NJ State Library to Deliver Accredited High School Diploma Program at Select Libraries Throughout the State

On Aug 18, 2014

The New Jersey State Library (NJSL), an affiliate of Thomas Edison State College, announced today the launch of its Online High School Completion Program, which will allow NJ residents to earn an accredited high school diploma and credentialed career certificate at their local library. The groundbreaking program is designed to reengage adults in the education system and prepare them for entry into post-secondary education or the workforce.

The State Library was recently awarded a Literacy Innovations Program grant award in the amount of $146,475 from the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The funds will be used to purchase scholarships to Gale’s Career Online High School Program, part of the world’s first accredited, private online school district, which will be offered to NJ residents at no cost to the applicant. The following libraries have been selected to offer this program to their communities:

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

The program will target NJ residents who dropped out of high school and have not returned nor taken the GED exam. Participants must be at least 19 years of age and have completed one year of high school. Scholarship recipients will be able to earn a high school diploma completely online, giving them the convenience of an anytime-anywhere online learning platform, and the ability to select a career pathway and gain career skills in high-growth, high-demand job disciplines.

Gale, part of Cengage Learning and a leading provider of educational content, tools and services to libraries, schools and businesses, recently announced the launch of Career Online High School to its library partners. NJSL’s Career Online High School Program will be the first implementation of its kind to be offered across the state.

“Helping the state’s under- and unemployed residents is a high priority of the State Library and NJ’s public libraries,” said Mary Chute, New Jersey State Librarian. “As one of our nation’s most trusted educational and community anchor institutions, and as an entity already focused on delivering adult literacy and career-based programs to those in need, we are proud to launch this program which enables libraries to continue to empower members of their communities by providing educational partnerships and economic stability. We believe this program will have a critical impact on the quality of life and economic growth of NJ communities by enabling individuals to further their education and compete for jobs with more earning potential.”

“Our literacy grant program can open the doors of opportunity for many people, from those who lack the basics in communication skills to others who need to achieve a certain level of educational certification to become employed. New Jersey employers consistently tell us they have job openings on many levels, but cannot find people with the proper skills to fill those positions. Proficiency in communicating with fellow workers, supervisors, customers and business associates is a basic requirement when applying for a job, and our literacy program helps many people each year to hone that skill,” said Commissioner Harold J. Wirths, of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

For questions or to schedule an interview with a spokesperson for the NJ State Library or a participating public library, please contact Tiffany McClary at [email protected].

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