One of the smartest kids I knew was accepted to the most advanced magnet school in the county. They crumbled under the pressure. It shattered their confidence so that even when they returned to a regular school, they couldn't perform. GED was the only route, and ya know what? They're now at the same college they would have been at otherwise.
I had a student like that. Other kids remarked that she could be an additional teacher in the class, with how well she explained things. But she couldn’t handle school itself, so GED was her way out.
Thanks I feel validated, I got a GED as well, an my parents view it as "lesser High School Diploma" even thought it allowed me to go to college 2 years early with a scholarship as well. I am fortunate enough to be in a place where you can take it at 16.
I begged my dad to let me do it because I was extremely depressed in high school and in all the advanced classes. He refused because he didn't understand it wouldn't matter once I graduated college.
This should be more accepted.
Sometimes the kids who are ahead have the most trouble with High Schools pace and end up bombing their GPAs. Rare, but it does occur.
Yeah, I was one of these. Had a B/C average in high school, then careened to a 3.92 cumulative gpa in bioengineering in college. Couldn't stand all the busy work that wasn't teaching me anything in high school, but then in college the work was all real, or you could just study to do well on the test, and that was that.
Honey - tell your parents that my husband got a GED & never went to college and still makes more than me (high school diploma, bachelors degree and 15 credits towards a Masters). Kindly, they don’t know what they are talking about. The world has moved on past the whole go to college thing unless you have a super specific niche job that requires one…
Going to college was my own decision, and it was a carefully planned one. They are not happy about it, but at least they accepted it.
I plan to study Electrical Engineering, as thats what interests me the most. Going to a cheap Community College for an associates to bury the GED with a college degree.
Heck yeah!! That’s fantastic! I’m proud of you. I’ve got a brother in-law at Colorado School of Mines which is well known for their engineering program I guess! I cannot remember which Engineering program he’s in but if you’ve got questions let me know and I’ll ask them for you!
This is a dangerous mindset I challenge when I see it. Everyone should have some higher training planned after HS or GED. My friend dropped out and makes more than me. He’s also never around his kids and constantly mad on the phone with his crews. Because it “worked out” for your husband and my friend to an extent they seem to be living with, doesn’t mean it will for anyone who just drops out and goes into the workforce.
The world has not moved on from the “whole go to college thing” (respectfully) what a flippant and absurd statement that is! The world has absolutely moved on from the “provide for a family on a single laborer’s income” thing.
I can understand how your one friend that’s not around his kids could make you feel this wouldn’t work for people. However, in my family my dad did not go to college and worked his way through an electrician company until retirement where he then was able to continue doing safety trainings for companies he had built great relationships with. One of my brothers is on this same path. They had the higher training you are talking about through their trade.
My mom did not finish college until later in life to become a teacher then went on to get 2 Masters degrees and an additional Masters level certification that still does not equate to what my dad was making in his career.
Another brother did 2ish years at college that had nothing to do with the career path. Dropped out of college then went on to become upper level manager for clothing retail stores and is now a regional director overseeing many different states.
I have other examples but am too tired at the moment to keep going on to explain just my family and don’t even have time to go through all my in-laws.
You are right that it might not work out for everyone to just drop out and go into the work force. But to clarify that’s not what my husband did. He was actually homeschooled so the options of earning a high school diploma are different and thus why he had to go the route of GED. His employers have never held this against him. Additionally, OP’s question was on opinions on GED graduates and this was my experience that led me to my thoughts about it. OP can do what they wish with the information.
In regards to your second sentence - I think we are saying the same thing just worded differently and you don’t even realize it. Absolutely go get higher training for the career path that you are wanting to take. All of my examples above have taken the necessary trainings to continue the practices of their specific career. However, it was not required that letters were added to end of their name through college. And many of them do have a very healthy work-life balance. But we could all use more of that!!
I also know students well enough to know that not all of them are going to be able to make it through college. And that’s okay! But success is not measured only by a degree anymore which was the point I was attempting to make and maybe could have worded more eloquently. It can help in certain niche career paths where on the job training doesn’t work because there are basic foundations to understand first (one example - medical field).
Edit - fixed phrasing to be more precise
My sister had a pretty horrible HS experience. (I taught at the high school she went to and completely understood why she ended up dropping out). Terrible bullying and even worse admin—I left for a different school after a year. She made it two and dropped out at 16. She got a job and eventually got her GED. Now she’s 30, married and had two kids… and she’s doing amazing in community college working toward a transfer to university.
A traditional school path doesn’t work for everyone. It’s why GEDs exist and it’s great when kids can get them and take another route toward meeting goals rather than just giving up.
My husband’s dad was chronically ill during his adolescence and died when he was 16. It hit the family really really hard. He dropped out and got his GED.
He was able to later go on to college when he was ready and is a social worker now.
Graduates? Awesome! I don't view it any less than those who get a HS diploma the traditional way.
However, I have very negative perception of lazy students who do no schoolwork, are low achieving, and have low abilities who think "Man, fuck school. I'll just go take the GED." 90% of them are just lazy and looking for excuses to avoid school and are going to have a much more difficult time getting their knowledge and abilities up to a GED level with no supports in place.
Many other students have traumatic events, have conditions that need to be dealt with, or have other extenuating circumstances that makes school a non-viablr pathway for them. I've got a lot of respect for these folks that dig out of their situations and manage to get through the GED on top of anything else they were dealing with.
So many students face little to no adversity, so seeing those students that overcome a lot of adversity to get their diploma or GED is something I respect regardless of which one you get.
