Ashworth High School Named Curriculum Provider for U.S. Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Job Corps Centers

Distance learning leader provides regionally accredited education essential to career success

NORCROSS, Ga., Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ashworth College today announced that its Ashworth High School division has been named the preferred provider of high school curriculum to thirteen Forestry Service Job Corps Centers, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the local youth the Centers support. Ashworth and Ashworth High School (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu) are leaders in accredited distance and online education and offer a wide range of flexible career-focused diploma and degree programs.

The Forest Service Job Corps affiliate, and its national parent organization, provides educational assistance to local youth so that they can improve their quality of life through vocational and academic training. In combination with hands-on career training and at no cost to the student or family, participating students complete core classes to fulfill graduation requirements.

"Our high school diploma programs have been developed to specifically address the needs of working adults and non-traditional high school students, making Ashworth a natural fit," said Leslie Gargiulo, Vice President of Education for Ashworth College and Ashworth High School.

"We're excited to be working with the Forest Service Job Corps. Like us, they are committed to teaching young people the skills needed to become employable, which can include completing their high school education," Dr. Gargiulo added. "By helping these students earn a high school diploma, together we will be giving them significant career advantages, compared to not having a diploma or a GED."

The Forest Service maintains centers in 12 states, offering a range of skilled trade courses including carpentry, electrician training, auto mechanics, landscaping and forestry.

An Ounce of Prevention

According to a recent speech by President Obama, more than 3,300 American youth drop out of high school every day. Many of these students have already experienced a long process of academic disengagement with minimal support or encouragement in school or at home before finally running out of motivation.

Sadly, it's often the start of a trend that will follow them for life. Without a high school diploma they will have a harder time finding a job, and they will earn much less when they do find one. They are more prone to health issues, living in poverty, and themselves having children at an early age, who in turn have a higher propensity to drop out of high school themselves.

On a brighter note, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, high school graduates can earn as much as 23% more per year compared to someone who did not receive a high school diploma. Through its partnership with Job Corps, Ashworth is able to offer an extensive high school curriculum which includes high school correspondence courses and high school online diploma programs in general, college preparatory and vocational studies.

"We are excited to offer these students a regionally accredited high school diploma, compared to a GED," said Melissa Maddox, Ashworth Educational Services Manager. Maddox referenced a recent poll of current Ashworth students that showed students and employers alike place significantly more value on a high school diploma compared to a GED.

About the U.S. Forest Service

Established in 1905, the Forest Service is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Forest Service manages public lands in national forests and grasslands encompassing 193 million acres of land -- an area equivalent to the size of Texas. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Forest Service is part of the Department of Agriculture and operates through nine geographical regions around the country.

About Job Corps

Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 through 24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. For eligible youth at least 16 years of age, Job Corps provides all-around skills needed to succeed in a career and in life.

About Ashworth College and Ashworth High School

Ashworth College, a leader in online education, offers students worldwide more than 100 online college degrees, online career certificates, online career training and high school online diplomas that are affordable and fit the busy schedules of working adults. Ashworth also offers military education online as well as specialized programs for corporate partners and homeschoolers.

Headquartered in Norcross, GA, Ashworth is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Ashworth High School is further accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). For more information, visit http://www.ashworthcollege.edu.

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Dr. Leslie Gargiulo, Ph.D.

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SOURCE Ashworth College