Why no GED?

[Pinky Tuscadero]

Does anyone remember the thread about why you should NOT get a GED? I can't find it and want to read something in it to my DH. Anyone know where it is or what the reasons for not getting a GED were?
Thank you!

[phathui5]

I know that one reason is that the GED is generally considered the Good Enough Diploma. Many view it as the diploma that you get after dropping out of high school, which isn't what homeschooling is.

[Lillian J]

I think this is the thread:
What do you think of this opinion on not getting a GED?

- Lillian

[Pinky Tuscadero]

Thank you, Lillian! I should have known you would have it bookmarked somewhere!

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by Pinky Tuscadero

Thank you, Lillian! I should have known you would have it bookmarked somewhere!

Well, actually, I was surprised to find I hadn't - but I just Googled "ged Lillian J" because I knew I'd posted something in it. Sure enough - it was the first thing that came up. Worked even faster than the MDC searches do. Lillian

[mommy68]

So how does a H/S child get a high school diploma anyway? Just curious. I've never really thought that far ahead over the years and now that I have a 13 yr old I'm curious. Does a child have to have a GED if they don't go through some type of school while homeschooling?

[Pinky Tuscadero]

They don't get a high school diploma. A diploma shows that you have attended and completed a given school. Homeschoolers do not do that.
The thread linked above discusses how some places like to see a GED and some don't seem to care either way.
I personally lean towards not getting one. in my area, GEDs are really only for those who have dropped out, been kicked out or failed and never went back to finish. Our local community college is one of the best in the country and you don't need one to attend.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by Pinky Tuscadero

They don't get a high school diploma. A diploma shows that you have attended and completed a given school. Homeschoolers do not do that.

Although they can if they want. A lot of homeschoolers issue a diploma, but it may not be recognized by everyone. And, as you said, you can generally go into a community college without one, and from there, you can go on to four year colleges. Some four year colleges will ask for a diploma from an accredited school or a GED regardless of the community college credits, but others won't care about it. As the time draws near, you can check with colleges your teens are interested in and find out what they want. -

My website has a whole page on teens/high school/college/careers/etc. where you can find out more. - Lillian

[Cajunmomma]

Here in Louisiana, there is no reason for a homeschooler to get a GED, in fact, homeschoolers can lose a lot by getting them (LA provides a state sponsored scholarship which homeschoolers can qualify for but not if they have a GED).

We actually had this discussion on a homeschooling list I belong to. I think, that on the list, people seemed to have the idea that a diploma meant a certain thing--like that you had a PhD. All a high school diploma means, I think, is that you have attended a school a requisite number of days and scored a requisite score oin a requisite number of classes.

There might be other schools that require different things than public colleges in Louisiana. We haven't really checked outside of the state.

[phathui5]

Originally Posted by mommy68

So how does a H/S child get a high school diploma anyway? Just curious. I've never really thought that far ahead over the years and now that I have a 13 yr old I'm curious. Does a child have to have a GED if they don't go through some type of school while homeschooling?

I can't think of anything that a homeschooler would need a GED for. You can write up your transcripts, have them take tests like the SAT or ACT, etc. You can show academic achievement without the GED.

[BrokeMom]

Originally Posted by Pinky Tuscadero

They don't get a high school diploma. A diploma shows that you have attended and completed a given school. Homeschoolers do not do that.

I was homeschooled. I graduated in a large graduation ceremony and was given a diploma. How official the diploma is and who all recognizes it, I have no idea. It sure looks official though. I believe we had 50 in my graduating class. The ceremony took forever 'cause they let the parents come up and present the diploma and speak for 1-2 min. Multiply that by 50 kids who most had 2 parents who wanted to say something... We wore caps and gowns, too.

[simple living mama]

Originally Posted by Lillian J

Well, actually, I was surprised to find I hadn't - but I just Googled "ged Lillian J" because I knew I'd posted something in it. Sure enough - it was the first thing that came up. Worked even faster than the MDC searches do. Lillian

Thanks Lillian. That's a handy thing to know!

[shaywyn]

Originally Posted by BrokeMom

I was homeschooled. I graduated in a large graduation ceremony and was given a diploma. How official the diploma is and who all recognizes it, I have no idea. It sure looks official though. I believe we had 50 in my graduating class. The ceremony took forever 'cause they let the parents come up and present the diploma and speak for 1-2 min. Multiply that by 50 kids who most had 2 parents who wanted to say something... We wore caps and gowns, too.

How cool is that!

It may have seemed long but I bet it was way more interesting than most high school graduations! I would have loved to have attended that event.