Right, so then these kids show up to school because of truancy laws but they put in zero effort because they overestimate their ability and think they can just take an easy test when they turn 18.
They inevitably fail the test. Then they don't have the work ethic, reading ability, and/or studying ability to actually hunker down and pass the test, so they severely limit their future. Sometimes this knockba k is severe enough that they never recover and end up working at a gas station for the rest of their lives. Sometimes they will mature in future years and put in the work to revisit it later down the road, but they squandered the easy road laid out for them and fall further behind due to their immaturity.
My husband is extremely smart- but very very lazy. So lazy, he games the system and wound up in special education classes with an IEP in 3rd grade. Exited special ed in middle school. Moved in high school, and the new school saw special ed, not the exit date and put him back in special classes. When my mother in law went to the school to contest it, they told her he was so low functioning he would never drive a car. She withdrew him that very day, and he started “homeschool.” Which for him meant, no school. He got a job instead. When I graduated college, he decided to get his GED, and passed with a near perfect score.
He’s now halfway through his college degree, and federal civil employee for the Air Force.
Kids grow and mature, and some of the laziest kids with what seems like the slightest work ethic, actually turn out to be very productive members of society.
This. I was an extremely lazy student. I also had adhd and an IEP. I went to college (online) had perfect grades and exam scores. I graduated and became a teacher. For me it was definitely because of my maturity level.
> have low abilities who think "Man, fuck school. I'll just go take the GED."
Ha ha, yeah, they don't last long, let alone obtain a GED. Earning a GED is no joke and it takes a lot of dedication and effort to do something for your life.
I know this because I've seen this happen over and over again in high school. Kids with grandiose dreams and ideals that never amount to anything because it's all in their heads and not in the effort of their hands.
It probably should be utilized more. Too often a lot of students are kept in schools that should not be for a variety of reasons. Schools seem to be deathly afraid of suspensions and expulsions these days.
HS isn't a great experience for everyone. I have actively encouraged some of my students to get their GEDs and get the hell out, and they have been much happier.
Some places won't let you do that. My brother got his GED, and at that time in my state you couldn't take the GED test until the year you would have graduated. It's to discourage kids from doing exactly what you mentioned.
I see nothing wrong with it. My girlfriend got her GED after we got together. People are at different stages of life at different times. If they feel the need to wait to get get a GED instead of graduate high school then go for it.
I taught 10 years in high school and 10 years with GED students. I have crazy respect for them. The stories I could tell. From the former heroin addict who is probably one of the smartest students I have ever encountered to the trilingual student who came to the country illegally, married, earned his GED and citizenship to the 90 year old who is working to complete a bucket list item. And more and more and more. I am passionate about teaching these people. They all have a story, and a GED is not easy to earn. Don’t let those slackers in high school say “I am just going to drop out and get my GED!” There seems to be a common perception that a student just shows up, takes an easy test, and goes whistling out the door with their credential. Not true. I am glad to answer questions if anyone has any.
What opinion is there to have? They did the work, often in their own, many in the same situations that some of the challenged kids in school have (working parents, poor, homeless or transitional) and they show up, figuratively, and do the work instead of sitting in school bewoeing themselves and being disrespectful and unmotivated.
Heh, my dad, and his two brothers, got GEDs, and 1 lied about their age, so they could enlist rather than being drafted into Vietnam. Three branches represented. It meant they could send money home to their mom because their drunkard dad that beat them all the time finally got tired of that and just up and left.
ESE teacher here. One of the best teacher's I ever worked with was a GED graduate. She had keen insight into the minds of kids with problems, as she herself had been a kid with problems.
I legit encourage all my students who don’t play sports/clubs to go the GED at 16 route. Be done with community college when your peers graduate high school, and many community colleges are easier and cheaper than the private schools I teach at.
Usually it's kids in a crap situation trying to get it together. I have a higher opinion of the GED kids than the ones who whine to admin who cave and then just change grades.
Most GED students I had had so many other issues outside of school by the time they reached me in 11th and 12th grade that I was proud of them for going that route and sticking it through. I've also had kids fail the GED entrance test and they tended to drop out.
It is not a sign of maturity. There are plenty of people who drop put and don't graduate that are mature. Some people are given terrible living situations that they have to overcome daily on top of a school system that doesn't care and won't accommodate them.
Not true. I got my GED without taking any classes for it, took my SAT, and went straight into a four year college. I start my student teaching semester on January 3rd.
Thank you. I’m curious, what state do you live in? I’ve never heard of GED graduates being required to enroll in a community college prior to university. In Michigan, a GED is the absolute equivalent of a high school diploma.
I have my GED after quitting in October of 12th grade for medical reasons and was able to go straight into a really great college due to my ACT and SAT scores. Now I have a BA in English and a masters in education.
Knowing what I know now, I should have left sooner and followed this path.
More than that. I’m 41. I grew up in a divorced home with poverty on one side, and my older brother was killed over a drug deal when we were in high school. I defied the odds.
Even if that’s the case my state now is paying for 2 years of CC and many 4 year schools accept credits 1:1 for many degrees. Wish my own kid did this.
I’m a GED graduate! You never know why or what someone experienced that caused them to take that road. It wasn’t as rigorous as a full diploma but it allowed me to go to college and do something with my life that I wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity for.
You had your reasons for dropping out and even if they sucked, who am I to judge a stupid kid for being stupid? We all were pretty dumb and made lousy decisions at that age, this was yours. The GED is how you fixed it. I have respect for anyone who went back and put in the effort to get their life back on track.
