During the 2016/2017 fiscal year, the Library, in partnership with the California State Library and Gale, part of Cengage Learning, offered ten adults the opportunity to earn both an accredited high school diploma and career credential through Career Online High School (COHS). COHS is a nationally accredited educational program offered by Gale. The goal of COHS is to bring non-traditional and/or adult learners back into the educational system and prepare them for jobs in growing sectors of the local economy. Students graduate with the tools they need to take the next step in their careers or advanced education. Currently, 38 libraries in California are using Career Online High School, including, in the East Bay, Richmond Public Library, Alameda County Library, Berkeley Public Library and Hayward Public Library. Of the 38 programs, 36 of the participating libraries received support from the California State Library in order to implement it.  
  
If funded, this grant will allow the Library to enroll five more adults in COHS. Each enrollment is valued at $1,095, for a total of $5,475, and will be paid for from grant funds. The Contra Costa County Library will provide access to COHS via Adult Literacy library staff housed at the Pittsburg Library. Based on outcomes from libraries already participating in the program, this educational approach appears to be having a significantly more positive effect on both the participants and the community at large than is estimated would occur for these adult learners through a traditional GED program. Research shows that persons with high school diplomas end up earning an average of about $1500 per month more than persons with GEDs. Also, 73 percent of students who received a high school diploma went on to complete at least some post-secondary education, while less than half (43 percent) of GED certificate recipients did so. Furthermore, only 5 percent earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. In contrast, of high school diploma holders, 33 percent earned this level of education. The program is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy. Because students can also obtain a career credential in addition to a diploma, the program should also introduce more skilled graduates to the local workforce. Prospective students wishing to be considered for admittance to the program must complete an online self-assessment and a two-week prerequisite course designed by COHS to determine if they will be successful. Students are then required to be interviewed by Adult Literacy library staff to determine their overall capability to complete the program. Those persons that complete both steps in the application process will be eligible to enroll in the program. In 2016/2017 FY the Library enrolled ten students on a "first come, first served" basis.

If the proposal is not approved, the Library will not be able to offer and provide access to Career Online High School to qualified county residents/adult learners.