Local patrons now eligible for scholarships to complete their high school diploma at COHS.
Hartford, CT, September 29—Smart Horizons Career Online Education, the world’s first accredited online school district, announced today a new partnership with the Hartford Public Library to offer qualified residents the opportunity to earn a SACS/AdvancED accredited high school diploma and career certificate through Career Online High School, an innovative program brought to public libraries by Gale, a part of Cengage Learning. The program was specifically designed by SHCOE to reengage adults into the education system and prepare them for entry into post-secondary career education or the workforce. Currently, about 30 percent of Hartford adults aged 25 and over lack a high school degree or equivalent.
“Earning a high school diploma is a life-changing achievement,” said Hartford Public Library CEO Matt Poland. “By offering Career Online High School, we’re empowering our residents to seek new opportunities and transform their lives.”
Hartford Public Library will award scholarships for Career Online High School to qualified learners aged 25 and over who want to earn a high school diploma and advance their careers. Once enrolled, Career Online High School pairs each student with an Academic Coach, who helps the student develop an individual career plan, offers ongoing guidance and encouragement, evaluates performance, and connects the student with the resources needed to demonstrate mastery of the course material. Classes are supported by board-certified instructors and students have 24/7 access to the online learning platform. Coursework begins in one of eight high-growth, high-demand career fields (across a wide spectrum from child care to customer service to commercial driving), before progressing to the core academic subjects. Many students are able to graduate in as few as 4 to 6 months by transferring in previously earned high school credits.
“We’re very pleased to add the Hartford Public Library to the growing list of public libraries across the country that now offer Career Online High School to their patrons,” stated Dr. Howard Liebman, founder and Superintendent of Smart Horizons Career Online Education. “Public Libraries have been a great partner for us as we look to expand the availability of our programs to help the more than 40 million Americans who do not have a high school diploma.”
To help local residents who enroll in the program but may not have access to reliable Internet, Wi-Fi-enabled tablets will be made available so learners can complete their work remotely, or while at the library.
Residents can learn more about Career Online High School and the enrollment process by visiting the Hartford Public Library or www.hplct.org/cohs. For more information on the economic impact of high school completion, download the Measuring the Impact of High School Completion for Adult Learners white paper. For more on the benefits of libraries, watch the “Libraries Make a Difference: Change the Headlines” video.