Struggling high school students have one last chance to earn their diploma through the Optional Education program offered by Kishwaukee Education Consortium.

These students have been unsuccessful in completing their graduation requirements in the traditional five-day high school setting.

The program originally started for fifth-year seniors, but expanded to include other conditions.

“Each participating high school has guidelines to recommend the student to be put into the program,” said Kathy Watkins, executive director of KEC.

The student may lack only a few credits to graduate, be pregnant and/or a parent, needs full-time employment or has some other condition preventing their success in the day school.

“Students volunteer for this program,” said Kathy Dombek, guidance counselor at Sycamore High School. “They have to sign a contract and can’t miss more than five days, excused or unexcused. Students can’t come back to their home high school, either. So this is their last chance.”

Students are required to have a minimum of 10 credits, junior standing and be between the ages of 16 to 21.

While participating in Optional Education, students are required to have a full-time or part-time job. They can receive credit for working. Students also need to enroll in a job class that teaches work experience, how to get a job and filling out applications.

“All the students could drop-out or go to Kishwaukee College for the GED program,” Watkins said. “Some do change their mind and do this. But most come to us because they want a diploma.”

Employers tend to prefer high school diplomas over GEDs.

“After graduating, students usually don’t go to a four-year university mainly because of struggles they had in high school, but they are capable,” said Cindy Dugan, guidance counselor at DeKalb High School.” Most choose to go into the service, job force or community college.”

Students still are considered students at their home high school. So they are allowed to attend and participate in high school events like sports, prom and graduation ceremony.

The number of students who participate varies, but usually is lower at the start of the school year.

There are about 50 students in the Optional Education program. The classes are held four nights a week from 3:15 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday at the KEC building, 315 N. Sixth St.

Only the required core courses are offered, such as government, speech, economics, history, English and math.

There are also independent study courses offered like science, health, social skills and geography, if the courses are available. Since classes are smaller, teachers are able to focus more attention to students.