Local residents are first to earn their high school diplomas through innovative program offered by Gail Borden Public Library
For the the first time in its long history, three Elgin residents and one South Elgin resident will be recognized for earning their high school diploma through the unique Career Online High School program at Gail Borden Public Library.
Elgin Community College President Dr. David Sam will offer a commencement address at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 29, in the Meadows Community Room at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in downtown Elgin.
During this special event, Carole Medal, the library's executive director, will be the ceremony accompanist. Several Gail Borden Library trustees also will participate.
COHS, in partnership with Gale, a part of Cengage Learning, is an online accredited high school diploma and career certification program.
Gail Borden Public Library awards scholarships for Career Online High School to qualified learners looking to earn a high school diploma and advance their careers.
Once enrolled, Career Online High School pairs each student 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 (across a wide spectrum from child care and education to certified transportation), before progressing to the core academic subjects. Students are able to graduate in as few as six months by transferring in previously earned high school credits but are given up to 18 months to complete the program.
These four graduates completed their studies to earn their high school diploma. In addition students may explore a career area ; of the four Gail Borden Public Library graduates, two students completed the general career preparation area, one completed the child care focus, and one completed the certified protection officer focus area.
"There is a great need for this program in the community, Many of our interviewed applicants have tried to earn their GED, but the on-site classroom requirements (for the GED) are not as easy to manage for working adults as the online pacing of the COHS program," said Melissa Lane, Manager of Information Services. "For every online spot that we have awarded to a student, 4 or 5 others must be declined. The library would be able to fill many more spots in the program if more funding were available."
Gail Borden officials thank Reaching Across Illinois Library System for its support of this program as well these sponsors: Gail Borden Public Library Foundation, Lundstrom Insurance and Elgin Noon Rotary Club.
Residents can learn more about Career Online High School at www.gailborden.info/diploma.