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Local Adult School Options: A Resolution That Changes Lives

Submitted by Dr. Randy Haggard

OAKHURST — Yosemite Adult School, part of Yosemite Unified School District, is proud to announce that they have expanded the Adult Diploma program. There are many reasons why someone may have dropped out of high school, and the Adult Diploma program allows people over 18 years of age to return to school to finish their high school diploma.

This time of the year it seems that everyone is talking about their New Year’s resolution. We hear about losing weight, getting more organized, spending less and saving more. Although all of these are worthy goals, none of these can affect the person’s life, and the lives of their family, like finishing their high school education by receiving their high school diploma. Among the many reasons someone might have never graduated are the birth of a child, illness or death of a loved one, or simply the fact that the traditional high school education is not for everyone.

According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, the average annual income for a high school dropout is approximately $17,000, while the high school graduate’s average annual income is approximately $27,000. The unemployment rate of a high school dropout is 8.5 percent, whereas the unemployment rate of a high school graduate is only 5.2 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. On average, a high school graduate lives nine year longer than a high school dropout and is less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease, cancer, lung disease, diabetes and infections.

Yosemite Adult School received restorative funding for the Adult Education and Adult Diploma programs through the Adult Education Block Grant (Assembly Bill 104). This money has allowed the Adult Education program to rehire an additional full-time instructor for the Adult Diploma program as of January 4 this year. The program is designed to address the needs of the adult learner and is an independent study model. Enrollment is on-going.

Students meet with one of the two instructors in the program for an hour a week to receive their assignments and take any tests that are required. The available hours for this program are Monday and Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Tuesday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., to accommodate adult student’s needs to work in regards to work and child-care schedules.

Our past students come from all backgrounds and range in age from 18 to 80s. What better New Year’s resolution than returning to school to finish where you left off? You too can walk across that stage as a Graduate.

For information on how to change a resolution to accomplishment contact Yosemite Adult Education at 559 683-8801 ext. 366. You can stop by at our office located near the football field on the Yosemite High School Campus at 50200 Road 427 in Oakhurst.

Dr. Randy Haggard, Principal, Adult Education Yosemite Unified School District

Yosemite Unified School District

 

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