Financial News and Daily Record: Library offering new program to help adults get their diploma

Financial News and Daily Record

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=546855

By Max Marbut, Staff Writer

It’s for those who fell behind.

Duval County Public Schools in the 2014-15 school year set a record for graduation rate with 76.6 percent of seniors earning high school diplomas.

That means 6,481 students successfully completed their secondary school education.

It also means 23.4 percent of students — 1,979 — did not earn a diploma last year.

Over the past four school years, 8,874 students have finished the public school program without enough credits to earn a diploma.

Having fewer high school and college graduates is a factor that negatively affects the community’s ability to attract new businesses.

Quality of the workforce is always considered when companies look at Jacksonville for expansion, said Tina Wirth, vice president of workforce development at the JAX Chamber.

“Usually, it’s No. 1,” she said.

For people in Duval County who didn’t graduate from high school, there are programs available that can allow them to earn a diploma.

Florida State College at Jacksonville offers Adult High School, a program for students ages 18-29. It’s for people who have at least a 1.7 grade point average and need less than seven credits to meet graduation requirements.

Day and evening courses are offered at the Downtown Campus and the tuition fee is $30 per term.

College spokeswoman Jill Johnson said there are 181 students this term in Adult High School.

The newest program available for adults who want a diploma is available at the Jacksonville Public Library.

Since Nov. 30, the library has been enrolling students in Career Online High School. The program is accredited by AdvancED, which is affiliated with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement.

Jacksonville’s is one of 11 public library systems in the state that offers the program through a grant from the Florida Department of State Division of Library and Information Services.

Candidates should have completed ninth grade, have a library card, access to a computer and must commit to study at least eight hours each week.

Classes are taught online, so students can study around their family or work schedule.

The course can be completed in as little as five months when a student transfers 15 high school credits. Students who begin with no credits may take up to 18 months to earn their diploma.

The first step is a self-assessment that determines the student’s educational and career needs.

Prospective students must then complete a two-week prerequisite course that identifies a career track they’d like to pursue after they earn their diploma.

Career modules that accompany the diploma program include retail, food and customer service skills, child care and education and office management skills.

The certified protection officer module prepares a student for employment as a security guard.

Students also can prepare to earn a commercial driver’s license or prepare for an entry-level position as a homeland security officer, compliance inspector or baggage handler.

“When they graduate, they have an authentic high school diploma and a head start on a career of their choice,” said Katie Devanny, literacy program manager in the Main Library’s Center for Adult Learning.

Students are assigned an online academic coach who monitors his or her progress and helps them through the curriculum.

Students also may visit the center and work with library staff to ensure they keep up with their class requirements and stay on the path to graduation.

“We’re dealing with a population that often has problems with deadlines,” said Devanny. “I look at the library as a parent. We don’t want to set anyone up for failure. We want them to succeed.”

The program has 70 scholarships remaining that cover the $1,600 tuition for the program. Students must enroll by March 31.

For more information, visit jaxpubliclibrary.org/cohs.
mmarbut@jaxdailyrecord.com
(904) 356-2466