Congratulations Meeka Zink, Indiana University High School Online Graduate

Meeka Zink receives a diploma from Dr. Kay Antonelli, Frankfort Senior High School Principal after completing her graduation requirements through the Indiana University High School /Community Action Program partnership program at the Purdue Extension Learning Network.

Congratulations Meeka Zink who has completed her course requirements to receive a Frankfort High School diploma by picking up the extra course work she needed at the Purdue Extension Learning Network. Meeka is a great example of a student that did not quit, even though her 4 years of high school were over. Meeka is now employed in Clinton County and hopes to attend Ivy Tech in the future.

Jeremy Bolinger, of the Community Action Program expressed his congratulations and suggested that she could now be eligible for scholarship money to continue her education. This high school credit recovery program is now serving students from all four county schools and is important because a high school diploma is now desired over a GED to enlist in the military and by most employers in Clinton County. Although, the high school graduation in Clinton County is improving there are many students that are close but need a credit recovery program to obtain their diploma.

The prevalence of high dropout rates not only impact students, but also the communities and nation due to the loss of productive workers and the earnings they would have generated. There are also higher costs associated with increased jail time, health care and social services needs that high school drop outs are more likely to require. Studies show a lifetime cost of $1.7 to $2.3 million to the nation for each student who drops out of high school and goes on to a life of drugs and crime. According to research conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, people who lack a high school diploma earn nearly a quarter of a million dollars less over their lifetimes than those with a diploma. Therefore, a High School diploma translates to better living conditions, better meals, better childcare, and a better quality of life all together; not to mention a decreased burden on society.

And so responding to this need Purdue Extension’s Learning Network of Clinton County has partnered with Indiana University High School (IUHS) , and Community Action Program (CAP) to provide an educational opportunity to those wishing to complete a high school diploma, needing high school credit recovery, wanting to supplement their current schedule with an AP course, or would like to be able complete a course that was unavailable to them due to scheduling conflicts. The flexible delivery format of the over 100 individual classes offered by IUHS allows for students to work at their own pace. The Purdue Extension Learning Network provides a quiet learning environment with a computer lab, cohort groups, and facilitators/tutors (all of whom are teachers) available to work with students 4 hours a week as well as on an on-call basis. IUHS offers a 25% tuition discount to all Clinton County residents enrolled in this program. Scholarships for payment of full course costs and books are available for qualifying students through CAP as well as support services and career planning.