FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 Contacts:       Chris Boivin, (904) 630-7595

                                                                                          (904) 759-5643-cell, Cboivin@coj.net

                                                     Olga Bayer, OBayer@coj.net

 

 

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 7, 2016 – On Feb. 29, 2016, Micah Moulton became Florida’s first graduate to receive his high school diploma from the Career Online High School program provided through the Jacksonville Public Library.

 

Moulton, 22, was awarded one of the 74 scholarships (17 have been awarded to date) for the Career Online High School (COHS) AdvancED/SACS-accredited program being offered at Jacksonville Public Library’s Center for Adult Learning. The library was chosen as one of 11 libraries across Florida to participate in the private, accredited high school program, which is made possible by the State of Florida and Gale Cengage Learning.

 

Moulton attended Coral Springs High School, but was unable to pass the standardized FCAT, so he was given a certificate of completion rather than a diploma. He wants to become a Certified Protection Officer, and COHS gave him the opportunity to obtain both the diploma he needs and career preparation to receive the CPO certification from the State. Moulton never thought he’d have the chance to receive a diploma and move forward until he read about COHS in the library’s monthly newsletter.

 

Students have 18 months to complete COHS, which consists of 18 credits, and includes coursework in high-growth, high-demand career fields as well as core academic subjects.  They may transfer up to 14 credits from their former high school, and depending on how many credits are transferred, they may complete the program in an average of five months. For information about Career Online High School at Jacksonville Public Library, visit jaxpubliclibrary.org/cohs or call 630-2426.

 

The Career Online High School program was funded for one year, and that funding was not renewed by the State for Fiscal Year 2016. From the program’s early results (by putting in extra hours, Moulton finished the program just two months after he entered the program, and put him on the path to a career he otherwise could not attain), the library expects the program to provide tremendous value for Jacksonville’s workforce and community. For information on how to help the library secure additional funding to continue this highly beneficial program, please call Assistant Director for Community Relations and Marketing, Chris Boivin, at (904) 630-7595 or email cboivin@coj.net.

 

 

The mission of the Jacksonville Public Library is to enrich lives, build community and foster success by bringing people, information and ideas together. Last year, more than 3.4 million visits were made to Jacksonville Public Libraries, items were checked out more than 5.9 million times, and nearly 11,000 programs and services were offered to Duval County residents at the Main Library and 20 branch locations. For more information about the Jacksonville Public Library, call 630-BOOK (2665) or visit jaxpubliclibrary.org. 

 

Follow us: 

 

 jaxpubliclibrary     jaxlibrary        

 

###