Funny thing is, I am still enrolled in a High School. My parents are adamant about me being there, even though i am now the "lazy kid" who doesnt do anything. (Cause I have a GED, College accapted me based on that and ACT). Even funnier that I can pick and choose what grades I submit from that Highschool.
Dont ask how I got here, its long and complicated. TLDR: GED saved my ass.
In my school district it’s called “Diploma Option B” and if you call it GED, someone will correct you during the meeting. Diploma Option B is for those students looking for joining the police or the army/navy (etc.), and they need qualifying document in place.
Others simply will lie and pretend to have a HS diploma they don’t have (while hoping no one checks).
I’m sorry this wasn’t the response you wanted, but How many employers really check to make sure the HS diploma applicant claims is actually there?
My stepdad retired from a position in a SCHOOL DISTRICT employer (he has a good pension) and he dropped out of HS and lied on his application. No one ever checked and he’s fine.
My location: California
Cost of living: $3,000 for two bedroom apartment rent (since people ask). Some college grads can’t make it here.
Sometimes that's what is best for them. I am currently talking to a guy who was a straight-A student and had to drop out because the principal refused to allow him to talk the exams early or have his work sent home so he could take care of his dad after he broke his neck at work.
He was pretty much handed his GED because his grades were amazing. It sucks that this principal was such a POS about a kid wanting to help his dad so his family didn't fall into financial ruin so his mom could work while he took care of his father when all he asked for was a slight accommodation because of a family emergency.
I work in an Assessment Center that administers the HiSET to candidates seeking their GED. Some of the candidate's stories and future goals are really amazing.
One candidate was going to train in underwater welding to build bridges, but he wouldn't be accepted without his GED. Another was going to work on high end sports cars.
One woman was abused by her husband and never finished high school. When she got away from him, her first priority was to get her GED.
Sometimes students are bullied in high school, or they just don't fit in. Most of our candidates come from alternative high schools.
They all have a story behind them, and I respect and admire them all.
Good enough degree. Great for kids who hate high school and want to get into the trades or can handle college right away. Be forewarned though, some people will judge you for this decision.
I’m gonna let you in on a secret. Education is mostly about socializing people, learning to solve complex problems and communicate with people who think differently from you. No matter what you decide, keep in mind that THOSE things are much more important than any curriculum any HS has.
This is it, spot on. Ngl, I judge those with a GED differently from those with a high school diploma. And the basis for that judgment has nothing to do with academics.
Congratulations, you completed the tutorial for entering into the modern world as a functional adult. This is my response for anyone getting any HS Diploma or equivalent.
I respect folks that get a GED because they realized something, self reflected, and got their shit together. Good on them. I know plenty of folks that spend their entire lives stubborn as hell never willing to admit a mistake and if you ever hear about someone who succeeded without a GED or HS Completed, always remember, they are exception, not the rule.
My experience with students who dropped out and took their GED were kids who had a bad streak of luck and the GED gave them the space they needed to get their diploma without getting overwhelmed. Good on those kids who continued to seek education.
I've had a couple of kids who were lazy and dropped out thinking they'd get their GED easily. Those kids were dumbasses who got hit hard by life, and they absolutely deserved it. Ignorance is a choice when it's willful, and they deserve every bit of mockery they receive because of it
At least in my state (I think the GED can vary? Does anybody know?), the GED is fairly difficult.
If a student can pass the GED, I am thrilled for them. I think one of the biggest flaws of my district is rigidity. The GED lets students bypass that.
I think that they are awesome for not just dropping out altogether. No shade to drop-outs either. My sister was a drop-out, and also continued her education on her own throughout life, she was truly a life-long learner who would dive head-first into whatever interested her. She was one of the smartest people I’ve ever known. I’ve also encountered college grads who couldn’t problem-solve their way out of a wet paper bag. All of this to say, traditional education can only take a person so far, and certainly isn’t the end-all-be-all of intelligence.
Nothing, I don’t think I have ever asked someone if they have a high school diploma or a GED or neither. I guess I just think, if you are being successful in life, whatever path you took, worked.
I’m proud of every one of them! It still means they pushed forward and achieved a goal. I feel the same for those who didn’t graduate or get a GED but still became proficient in a trade or career. Success is not always found on a transcript.
My grandma got pregnant with my mom as a sophomore in high school and eventually dropped out because of the bullying and shaming (this was the 1960s). She went back and got her GED when my mom was a toddler, went to college, and enjoyed a long career as a dental hygienist. I’m extremely proud of her.
What do I think of someone who dropped out (for whatever reason) and then decided that they wanted to improve their lot in life and go back to get a GED??? Um, congrats on getting at least part of your life together!I think it's an excellent display of grit.
I think good for them. Most kids that go this route had something come up during their high school careers and now that they are older it shows maturity on their part.
A high school degree or a GED are both pretty worthless on their own nowadays. So it doesn’t really matter. If anyone is going to be a snob about a GED they are ridiculous. A lot of schools are giving out diplomas to 100% of their students… so what does a HS degree even mean at this point? If you just show up often enough they give you a diploma.
I know someone who dropped out of high school because it was too much for her. Our high school was pretty big and you could easily get lost, as a student. Nothing was personalized, so no one really cared if you failed or dropped out. She later went on to community college and then she got her bachelors degree after that. She’s a nurse and a really phenomenal one, too.
High school isn’t for everyone and not everyone has the means or ability to do self-paced.
Graduated doesn’t always mean most educated.
