Students Earn Diplomas in Jail

During the January 12th Board of Education meeting, Attendance Officer Shelly Cantrell and Sheriff Donald Craig delivered a presentation on the Second Chance ProgramAccording to the presentation, the program is headed by Sheriff Craig and is designed to assist students in jail.

“We have some students who for whatever reason dropped-out, got in trouble, (and) are incarcerated,” Cantrell explained, “Through part of the judges working with Mountain Education, part of the conditions of release, the students must get their education and part of that is through enrolling in Mountain Education.”

She said that three or four computers are available to the incarcerated students. According to Cantrell, the computers are equipped with SKYPE (a type of video phone) software. So, if the students have questions regarding their lessons, they can communicate with tutors and teachers through the SKYPE to ask their questions and receive the proper help with lessons. Sheriff Donald Craig said that currently five students participate in the program, two of which are close to graduation. Craig added that they try to focus on students who are closer to graduating.

“It’s working very well,”

Cantrell said, commenting on the program,

“we’re very pleased with the results.”

Also, Cantrell gave the drop-out report, which reported no drop-outs for the month of December.