Dr. Howard Liebman, CEO and Superintendent of Smart Horizons Career Online Education (SHCOE), is pleased to announce that SHCOE has established a partnership with the National Urban League to make SHCOE’s career-based education program available to at-risk youth in communities across the country.
Part of an Urban League initiative called the Urban Youth Empowerment Program (UYEP), the goal of this effort is to reach 1,700 youth, ages 14 to 24, to connect them to educational opportunities and career pathways that will enable them to achieve a higher standard of living. SHCOE will be one of the primary providers of education for those lacking a high school diploma or GED equivalent. The National Urban League, which is dedicated to economic empowerment in historically underserved urban communities, will identify potential students through its nationwide network of 95 local affiliates.
Founded in 2009, SHCOE is the world’s first AdvancED/SACS-accredited online school district, offering an instructional program that combines an 18-credit high school diploma and a credentialed career certificate in one, comprehensive online package. Students enrolling in SHCOE’s high school through UYEP will be able to choose from among certificates in early childhood education, transportation services, homeland security, protection services, office management, and general career preparation.
“SHCOE is honored to be partnering with a civil rights organization that has a history as long and distinguished as the National Urban League in providing opportunities for members of underserved communities,” Dr. Liebman said. “I believe Smart Horizons Career Online High School can be the perfect fit for many of the young people being brought into this important new program.”