The Kansas Online Learning Program Announces New Adult Learner Initiative

Program enables adults to earn their high school diploma via an online program

LOST SPRINGS, Kan., April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Kansas Online Learning Program, an online learning program for Kansas students provided through the Centre School District, is proud to announce their newest service in Kansas education, the Adult Learner Program.  

"We are very excited to offer adults of all ages a way to get their high school diploma," said KOLP coordinator Vickie Jirak.  "Our online courses allow students to work at their own pace, around their schedule, and from the comfort of their own home. Now that applies to adult students who want to complete their high school education and take control of their future."

The Kansas Online Learning Program's Adult Learner Program is open to all Kansas residents who have not received their high school diploma. Those adults that have received their GED are also eligible for enrollment. Students who graduate from the program will receive their diploma from the Centre School District, a Kansas accredited school.

"Our tuition-free program allows adult students to earn the necessary credits needed to complete their high school education, whether they need five credits or 25 credits," said Jirak.

Over the last decade, more than 39,000 Kansas students have dropped out of high school. According to a report by the Kansas Commission on Graduation and Dropout Prevention and Recovery, Kansas residents who do not receive a high school education are more likely than their graduated peers to live in poverty and be unemployed.

"Our Adult Learner Program empowers Kansans to further their education and make them more viable for future job opportunities," said Jirak. "And because they can get their diploma in the comfort of their own home, around their busy schedule, it won't impact their current employment."

The Kansas Online Learning Program utilizes the Lincoln Interactive curriculum for high school students, which offers an extensive course catalog relevant to today's educational landscape including in-depth core courses and electives, seven languages, and advanced biology, energy and engineering classes through the Cutting Edge Science curriculum.

"The Lincoln Interactive curriculum is dedicated to providing student-centered, engaging curriculum for adult learners," said Kathleen Higgins of the National Network of Digital Schools, the exclusive developer and provider of Lincoln Interactive. "LI provides students with the most current and up to date courses combining 21st century skills, interactive labs and highly qualified teachers to help students master the required high school credits in Kansas."

In addition to the tuition-free, online program, each adult student will receive a computer, online books, and access to all of KOLP's student services.

Adult students interested in learning more about the Adult Learner Program are invited to attend one of KOLP's upcoming information and enrollment sessions, now through May in various cities across the state. A full list of events can be found online at www.kansasonlinelearning.org. Interested students may also contact the school directly at 785-366-6923.

About The Kansas Online Learning Program:  Founded in 2010, the Kansas Online Learning Program (KOLP) is an online learning program open to all full-time kindergarten through 12th grade students living in the state of Kansas. The program is provided through Centre School District and is tuition free for Kansas families, with only minimal student fees. New for the 2011-2012 school year, KOLP is accepting adult learners who wish to complete their education and receive their high school diploma.

About NNDS: The National Network of Digital Schools (NNDS) is a 501(c)3 non-profit management foundation, dedicated to providing the highest quality K-12 online curriculum and comprehensive management services to traditional brick and mortar schools, charter schools and cyber schools focused on expanding educational opportunities for students. NNDS is the developer and provider of the nation's premier online learning curriculum, Lincoln Interactive.

Contact: Toni Cicone Craig, 724-544-3744 (c)

SOURCE National Network of Digital Schools