CCCS Internal 
Colorado community colleges will soon offer career-connected high school diplomas thanks to approval from the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE) this May.
The endorsement follows the passage of Senate Bills 23-007 and 24-051, which gave community colleges full authority to develop and award high school diplomas. College programs could roll out as soon as next year.
About 300,000 adults in Colorado lack a high school credential and struggle to find family-sustaining jobs. By creating a streamlined pathway for this population, community colleges can pave the way to additional education and training, said Dr. Landon Mascareñaz, chair of the SBCCOE.
“Ensuring adult learners have a chance to get on track through a local community college will be a game-changer for economic mobility in Colorado,” he said. “This innovative open access approach will unlock new opportunities for families across the state to move forward in their dreams for the future.”
Ensuring adult learners have a chance to get on track through a local community college will be a game-changer for economic mobility in Colorado.
Taking a Student-Centered Approach
To gear up for the rollout, college and System Office leaders have been hard at work designing new diploma standards and programs that are relevant for adults and will lead to in-demand jobs.
Over the past year, CCCS collaborated with college presidents and vice presidents to outline new graduation requirements that meet adult learner needs. To demonstrate their knowledge and skills, high school diploma candidates can complete college-level coursework, take standardized tests, or earn an industry-recognized credential, among other options, said Dr. Sarah Heath, vice chancellor for academic and student affairs at the Colorado Community College System (CCCS).
“Due to our role in the state’s higher education system, community colleges are uniquely poised to transform outcomes for adult learners,” she added. “Since CCCS administers Career & Technical Education in Colorado, students can work toward their high school credential while learning the skills needed for in-demand jobs.”
Individual colleges are also ramping up programming. Lamar Community College (LCC), for example, recently launched an Adult Career Enrichment Center that will provide tuition-free programs for adult learners.
Dr. Rosana Reyes, the president of LCC, hopes the center will become the “go-to” destination for workforce development in Southeast Colorado. In addition to high school equivalency programs, LCC plans to offer English language proficiency and career planning services to ease the transition into the workplace.
“We are thrilled to introduce this service to our adults in our community,” Dr. Reyes said. “The ACE Center exemplifies our commitment to providing accessible and student-centered education that can profoundly impact individuals’ lives.”
We are thrilled to introduce this service to our adults in our community. The ACE Center exemplifies our commitment to providing accessible and student-centered education that can profoundly impact individuals’ lives.
Reshaping Education
In the coming months, college presidents will follow Dr. Reyes’ lead and meet with civic and K-12 leaders to assess the need for adult education pathways in their communities. Colleges expect to begin conferring diplomas in early 2025.
These programs come at a crucial time for CCCS, said Dr. Heath. As the number of traditional high school graduates declines in Colorado, community colleges must redouble efforts to recruit and support adult learners.
“Many learners of different ages across Colorado only need a few credits to graduate, and we are fortunate that our board supports offering all options within Colorado’s graduation guidelines to help close those gaps,” she said. “This new pathway will reshape education across Colorado, and we are thrilled to start reaching the learners who need us most.”
