program 2 with the NOVA Principles, in the context of youth programs and law enforcement involvement, it often refers to programs with similar goals to NOVA Principles. Here’s a comparative overview:

NOVA Principles:
* Core Focus:
* Emphasizes character development, Core NOVA Principles (accountability, positivity, knowledge, work, respect), and prevention of risky behaviors, particularly substance abuse.
* Delivered by uniformed law enforcement officers.
* Targets preteens and adolescents.
* Key Features:
* Structured curriculum with specific principles.
* Strong focus on accountability and responsible decision-making.
* Involvement of law enforcement in educational settings.

Program 2 (General Overview):
* Core Focus:
* Often focuses on leadership, education, and anti-drug initiatives.
* May involve law enforcement in educational roles.
* Aims to build positive relationships between youth and law enforcement.
* Key Features:
* Can vary in curriculum and delivery, but often includes lessons on decision-making, social skills, and the consequences of negative choices.
* May have a strong emphasis on preventing drug and alcohol use.
* In many cases law enforcement officers are the instructors.

Similarities:
* Law Enforcement Involvement:
* Both programs often utilize law enforcement officers as instructors, fostering positive interactions between youth and police.
* Youth Development:
* Both aim to promote positive development and decision-making in young people.
* Prevention Focus:
* Both often include elements of substance abuse prevention and avoiding risky behaviors.
* Character Building:
* Both programs work to build character within the youth that they are teaching.
Differences:
* Curriculum Specificity:
* NOVA Principles has a very clearly defined set of core principles that guide its curriculum. Program 2 can have a wider range of curriculum content.

 Program Structure:
* While both programs are structured, the exact structure can vary. NOVA principles has a very defined structure.
In essence, both programs share a common goal of fostering positive youth development and preventing negative behaviors, often with the involvement of law enforcement. However, the specific curriculum and structure may differ.