Thirty-Seven Years After Dropping Out of High School, Student Gets A Second Chance

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Carmelita's story is truly inspiring, and we congratulate her on her tremendous accomplishment

Chandler, AZ (PRWEB) June 18, 2009

"For years I have desired to earn my high school diploma, and then earn my college degree. I am elated that I have NovaNET as my guide…With the assistance of NovaNET, I am 'off the hook' and closer to reaching my goal."

In 1972, during her last semester of high school, Carmelita Clark became pregnant, and also became so ill she had to drop out of school. Thirty-seven years later, at the age of 54, she decided to continue her education. As the Grand Prize winner of Pearson' s 2009 "In School and Off the Hook" NovaNET Essay contest, Carmelita gives a first hand account of how it is never too late to get "off the hook" and pursue your dream.

After recovering from her illness, Carmelita's classmates had graduated and moved on. As a new mother, employment became her top priority, and, as she writes in her essay, "at that point, education became obsolete to me, unfortunately. I did not realize the importance of receiving my diploma; as a result, I was rarely promoted and encountered many layoffs. Quite often, because of a lack of education, I was often terminated or someone with more qualifications replaced me."

Following years of frustrating experiences, Carmelita decided she want to go back to school, and enrolled at the Puritan Adult Education Center in the Detroit Public School system. It was there that she found her new best friend NovaNET, the online courseware system from Pearson, which she credits with helping her to succeed as a student.

"(NovaNET) provides a different way of teaching and learning. I did not know how to use a computer, but lessons within NovaNET aided and developed my skills. I feel as though NovaNET talks to me through the quizzes and various tests. When a quiz arises throughout the lesson and I am stuck, I can try again. If I need assistance, lessons are assigned. NovaNET will not advance me to the next lesson, until I get it right."

Carmelita graduated this month from Puritan with her high school diploma, and in the fall she will attend Wayne County Community College, majoring in Business Administration.

"It amazes me that I am finally on my way to accomplish one of my goals. Many thanks to NovaNET!"

In addition to winning a scholarship for college, Carmelita will be honored by Pearson at an event later this year, where she will have the opportunity to meet educators and tell her story to officials from school districts around the country.

"NovaNET provided Carmelita with the opportunity to gain self-confidence, grow in understanding, and engage in the process of learning," said April D. Seworth, English and Lead NovaNET Teacher, Puritan Adult Education Center. "She was able to work at her own pace on science, English, mathematics and social studies lessons, and recover the credits she needed for graduation."

"Carmelita's story is truly inspiring, and we congratulate her on her tremendous accomplishment," said Bob Roliardi, President, Pearson Digital. "She showed great determination and perseverance to achieve her goal, and we are honored to have been able to play a small part in her success."

Through the NovaNET essay contest, students are asked to write on a specific topic tied to how NovaNET improved their lives and helped them reach their goals or graduation or equivalent. This year's theme was "Stay in School," with students asked to write how staying in school got them "off the hook." To read the essays from all the winners, visit: http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator=PSZgNj&WT.mc_id=DPM09_Q1_DPCR_NN_ESSAY

About NovaNET
NovaNET is an all-inclusive system that delivers a return on investment quickly, from delivering thousands of hours of research and standards-based, interactive curriculum, to integrated assessment and student management. Middle school students use NovaNET to prepare for high school while high schoolers can recover credits, build basic skills and prep for the GED or SAT with the online system. NovaNET is delivered to students online from secure servers dedicated exclusively to the courseware, offering students and schools maximum flexibility. Aligned to state and national standards, NovaNET offers students access to learning success any time, any place at any pace.

About Pearson
Pearson (NYSE:PSO), the global leader in education and education technology, reaches and engages today's digital natives with effective and personalized learning, as well as dedicated professional development for their teachers. This commitment is demonstrated in the company's investment in innovative print and digital education materials for preK through college, student information systems and learning management systems, teacher professional development, career certification programs, and testing and assessment products that set the standard for the industry. The company's respected brands include Scott Foresman, Prentice Hall, Addison Wesley, Benjamin Cummings, PEMSolutions, Stanford 10, SuccessNet, MyLabs, PowerSchool, SuccessMaker and many others. Pearson's comprehensive offerings help inform targeted instruction and intervention so that success is within reach of every student at every level of education. Pearson's commitment to education for all is supported by the global philanthropic initiatives of the Pearson Foundation. Pearson's other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group. For more information, go to http://www.pearson.com.

Contact:
Rod Granger
Pearson
212-641-6114
rod.granger(at)pearsoned.com

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