GED testing at age 16?

[mattemma04]

Did anyone have their children take their state GED test? Is it a benefit or something you would not bother with again?

My dd is not a big fan of schooling.Currently Montessori. I think she would really dislike online schooling for upper grades. I know she disliked public school.

I have suggested she homeschool when the time is right,learn what interests her,and take the GED test at the earliest age.In Ohio it is 16 if approval is given by parents and the district super.

I see no reason why she needs to stay in *school* till 18,or go to public high school when her Montessori school ends at grade 8. I think the GED should be acceptable for my dh,and it is something accepted for getting into local colleges when she would want to do that(if she does).

What have your teens done when they were 16-18?

[zjande]

My DD took the GED at 16 & immediately went into college classes & working PT. She homeschooled, well, unschooled really, from 4th grade until then. She's 19 now & doing great.

[NaturalMamma]

My personal advice is that I wouldn't have her take the GED. I don't know if some states say they "require" a GED, but homeschooling is legal in every state and a homeschooling diploma with a portfolio/resume should suffice. If a student has all the necessary education/knowledge to "graduate" at a younger age, I would demonstrate that in another way. Better to take the SAT or some other standardized testing. (I realize that those are for college admission.) The GED has a stigma of "dropout" attached to it...it states that the student never "finished" their education and may make it harder to get a job or apply for further education.

[Momma Aimee]

Originally Posted by NaturalMamma

My personal advice is that I wouldn't have her take the GED. I don't know if some states say they "require" a GED, but homeschooling is legal in every state and a homeschooling diploma with a portfolio/resume should suffice. If a student has all the necessary education/knowledge to "graduate" at a younger age, I would demonstrate that in another way. Better to take the SAT or some other standardized testing. (I realize that those are for college admission.) The GED has a stigma of "dropout" attached to it...it states that the student never "finished" their education and may make it harder to get a job or apply for further education.

i think that is an excellent point. it might not matter one way or the other at 20 and 22 -- but she might find herself at a point where the GED is suspect (unoffically even).

Right or wrong GEDs have the "feel" of opting out, of not having the gumption to get thought a program (ie high school)

[moominmamma]

If I'm reading things right your dd is still very young and has no particularly post-secondary plans or aspirations at this point. I think the GED would be one option, but depending on her motivation and aspirations it may not be the best option when the time rolls around. My 17-year-old is currently involved in a hybrid school-homeschool program that didn't even exist when she was 12, and she has everything mapped out nicely for the specialized program she's planning to attend for post-secondary studies. My 14-year-old's trajectory may end up looking rather different because there are so many different options available to homeschooled teens.

I live in Canada where the GED doesn't seem to have quite the stigma it has in the US, so that wouldn't concern me here but yes, I agree with others, that can be a problem.

Miranda

[mattemma04]

Thanks for the input!

I wasn't sure if the GED is a requirement for homeschoolers in this state,but I was hoping it would be enough for dh. I am not going to force dd to go (to public high school)if she does not want too.Montessori is my limit.

We still have a few years to look into this.Just wondering what others have done.

Not sure if there is a stigma for a GED around here.I have a BA and job hunting has been difficult for me,and I was looking for jobs that were pretty basic!

Thanks again!

I did have one other question.I noticed that for 16-18 yo wanting to do the GED they have to get papers signed by the super and parents. Is there any reason a super would not sign off? Given that a student brings state money to the school by attending you would think they would say no so the child attends high school.