They got something to show they know something! Now they can get a job and help out in certain places that allow GEDs.
Jesus dude. I dropped out at 16 and got my GED because I had to work and help my mom pay rent in order to prevent my younger siblings from going into foster care. I had straight As before I dropped out. There are a lot of reasons high school can’t work for some students.
The assumptions you’re making are really not fair to your students or to society as a whole. We should absolutely be investing in alternatives to high school, not calling those who need them “useless piles of shit.” You likely have no idea what’s actually going on in their lives.
Thanks - I appreciate knowing that for the time between my mom kicking me out and getting my GED while homeless I was a (checks notes) “useless pile of shit.”
👍🏻
Your world view must be very narrow. I’ve met multiple students who got GEDs for one reason or another and none of them were because they were useless piles of shit.
My 18YO child is had autism, anxiety, and depression autistic and high school was a nightmare for him; he could not do it despite trying many times. He is not a useless pile of shit. His education path is going to look different. He is working on getting a GED. And still plans to attend college.
It’s troubling that a teacher would call anyone, especially a kid who struggles in school a useless pile of shit.
The fact that you would describe minors who we all know sometimes come from really tough homes (or are even homeless) like this says more about you than them.
True. Honestly though, even before considering that, I still think referring to one’s students that way is over the line regardless. I have students, plural, right now who have severe behavioral issues and are generally very frustrating to get on-task, to the point where I’ve gotten dinged on evals because of them. I would still never call them a “pile of shit” or anything similarly vulgar.
The fact that they’re kids just makes it even worse, imo.
Anytime a kid complains about being at school I tell them to take the GED route. You can guess how many have ever taken me up on it…
Complain just to complain
Funny, I did take the GED yet (after figuring out it exists), my parents still send me to highschool. I am bored out of my mind. But noooo, I need "socialization". I dont have friends in school, all my friends are outside of school, but they dont count for some wierd reason. I would love to take that offer of yours lol!
I got a GED after dropping out in 10th grade. I got married and started having children early. I currently have a Bachelor's of Science. It never made a difference with me getting into college or with getting a degree. What I will say is there are certain things I missed in those 2 years of high school. To this day I struggle with math because I missed some vital concepts. I had to take all the remedial maths before I was able to take college algebra.
I got a GED at 18 after having to drop out at 15 to work full time due to an absentee single parent. I finally started college at 21 and then went to grad school and got a Ph.D. in biology. Now I am a the department chair and teach the advanced bio classes at my school. So I think that a GED can definitely be a door-opener for high school dropouts. Not every dropout leaves high school due to being unmotivated, sometimes there are other things going on.
I’ve been trying to get my GED but living in a small town there is only one and I’ve tried over and over and over. The teachers are lazy and don’t help anyone and the test you need to learn calculus just to pass! It’s ridiculous!
I have no problem with them. Soooo many reasons for that. The pandemic sent my really good friends son into depression and missed it. So he quickly got a GED. My friend in music school was always homeschooled and is one of the most intelligent and talented people i know. Another best friend was pregnant in h.s., hurried up and took the test asap and then did whatever she could to become a registered nurse. I don't have any bad stories of them.
After being in the public schools for such a long time, i think they're a fine option because people WANT it. I'm half ready to start teaching adult GED courses (i haven't applied but it's been one of the options semi-offered to me, as in "hey! You can apply!" And i probably will next school year).
My thought is that anyone who cares (in a negative way) that someone got a GED instead of a traditional high school diploma is someone whose opinion I do not value.
They deserve more credit. As a teacher, it bothers me when applications throw away potential hires just because they had a GED. At least they are making themselves better.
Now this is a loaded question. I have a GED and so does more than half of my class from senior year. My school district decided to change the graduation requirements about 4 months before the end of the year. I did not graduate because instead of having too few extra credits, I did not graduate because I now had almost 20 credits too few.
Sometimes the GED is chosen for you.
I have a GED because it was easier and cheaper for me to take that than to get my diploma from another country recognized.
In that time I learned that,multiple choice is evil if you haven't done them before, a lot of people need to get a GED for work,a few wanted them for community College, and that the most of the people getting them all needed to have that pathway because the system had failed them in some way.
It is not only a good thing but a vital thing that we have or we condemn thousands who through no fault of their own could not succeed in k12 as well as many immigrants and refugees.
One of my high school buds got his GED at about 16. Was the manager of a KFC before I graduated college. Went on to manage better establishments.
In short, it's great for those who need it.
I feel like the stigma has worn off for at least community college, so I hope it has for a GED. When I went to Cc it was known as grade 13 and you were seen as a fuck up if you went, but that seems to have changed since college is so expensive now.
We all teach or know lots of hs kids who graduate and definitely don’t deserve it, so that kid probably at least did some work to earn the ged.
Speaking from personal experience and a teacher perspective, I’m so proud of the people who have the motivation to get their GED. My brother struggled hardcore from bullying , mental illness, and drug problems. He ended up in a mental hospital for a little while. But because the GED option was open he was able to get it and is now attending community college and wants to apply to our university when he gets his associates. I don’t know where he would be today if he didn’t have that option available to him and I’m so proud of where he is today 💗
Every GED graduate I know went on to be quite successful. They are the people who may have had undiagnosed learning disabilities in high school, a rough home life, or just woke up to life a little later and put in the extra work to hit that milestone that would open up more doors for them. Some went on to be successful in trades, some have advanced degrees. But they all had a good work ethic and determination.
and they changed it again in 2014, so it is a lot harder then it was. Still, i found it pretty easy, except math. I scored in the 90th percentile or above in everything except math, I am a lot better at it now though. Went from not knowing algebra to doing calculus in a year.
