On Feb. 27, the Pikes Peak Library District officially launched its Career Online High School program, an online high school diploma and career certification program. The program is open to residents, age 17 and older, who live within the library districtís service area. The applicants must have completed eighth grade, according to the PPLD website.Teona Shainidez-Krebs, adult education manager for the PPLD, said the COHS is not a GED diploma program but rather a high school equivalency program, so students will receive an actual high school diploma upon successful completion of the COHS. ìRight now, the Pikes Peak Library District adult education provides high school equivalency classes for a GED, English as a second language classes and one-on-one tutoring sessions,î she said. ìThe COHS is a great addition to all the programs we are already offering.îShainidez-Krebs said there is a screening process for anyone interested in participating that includes a self-assessment test and a prerequisite course. Potential students must complete the course with a 70 percent or higher grade; and, after that, they take a placement test, she said. Finally, a panel interviews each application to determine if they qualify for the program, Shainidez-Krebs said.In the first round of classes, three individuals received scholarships to participate in the program. The Pikes Peak Library District Foundation and the Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District provided funding for the scholarships, which allowed each student to participate free-of-charge, Shainidez-Krebs said.ìUpon successful completion, students have a high school diploma and a career training certificate of their choosing,î she said. Certificates include child care and education; certified protection officer; certified transportation services; office management; homeland security; general career preparation/professional skills; retail customer service skills; and food and customer service skills.The average time to complete the COHS is 12 months, although the current session will take about 18 months, Shainidez-Krebs said. The time involved depends on how many high school credits a student transfers to the COHS when they begin, which could be as many as 14, she said. In that event, the program could take as few as five months to complete.ìIndividuals who are not eligible for COHS can participate in our other options,î she said. ìThere are other resources as well like our high school equivalency prep classes. We understand that people have different needs and learning styles, so that is why we offer unique paths for them to get their education; and the COHS is just another way to empower them.î
