U.S. Department of Agriculture - Forest Service Job Corps Centers Renew James Madison High School Contract

Distance learning leader provides regionally accredited education essential to career success

NORCROSS, Ga., Aug. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ashworth College announced that the national contract between the Job Corps Forestry Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Ashworth's (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu) James Madison High School division has been renewed for the 2011-2012 school year.

Ashworth and James Madison are leaders in accredited distance and online education and offer a wide range of flexible career-focused diploma and degree programs.

The Forestry 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.

"We're honored that the Forestry Service values our contributions to date and wants the contract extended for another year," said Dr. Leslie Gargiulo, Vice President of Education for Ashworth College and James Madison High School. "This is an important relationship for us and one we want to continue to cultivate over the coming year."

Dr. Gargiulo went on to explain that the James Madison curricula has been developed to specifically address the needs of working adults and non-traditional high school students, making Ashworth a natural fit.

"Both James Madison High School and the Forestry Service Job Corps are committed to teaching young people necessary skills in order to become employable and this definitely includes 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 Forestry Service maintains centers in 12 states, offering a range of skilled trade courses including carpentry, electrician training, auto mechanics, landscaping and forestry.

About the U.S. Forestry Service

Established in 1905, the Forestry Service is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and 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 James Madison High School

As an online school leader, Ashworth College has built a tradition of excellence spanning 25 years, offering students worldwide more than 115 online college degrees, online certificate programs and online high school diploma options that are affordable and fit the busy schedules of working adults. Ashworth offers military education 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. James Madison High School is further accredited regionally by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). SACS CASI is an accreditation division of AdvancED. For more information, visit http://www.ashworthcollege.edu.

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Dr. Leslie Gargiulo, Ph.D.  
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SOURCE Ashworth College