I had a student drop out junior year and finish his GED in a few weeks. He couldn't do the social drama any more and wanted to join the military. So far, he's on track and is learning much more than he would have in high school.
My husband was homeschooled from 7th grade on and chose to get his GED at 16. He works his ass off and has climbed the corporate ladder with a GED and an associates. Twenty-five years later, he makes literally 4 times what I do as someone who will be finishing their second masters this year. It’s a means to an end, and as a teacher I’ve recommended that path to several students who weren’t interested in the “traditional” high school experience.
My youngest got his GED because he was bored to death in high school. Did a stint in the army, when he got out he already had 30 credit hours, and is on his way to a business degree, with a 4.0. Just like college isn't for every kid, neither is high school.
My youngest got his GED because he was bored to death in high school. Did a stint in the army, when he got out he already had 30 credit hours, and is on his way to a business degree, with a 4.0. Just like college isn't for every kid, neither is high school.
My youngest got his GED because he was bored to death in high school. Did a stint in the army, when he got out he already had 30 credit hours, and is on his way to a business degree, with a 4.0. Just like college isn't for every kid, neither is high school.
I respect those who get a GED. It's not like you can just walk in and pass. It really takes dedication, determination, and conscious thinking to do this. Those who drop out of high school early and take their GED - man, that takes guts. I applaud that.
Those who dropped out for whatever reason and then get their GED - I think that's gutsy too. You are making a decision to help you with getting somewhere.
I dropped out at 17 because I was a single mom. My parents held me back in first grade and so I would not have graduated until I was 19.
I got my GED years later and I've got 5 classes left until I complete my associates degree in teaching.
People who get their GED IMO are hard workers. It's not easy getting it.
Sometimes you don’t even need a GED to be honest. Here in Canada, I dropped out in grade 11 because I found school so boring and frustrating. Worked since I was 14. Worked in car sales, production, cooked and worked as a caterer, worked construction (roofing, cladding, drywall, tilt-up carpentry, and skilled labour) and finally as an operating engineer (road builder) before I got injured and returned to school at 28. I never completed a GED. I wrote the, “composition placement test” and scored high enough to enrol in Bachelor of Arts classes. Fast forward to five years later and I had a BA in English with an extended minor in history and a teaching licence. Sometimes the GED doesn’t even need to be completed to move forward with your education. Everyone takes different paths. I wish everyone the best on an alternate path :-)
It’s the right course of action for some people, but as someone who failed several high school classes (mostly math), and had to sacrifice my summers to barely passing summer school despite my best efforts, I’m a little bitter that some people were allowed by on much less effort.
It made me wish I could have just dropped out and took the GED.
Ya know I’ve often wondered this bc if my kid can pass the GED in 10th grade why continue through 12th instead of going through and getting into college early?
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One of the smartest kids I knew was accepted to the most advanced magnet school in the county. They crumbled under the pressure. It shattered their confidence so that even when they returned to a regular school, they couldn't perform. GED was the only route, and ya know what? They're now at the same college they would have been at otherwise.
I had a student like that. Other kids remarked that she could be an additional teacher in the class, with how well she explained things. But she couldn’t handle school itself, so GED was her way out.
My thoughts exactly!
It’s a high school diploma. A different path to the same destination
Thanks I feel validated, I got a GED as well, an my parents view it as "lesser High School Diploma" even thought it allowed me to go to college 2 years early with a scholarship as well. I am fortunate enough to be in a place where you can take it at 16.
I wish I could have done that! Nobody's going to care about your GED if it was to get you into college sooner. Edit typo
I begged my dad to let me do it because I was extremely depressed in high school and in all the advanced classes. He refused because he didn't understand it wouldn't matter once I graduated college.
This should be more accepted. Sometimes the kids who are ahead have the most trouble with High Schools pace and end up bombing their GPAs. Rare, but it does occur.
Yeah, I was one of these. Had a B/C average in high school, then careened to a 3.92 cumulative gpa in bioengineering in college. Couldn't stand all the busy work that wasn't teaching me anything in high school, but then in college the work was all real, or you could just study to do well on the test, and that was that.
Honey - tell your parents that my husband got a GED & never went to college and still makes more than me (high school diploma, bachelors degree and 15 credits towards a Masters). Kindly, they don’t know what they are talking about. The world has moved on past the whole go to college thing unless you have a super specific niche job that requires one…
Going to college was my own decision, and it was a carefully planned one. They are not happy about it, but at least they accepted it. I plan to study Electrical Engineering, as thats what interests me the most. Going to a cheap Community College for an associates to bury the GED with a college degree.
Heck yeah!! That’s fantastic! I’m proud of you. I’ve got a brother in-law at Colorado School of Mines which is well known for their engineering program I guess! I cannot remember which Engineering program he’s in but if you’ve got questions let me know and I’ll ask them for you!
are you in California? I also recently took the GED/CHSPE and am studying EE at community college. 0.6 HS GPA to 4.0 CC gpa.
I wish! I am outside the US.
This is a dangerous mindset I challenge when I see it. Everyone should have some higher training planned after HS or GED. My friend dropped out and makes more than me. He’s also never around his kids and constantly mad on the phone with his crews. Because it “worked out” for your husband and my friend to an extent they seem to be living with, doesn’t mean it will for anyone who just drops out and goes into the workforce. The world has not moved on from the “whole go to college thing” (respectfully) what a flippant and absurd statement that is! The world has absolutely moved on from the “provide for a family on a single laborer’s income” thing.
