Select New Jersey Public Libraries to Offer Online High School Completion Program

TRENTON, N.J. and FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Oct. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Several public libraries throughout New Jersey are offering residents the opportunity to earn accredited high school diplomas and credentialed career certificates through Career Online High School, a program brought to libraries by Gale and arranged locally through the New Jersey State Library (NJSL), an affiliate of Thomas Edison State College. Qualified residents will be able to earn a high school diploma completely online and gain valuable career skills.

Thanks to a Literacy Innovations grant awarded to the State Library by the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the following libraries are making the program available for free to residents:

• Camden County Library System
• Elizabeth Public Library
• Long Branch Free Public Library
• Scotch Plains Public Library
• Somerset County Library System
• Trenton Free Public Library

Currently, there are nearly 700,000 adults in New Jersey aged 25 and over who lack a high school diploma or equivalent, almost 12% of the state's population. 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. Seats are limited and restrictions apply.

"This innovative project is the latest step in the transformation of public libraries in the digital age into full-fledged community resources," said Mary Chute, New Jersey State Librarian. "New Jersey's libraries are committed to supporting the development of a well-educated and well-trained workforce, which will enable New Jersey's employers to compete in the global market."

The libraries will award scholarships for Career Online High School to qualified learners. 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. Many students are able to graduate in as few as 4 to 6 months by transferring in previously earned high school credits.

"Libraries are evolving beyond books into true educational institutions and Gale is delighted to be the partner to make that happen," said Frank Menchaca, senior vice president for global product management at Gale. "This is the first statewide implementation of Career Online High School and we can't wait to see the impact it will have on communities and the students themselves."

New Jersey residents interested in the Career Online High School program should visit www.njstatelib.org/yourdiploma. For more information on Career Online High School, please visit http://www.careeronlinehs.gale.com/. For more information on the economic impact of high school completion and adult education, download the whitepaper at http://assets.cengage.com/wp_cohs.pdf.

About Cengage Learning and Gale                                      
Cengage Learning is a leading educational content, technology and services company, empowering educators and driving learner engagement through personalized services and course-driven digital solutions that bridge from the library to the classroom. Gale, part of Cengage Learning, serves the world's information and education needs through its vast and dynamic content pools, which are used by students and consumers in their libraries, schools and on the Internet. It is best known for the accuracy, breadth and convenience of its data, addressing all types of information needs – from homework help to health questions to business profiles – in a variety of formats. For more information, visit www.cengage.com or www.gale.cengage.com.

About the New Jersey State Library                          
The New Jersey State Library, an affiliate of Thomas Edison State College, connects people with information and resources through its service to libraries, government and people including those with special needs. The State Library's mission has expanded since its establishment in 1796 to lead in the provision, promotion and support of high quality library and information services to all the people of New Jersey. Led by State Librarian Mary Chute, the State Library coordinates, promotes and funds the New Jersey Library Network by providing advisory and technical information and services to support New Jersey's libraries in the fulfillment of their missions. The State Library also provides support for public, school, academic, and special libraries, and continues to promote services for learners of all ages, including key areas of continuing need such as digital literacy, business outreach, workforce development, and summer reading programs. The State Library continues its focus on innovation and future trends, and seeks out exemplary models and technologies that can help assist the New Jersey library community in remaining relevant and essential community anchors. For more information, visit www.njstatelib.org.  

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SOURCE Cengage Learning