Online High School Diploma Program

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

In January 2017, the San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department (PSD) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with San Bernardino County Library and First 5 San Bernardino to establish a program focused on increasing the number of Head Start parents who successfully obtain a high school diploma. The MOU provides parents the opportunity to enroll in and complete an online high school diploma through an accredited high school at no charge. Family engagement contributes to children's school readiness and healthy development. When parents advance their own education they are better equipped to guide and promote the everyday learning of their children at home and in school. San Bernardino County First 5 has provided funding for up to 100 parents to enroll in the Career Online High School Diploma Program (COHS). The San Bernardino County Library is involved in the administration of the onboarding and processing of students, while providing free use of computers located in any of its 32 branch libraries throughout San Bernardino County’s vast geographical region. The first parent signed up and began the program in March 2017. Within the first twelve months of implementing this program, 286 parents had signed up to participate and PSD is working with them to successfully complete the program. While 18 months is considered the average length of time to complete the program, one parent graduated after only 6 months completing the required coursework.