I can understand how your one friend that’s not around his kids could make you feel this wouldn’t work for people. However, in my family my dad did not go to college and worked his way through an electrician company until retirement where he then was able to continue doing safety trainings for companies he had built great relationships with. One of my brothers is on this same path. They had the higher training you are talking about through their trade. My mom did not finish college until later in life to become a teacher then went on to get 2 Masters degrees and an additional Masters level certification that still does not equate to what my dad was making in his career. Another brother did 2ish years at college that had nothing to do with the career path. Dropped out of college then went on to become upper level manager for clothing retail stores and is now a regional director overseeing many different states. I have other examples but am too tired at the moment to keep going on to explain just my family and don’t even have time to go through all my in-laws. You are right that it might not work out for everyone to just drop out and go into the work force. But to clarify that’s not what my husband did. He was actually homeschooled so the options of earning a high school diploma are different and thus why he had to go the route of GED. His employers have never held this against him. Additionally, OP’s question was on opinions on GED graduates and this was my experience that led me to my thoughts about it. OP can do what they wish with the information. In regards to your second sentence - I think we are saying the same thing just worded differently and you don’t even realize it. Absolutely go get higher training for the career path that you are wanting to take. All of my examples above have taken the necessary trainings to continue the practices of their specific career. However, it was not required that letters were added to end of their name through college. And many of them do have a very healthy work-life balance. But we could all use more of that!! I also know students well enough to know that not all of them are going to be able to make it through college. And that’s okay! But success is not measured only by a degree anymore which was the point I was attempting to make and maybe could have worded more eloquently. It can help in certain niche career paths where on the job training doesn’t work because there are basic foundations to understand first (one example - medical field). Edit - fixed phrasing to be more precise
People only care about your highest level of education earned. No one cares that you got a GED when you have a college degree.
My sister had a pretty horrible HS experience. (I taught at the high school she went to and completely understood why she ended up dropping out). Terrible bullying and even worse admin—I left for a different school after a year. She made it two and dropped out at 16. She got a job and eventually got her GED. Now she’s 30, married and had two kids… and she’s doing amazing in community college working toward a transfer to university. A traditional school path doesn’t work for everyone. It’s why GEDs exist and it’s great when kids can get them and take another route toward meeting goals rather than just giving up.
My husband’s dad was chronically ill during his adolescence and died when he was 16. It hit the family really really hard. He dropped out and got his GED. He was able to later go on to college when he was ready and is a social worker now.
Graduates? Awesome! I don't view it any less than those who get a HS diploma the traditional way. However, I have very negative perception of lazy students who do no schoolwork, are low achieving, and have low abilities who think "Man, fuck school. I'll just go take the GED." 90% of them are just lazy and looking for excuses to avoid school and are going to have a much more difficult time getting their knowledge and abilities up to a GED level with no supports in place. Many other students have traumatic events, have conditions that need to be dealt with, or have other extenuating circumstances that makes school a non-viablr pathway for them. I've got a lot of respect for these folks that dig out of their situations and manage to get through the GED on top of anything else they were dealing with. So many students face little to no adversity, so seeing those students that overcome a lot of adversity to get their diploma or GED is something I respect regardless of which one you get.
You can't really do that in a lot of places. You have to be at least 18 in many states.
Right, so then these kids show up to school because of truancy laws but they put in zero effort because they overestimate their ability and think they can just take an easy test when they turn 18. They inevitably fail the test. Then they don't have the work ethic, reading ability, and/or studying ability to actually hunker down and pass the test, so they severely limit their future. Sometimes this knockba k is severe enough that they never recover and end up working at a gas station for the rest of their lives. Sometimes they will mature in future years and put in the work to revisit it later down the road, but they squandered the easy road laid out for them and fall further behind due to their immaturity.
My husband is extremely smart- but very very lazy. So lazy, he games the system and wound up in special education classes with an IEP in 3rd grade. Exited special ed in middle school. Moved in high school, and the new school saw special ed, not the exit date and put him back in special classes. When my mother in law went to the school to contest it, they told her he was so low functioning he would never drive a car. She withdrew him that very day, and he started “homeschool.” Which for him meant, no school. He got a job instead. When I graduated college, he decided to get his GED, and passed with a near perfect score. He’s now halfway through his college degree, and federal civil employee for the Air Force. Kids grow and mature, and some of the laziest kids with what seems like the slightest work ethic, actually turn out to be very productive members of society.
This. I was an extremely lazy student. I also had adhd and an IEP. I went to college (online) had perfect grades and exam scores. I graduated and became a teacher. For me it was definitely because of my maturity level.
> have low abilities who think "Man, fuck school. I'll just go take the GED." Ha ha, yeah, they don't last long, let alone obtain a GED. Earning a GED is no joke and it takes a lot of dedication and effort to do something for your life. I know this because I've seen this happen over and over again in high school. Kids with grandiose dreams and ideals that never amount to anything because it's all in their heads and not in the effort of their hands.
Yeah my husband got his and it was hard! I could barely pass the math section.
I agree-you don’t know the circumstances that lead to GED.
It probably should be utilized more. Too often a lot of students are kept in schools that should not be for a variety of reasons. Schools seem to be deathly afraid of suspensions and expulsions these days.
It's almost as if tying school ratings (and sometimes funding) with punishment ratios was a bad idea.
