PARIS, Ill. (WCIA) — Paris School District leaders are helping adults who were not able to finish their high school education.
They are now offering free online classes. They are one of only 45 school districts in the state doing this.
District leaders describe this as an alternative for people who just could not make traditional education work. It all came about because people in Paris told the school district they needed it. Many of them had trouble getting jobs or promotions because of a lack of education.
Superintendent Jeremy Larson says they are happy to offer this in a way that is easy for people to access. “A lot of times when people are going a far distance, it’s one extra barrier, and these are people that have already experienced enough barriers in their life that they just need help and support, and so, who better to help them than their local people?” said Larson. The district is using resources they already have to pay for the program. The only requirement to be part of it is being over 21 and living in Paris.
There are two ways to earn a diploma through this program:
- Just like a high schooler would, by registering online and taking classes.
- You can test out completely. It is called the TASC exam, or Test Assessing Secondary Completion.
Anyone wanting to sign up should bring proof of residency and transcripts to show where their education ended. District leaders say they have had people with no high school credits at all enter their program, so there should be nothing to hold anyone back.
If you would like to sign up for the program or have any questions, please contact Paris Union School District 95 Superintendent Jeremy Larson at (217) 264-0835.
