By Shirley Hawkins
Contributing Writer
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Public Library as well as the Los Angeles County Library system are offering programs to help people earn their high school diplomas online.
The program is free to adults who are age 19 and older who live or work in Los Angeles and does not require U.S. citizenship or a transcript. Adults who have already received a high school diploma or equivalency are not eligible.
The Los Angeles Public Library program requires applicants to take an online “Are You Ready?” survey before they are allowed to enroll in and complete a prerequisite course in two weeks or less.
After taking the prerequisite course, a library staff member will contact the applicant to discuss their scholarship only after they complete the prerequisite course.
The flexible and free online course provides a personal academic coach to help the applicant to succeed; convenient 24/7 online classroom access; tools that one needs to start or advance their career, including a resume and cover letter; and special training focused on today’s top 10 in-demand industries.
Adults can earn their high school diploma in as few as five months.
“It’s a wonderful program,” said Kelly Tyler, manager of the Office of Education and Literacy for the Los Angeles Public Library. “It helps people to reach their educational goals and it offers a good alternative to improving a person’s future.
“Having the opportunity to have people meet their goals in a non-traditional way because they had issues at school, were bullied and dropped out or because they have busy schedules makes this program ideal,” Tyler added.
According to Tyler, as of July 1, 975 people have graduated from the program.
Library administrators said that a high school diploma will be a pathway to opportunities for higher education, a better job or promotion, increased self-confidence and higher pay.
Eduardo Ramirez, 26, and his mother, Marguerita, enrolled in the online diploma course and recently graduated together.
“Now, I don’t have a job, I have a career,” said Ramirez, who recently started a job at Northrop Grumman as an aircraft technician.
“It is never too late to get started” he added. “Don’t be hesitant. The opportunity is there.”
For more information, contact the Office of Education and Literacy at 213-228-7037 or visit cohs@lapl.org.
Shirley Hawkins is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers. She can be reached at metropressnews@gmail.com.