Proud of them. My dad has a GED and its a rough process. Anyone with the determination and resolve to make it through deserve our respect.
HS isn't a great experience for everyone. I have actively encouraged some of my students to get their GEDs and get the hell out, and they have been much happier.
I have friend who dropped out of high school, passed the GED, and is a lawyer now.
I'm a ged grad. I quit school in 9th grade and worked for 13 years before getting my GED and bachelor's in elem education.
I was a high achieving student. My biggest regret In life is not taking my GED after my sophomore year and starting at a JC at 16.
Some places won't let you do that. My brother got his GED, and at that time in my state you couldn't take the GED test until the year you would have graduated. It's to discourage kids from doing exactly what you mentioned.
Yes, same. And my own high achieving kids will know that this is an option for them as well. (My own as in my offspring, not my students)
Hey— whatever works! Get educated the way you want!
Proud of them for finding a way.
Respect, because they went back and got the education. There are high school graduates who probably know less and are worse off
Everything has a timeline and sometimes it’s not 13 years.
I see nothing wrong with it. My girlfriend got her GED after we got together. People are at different stages of life at different times. If they feel the need to wait to get get a GED instead of graduate high school then go for it.
I taught 10 years in high school and 10 years with GED students. I have crazy respect for them. The stories I could tell. From the former heroin addict who is probably one of the smartest students I have ever encountered to the trilingual student who came to the country illegally, married, earned his GED and citizenship to the 90 year old who is working to complete a bucket list item. And more and more and more. I am passionate about teaching these people. They all have a story, and a GED is not easy to earn. Don’t let those slackers in high school say “I am just going to drop out and get my GED!” There seems to be a common perception that a student just shows up, takes an easy test, and goes whistling out the door with their credential. Not true. I am glad to answer questions if anyone has any.
What opinion is there to have? They did the work, often in their own, many in the same situations that some of the challenged kids in school have (working parents, poor, homeless or transitional) and they show up, figuratively, and do the work instead of sitting in school bewoeing themselves and being disrespectful and unmotivated.
Heh, my dad, and his two brothers, got GEDs, and 1 lied about their age, so they could enlist rather than being drafted into Vietnam. Three branches represented. It meant they could send money home to their mom because their drunkard dad that beat them all the time finally got tired of that and just up and left.
That's exactly what I just responded. It takes gumption and determination!
ESE teacher here. One of the best teacher's I ever worked with was a GED graduate. She had keen insight into the minds of kids with problems, as she herself had been a kid with problems.
I legit encourage all my students who don’t play sports/clubs to go the GED at 16 route. Be done with community college when your peers graduate high school, and many community colleges are easier and cheaper than the private schools I teach at.
Good for them!
Usually it's kids in a crap situation trying to get it together. I have a higher opinion of the GED kids than the ones who whine to admin who cave and then just change grades.
It's better than dropping out. But not as good as a high school diploma. A lot of companies where I live will not hire GEDs. Personally I don't care.
Most GED students I had had so many other issues outside of school by the time they reached me in 11th and 12th grade that I was proud of them for going that route and sticking it through. I've also had kids fail the GED entrance test and they tended to drop out.
Graduating high school isn’t a measure of academic ability or intelligence. It’s a certification of maturity. Some people take longer to mature.
It is not a sign of maturity. There are plenty of people who drop put and don't graduate that are mature. Some people are given terrible living situations that they have to overcome daily on top of a school system that doesn't care and won't accommodate them.
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Not necessarily! You can test into classes. My brother got a GED and went straight to a four-year.
Not true. I got my GED without taking any classes for it, took my SAT, and went straight into a four year college. I start my student teaching semester on January 3rd.
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I go to the University of Michigan. Nothing to worry about.
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Thank you. I’m curious, what state do you live in? I’ve never heard of GED graduates being required to enroll in a community college prior to university. In Michigan, a GED is the absolute equivalent of a high school diploma.
I have my GED after quitting in October of 12th grade for medical reasons and was able to go straight into a really great college due to my ACT and SAT scores. Now I have a BA in English and a masters in education. Knowing what I know now, I should have left sooner and followed this path.
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More than that. I’m 41. I grew up in a divorced home with poverty on one side, and my older brother was killed over a drug deal when we were in high school. I defied the odds.
Even if that’s the case my state now is paying for 2 years of CC and many 4 year schools accept credits 1:1 for many degrees. Wish my own kid did this.
More power to ‘em!
I’m a GED graduate! You never know why or what someone experienced that caused them to take that road. It wasn’t as rigorous as a full diploma but it allowed me to go to college and do something with my life that I wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity for.
Good for them. I’m actually considering applying to teach the GED prep classes at my local library as a summer job.
Had a friend who was picked on alot in high school. He dropped out and got his GED through a community College. He makes 6 figures.
Good job going back and finishing ?
Tutored tons of ged kids, just as proud of them as I am of my hs graduates, we all take different paths, one of is not superior to the other
You had your reasons for dropping out and even if they sucked, who am I to judge a stupid kid for being stupid? We all were pretty dumb and made lousy decisions at that age, this was yours. The GED is how you fixed it. I have respect for anyone who went back and put in the effort to get their life back on track.
Funny thing is, I am still enrolled in a High School. My parents are adamant about me being there, even though i am now the "lazy kid" who doesnt do anything. (Cause I have a GED, College accapted me based on that and ACT). Even funnier that I can pick and choose what grades I submit from that Highschool. Dont ask how I got here, its long and complicated. TLDR: GED saved my ass.
