Speech and Testimony
County Executive Leggett’s Remarks at the Career Online High School Program Launch
Executive Office Building, CAO Conference Room, 101 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor, Rockville
As prepared
Good afternoon. It is a pleasure to be here today to officially launch Montgomery County’s Career Online High School program.
In our changing world, our libraries have become a vital hub for education and innovation. In many ways our libraries are an extension of our educational systems.
At my second Library Summit, held last fall, I called on Public Libraries Director Parker Hamilton to focus on increasing workforce-development programs to ensure we are meeting the needs of our changing population.
To be competitive in today’s workforce, workers need to have, at least, a high school diploma.
When I was growing up in Louisiana the only option to get a diploma was to go to a traditional brick-and-mortar classroom.
But our world is constantly changing; and it is time to rethink how our education programs are offered.
I am pleased that Montgomery County’s library system is the first, in Maryland, to offer this innovative online program.
This program provides hard-working people with the opportunity to not only earn their diploma but to also get certified in a specialized area of study in eight high-demand, high-growth fields.
A high school diploma is an important tool, one that opens the door to many opportunities, whether it is to get a job or to continue education.
Many people these days are working two jobs – or more – and cannot make it to traditional classes.
The option of an online program gives the flexibility of accessing the programs online 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Students who do not have access to computers can go to any one of our 21 library branches to work on the program.
To the five current applicants of this program, I say CONGRATULATIONS!
You made a decision to enroll in the program and are willing to work hard to earn your high school diploma. At whatever point in life you start, it is an endeavor to be lauded.
This won’t always be an easy road, and there will be obstacles and road blocks. In the end, though, it WILL be worth it; and you, and the County as a whole, will be the better for it.
Thank you for being here today!
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Wednesday, September 7, 2016; 1:30 p.m.