Montgomery County Public Libraries Offers Opportunity to Earn an Accredited High School Diploma

For Immediate Release: Friday, June 17, 2016

Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) is offering qualified community members the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and a credentialed career certificate through Career Online High School, a program brought to public libraries by Gale, a part of Cengage Learning.

 

Part of the world’s first accredited, private online school district, 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. Currently, more than 60,000 adults over the age of 25 in Montgomery County lack a high school degree or equivalent.

 

“I am happy to see the launch of the Career Online High School program, which will empower and better prepare residents who do not have high school diplomas for the workforce,” said County Executive Ike Leggett. “This is one of the first key results from my second summit on the library of the future, where I encouraged Libraries Director Parker Hamilton to continue the expansion of the library's workforce and economic development programming.”  

 

“Career Online High School is one of the first initiatives under MCPL’s Workforce and

Business Development umbrella,” said Hamilton. “We are excited about partnering with Gale to offer this opportunity that has the power to transform lives.”

 

MCPL, the first library system in Maryland to launch Career Online High School, will award seats for this program to qualified learners seeking to earn a high school diploma and advance their careers.

 

Once enrolled, Career Online High School pairs each student with an Academic Coach, who assists with developing an individual career plan, 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 (across a wide spectrum from child care and education to certified transportation), before progressing to the core academic subjects. Students have 18 months to complete the program; however, by transferring in previously earned high school credits, students may complete the program in as little as six months.

 

More information about Career Online High School is available at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library, by calling Adrienne Van Lare at 240-777-0036 or email at mcpl-cohs@montgomerycountydmd.gov.

 

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Media Contact, Release ID: 16-439
Media Contact: Judy Stiles 240-777-6507