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G2S Project Code: 2022-TX-92321
State: Texas
Fiscal Year: 2022
Grantee
HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Ricardo Peralez
Director Phone: 832-393-1400
Director Email: ricardo.peralez@houstontx.gov
General Information
Title: Career Online High School
State Project Code: SPP-23010
Start Date: 09/01/2022
End Date: 08/31/2023
Abstract: The Houston Public Library expanded the Career Online High School (COHS) program by providing tuition, computers and internet access to 28 new program participants in FY23. Career Online High School (COHS) is a SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) accredited program that enables adults age 21+ access to high school completion through program partner, Smart Horizons. This includes up to 10 credits in a vocational career or college credit transfer upon graduation. This program targets adults who cannot attend a traditional night school or GED program due to work or family conflicts. COHS participants also elect a workforce track and earn a trade certificate and/or college credits which can be transferred to a post-secondary degree.
State Goal: Goal 2: Access to resources and services to meet community and personal goals.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$75,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$75,000.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Education
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Career Online High School
Narrative: Houston Public Library awarded tuition scholarships to 28 individuals and supplied them with Chromebook computers and curriculum to help the complete the Career Online High School program. Career Online High School (COHS) is a SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) accredited program that enables adults age 21+ access to high school completion through program partner, Smart Horizons. This includes up to 10 credits in a vocational career or college credit transfer upon graduation. Career Online High School is provided through cafecollege Houston. COHS students are able to 1) take up to 18 months to complete their High School diploma 2) have access to an academic coach while studying for the high school degree 3) take up to 10 credits towards a college accredited degree or trade program, increasing their chances to enroll in postsecondary school and 4) increase their earning potential. cafecollege Houston staff promote the program through print, social media and grass roots footwork/word of mouth to attract applicants every quarter. Once applications are received, they are reviewed and assessed by HPL staff. Three cafecollege Houston staff members assisted with vetting candidates for scholarship awards. Staff from HPL provided all the support to direct prospective students to the initial survey and two-week pre-requisite course for Career Online High School. cafecollege Houston partners with Smart Horizons as the content provider for this program at a reduced rate tuition of $1295 per student for their online and in-person high school diploma program. As part of this partnership, Smart Horizons provides students with access to the educational content online, a customized web portal with accredited program content for HPL, online coaches and technical assistance to students to ensure success, and monitors participation to keep students on track for completion. This enables HPL to deliver on demand content. Each registered student receives 30 days free of charge to begin the program. At that time, Smart Horizons staff monitor their progress (i.e. do they log in at all, how much work do they complete) and accesses if the student will be able to complete the program in a timely manner. After that 30-day trial period, the student will receive 17 additional months (for total of 18 months) to complete the entire educational program and receive their high school degree. HPL is charged for the tuition fee after the initial 30 day trial. Students who do not have access to internet or computers at home may visit their neighborhood library to complete coursework or check out a library issued laptop and hotspot to complete the program.
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Combined physical & digital


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 30
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 3
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 0
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: 18-25 years
26-49 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: those without a high school education


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 500 MCKINNEY ST
City: HOUSTON
State: TX
Zip: 77002
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Through informational workshops, 537 applicants received information on enrolling in the Career Online High School program or assistance from HPL cafeCollege on advancing their educational and career goals. Twenty-eight (28) applicants received TSLAC scholarships to complete the COHS program. We served 3 people over our original goal of 25 scholarship recipients.We are very happy to have helped additional participants with this grant opportunity and have several names on the waiting list should future scholarship opportunities arise.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
There is great interest in the program. There is a waiting list of new applicants who would like to enroll should additional funding become available.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
It is important to have a designated COHS Manager at the library. This person is the point of contact for the Smart Horizons Academic Advisors therefore receiving updates about the progress through the probationary period. The manager also monitors the student progress and reaches out to Smart Horizons with any questions received from the students or questions that arise when prospective students contact us with questions. It is also important for multiple staff to be knowledgeable about the program for the frequent inquiries that we receive and to have other staff trained to access Smart Horizons databases for students who complete the prerequisite course and other databases that are available about the students in the program. It is best to have multiple staff receive Readiness Survey alerts. It is also best to cc all staff on the manager’s response to the Readiness survey. This serves to keep everyone in the office informed about contact with prospective students in case future contact is made by these students. Along with the Readiness Survey and successful completion of the 2-week prerequisite course, we have found the interview to be a helpful screening tool. The 1-month probationary period also serves as a valuable screening tool. It is helpful for the students and HPL to find out if the pacing, academics and format are a good fit.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: High School Equivalency/GED, Workforce Development