FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich.,
Jan. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Public
libraries across the country are finding innovative ways to deliver
value to their communities, including presenting high school
diplomas to adult residents through Career Online High
School, an accredited high school completion and career
certificate program. Career Online High School, brought to
public libraries by Gale, part of Cengage Learning, is now
available at more than a dozen libraries from coast to coast, with
several launching this month, and has graduated its first library
students.
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"The idea that an adult can walk into their public library and
eventually walk out a high school graduate with career training,
not only positioned for a better job or career, but positioned to
have a better life, is truly amazing," said Paul Gazzolo, senior vice president and general
manager for Gale. "Gale is delighted to be leading this effort as
it speaks to what we've known all along, that libraries change
lives."
Today, there are nearly 40 million Americans without a high
school diploma and there are limited options available for older
students who are looking to return to school. Career Online High
School is specifically designed to reengage adults into the
education system and prepare them for entry into post-secondary
career education or the workforce. Launched in the public library
space in January 2014, Career
Online High School is now available in several major urban
centers – including Los Angeles,
Sacramento, San Diego, New
Orleans, Denver,
Phoenix, Cincinnati, Chattanooga, several libraries throughout
New Jersey, and other
locations.
"We are proud that Sacramento Public Library was the second
library in the country to offer this innovative program to our
patrons, and prouder still to share what we've learned with other
libraries," said Rivkah Sass,
Sacramento Public Library Director. "Libraries have always
supported education, but this program fosters our ability to be on
the leading edge of providing education."
The value of Career Online High School can be measured by
the fiscal contributions, including higher income and tax revenue
generated by those with a high school diploma, local workforce
development and more, as well as the emotional benefits students
experience by completing their education.
"I've completed a part of my education that I've been missing. I
knew I was capable of achieving this and it feels great knowing now
what I have accomplished," said Angie
Velasquez, who earned her high school diploma through the
Career Online High School program at Los Angeles Public Library.
"As a college student I am no longer missing that gap, and the
career training from COHS has been carried over into my work and
that I know my employer appreciates!"
Libraries award scholarships for Career Online High
School to qualified learners. Once enrolled, each student is
paired with an Academic Coach, who offers ongoing guidance and
encouragement, evaluates performance, and connects the learner 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 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. Career certificate options
span four of the six industries that can't find workers fast
enough, including food service, childcare and education, retail,
and transportation, among others.
For more information, on Career Online High School, visit
http://www.careeronlinehs.gale.com or contact Kristina Massari at
kristina.massari@cengage.com. For more information on the economic
impact of high school completion and the benefits of libraries,
download the whitepaper here and watch the video here.
About Career Online High School
Career Online High
School was developed in 2012 through a partnership by ed2go, a
division of Cengage Learning that provides students with online
continuing education and career training, and Smart Horizons Career
Online Education, in an effort to provide affordable, career-based
online education opportunities for the millions of adults in
the United States without high
school diplomas. In 2014, the program was adapted for the public
library market by Gale, also a division of Cengage Learning. Since
its launch, Career Online High School has been recognized as part
of a Commitment to Action by the Clinton Global Initiative and
acknowledged at the White House College Opportunity
Summit.
About Cengage Learning and Gale
Cengage Learning is a
leading educational content, technology and services company,
empowering educators and driving learner engagement through
personalized services and course-driven digital solutions that
bridge from the library to the classroom. Gale, part of Cengage
Learning, serves the world's information and education needs
through its vast and dynamic content pools, which are used by
students and consumers in their libraries, schools and on the
Internet. It is best known for the accuracy, breadth and
convenience of its data, addressing all types of information needs
– from homework help to health questions to business profiles – in
a variety of formats. For more information, visit www.cengage.com
or www.gale.cengage.com.
Media Contact:
Kristina
Massari
Cengage Learning
(203) 326-0903
kristina.massari@cengage.com
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SOURCE Cengage Learning