Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, joined by Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) Director Parker Hamilton and Karen Radulovich from Gale Cengage Learning, officially recognized the first enrollees in MCPL’s recently-launched Career Online High School Diploma on September 7. MCPL is the first library system in Maryland to launch the Career Online High School, which is the world’s first accredited, private online school district.
This past June MCPL began accepting applications for the program. 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.
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 few as six months.More information about Career Online High School is available from MCPL website.
