The Los Angeles Public Library announced last week that it is teaming up with a private online learning company to debut a program in which residents can earn an accredited high school diploma.
Many public libraries offer programs to prepare students, and in some cases administer, the General Educational Development test. Library officials, however, believe this is the first time a public library will be offering an accredited high school diploma to adult students, who will take courses online but will meet at the library for assistance and to interact with fellow adult learners.
Applicants must pass an initial evaluation to become eligible for a library-sponsored scholarship to attend Career Online High School, a kind of private online school district through the Smart Horizons corporation, based in Pensacola, Fla.