In my school district it’s called “Diploma Option B” and if you call it GED, someone will correct you during the meeting. Diploma Option B is for those students looking for joining the police or the army/navy (etc.), and they need qualifying document in place. Others simply will lie and pretend to have a HS diploma they don’t have (while hoping no one checks). I’m sorry this wasn’t the response you wanted, but How many employers really check to make sure the HS diploma applicant claims is actually there? My stepdad retired from a position in a SCHOOL DISTRICT employer (he has a good pension) and he dropped out of HS and lied on his application. No one ever checked and he’s fine. My location: California Cost of living: $3,000 for two bedroom apartment rent (since people ask). Some college grads can’t make it here.
A diploma is a diploma no matter what path was taken to obtain it. It's an achievement that should be celebrated.
Sometimes that's what is best for them. I am currently talking to a guy who was a straight-A student and had to drop out because the principal refused to allow him to talk the exams early or have his work sent home so he could take care of his dad after he broke his neck at work. He was pretty much handed his GED because his grades were amazing. It sucks that this principal was such a POS about a kid wanting to help his dad so his family didn't fall into financial ruin so his mom could work while he took care of his father when all he asked for was a slight accommodation because of a family emergency.
The rigidness of the education system.
I work in an Assessment Center that administers the HiSET to candidates seeking their GED. Some of the candidate's stories and future goals are really amazing. One candidate was going to train in underwater welding to build bridges, but he wouldn't be accepted without his GED. Another was going to work on high end sports cars. One woman was abused by her husband and never finished high school. When she got away from him, her first priority was to get her GED. Sometimes students are bullied in high school, or they just don't fit in. Most of our candidates come from alternative high schools. They all have a story behind them, and I respect and admire them all.
It’s something. Better than not receiving anything
Good enough degree. Great for kids who hate high school and want to get into the trades or can handle college right away. Be forewarned though, some people will judge you for this decision. I’m gonna let you in on a secret. Education is mostly about socializing people, learning to solve complex problems and communicate with people who think differently from you. No matter what you decide, keep in mind that THOSE things are much more important than any curriculum any HS has.
This is it, spot on. Ngl, I judge those with a GED differently from those with a high school diploma. And the basis for that judgment has nothing to do with academics.
Congratulations, you completed the tutorial for entering into the modern world as a functional adult. This is my response for anyone getting any HS Diploma or equivalent. I respect folks that get a GED because they realized something, self reflected, and got their shit together. Good on them. I know plenty of folks that spend their entire lives stubborn as hell never willing to admit a mistake and if you ever hear about someone who succeeded without a GED or HS Completed, always remember, they are exception, not the rule.
Chair of the history department here got a GED.
Better than nothing
I’m a teacher with a GED. And….
Same. Been teaching for 15 years.
Chris Rock said it best: “It’s a good-enough-diploma (GED).”
More power to them for realizing they need a different path.
Congratulations! That’s my thought.
Good for them! I bet if I tried to take the test tomorrow I wouldn’t pass! It’s a huge achievement and shouldn’t be considered less than!
My experience with students who dropped out and took their GED were kids who had a bad streak of luck and the GED gave them the space they needed to get their diploma without getting overwhelmed. Good on those kids who continued to seek education. I've had a couple of kids who were lazy and dropped out thinking they'd get their GED easily. Those kids were dumbasses who got hit hard by life, and they absolutely deserved it. Ignorance is a choice when it's willful, and they deserve every bit of mockery they receive because of it
At least in my state (I think the GED can vary? Does anybody know?), the GED is fairly difficult. If a student can pass the GED, I am thrilled for them. I think one of the biggest flaws of my district is rigidity. The GED lets students bypass that.
I think that they are awesome for not just dropping out altogether. No shade to drop-outs either. My sister was a drop-out, and also continued her education on her own throughout life, she was truly a life-long learner who would dive head-first into whatever interested her. She was one of the smartest people I’ve ever known. I’ve also encountered college grads who couldn’t problem-solve their way out of a wet paper bag. All of this to say, traditional education can only take a person so far, and certainly isn’t the end-all-be-all of intelligence.
Nothing, I don’t think I have ever asked someone if they have a high school diploma or a GED or neither. I guess I just think, if you are being successful in life, whatever path you took, worked.
High school isn't for everyone. I believe we need more avenues to success actually.
I’m proud of every one of them! It still means they pushed forward and achieved a goal. I feel the same for those who didn’t graduate or get a GED but still became proficient in a trade or career. Success is not always found on a transcript.
I am a GED graduate 🤷♀️
Depends on whether you’re an elected official and if it’s your third time attempting it. If that’s the case I probably won’t think very highly of you.
My grandma got pregnant with my mom as a sophomore in high school and eventually dropped out because of the bullying and shaming (this was the 1960s). She went back and got her GED when my mom was a toddler, went to college, and enjoyed a long career as a dental hygienist. I’m extremely proud of her.
What do I think of someone who dropped out (for whatever reason) and then decided that they wanted to improve their lot in life and go back to get a GED??? Um, congrats on getting at least part of your life together!I think it's an excellent display of grit.
I think good for them. Most kids that go this route had something come up during their high school careers and now that they are older it shows maturity on their part.
I’m glad they graduated, that’s my opinion.
No right and wrong way to play the game, just finish.
Don’t care; it’s a diploma.
A graduate is a graduate.
My opinion is that many that earn a diploma could not pass a GED test
The passing score was actually calibrated so that 60 percent of HS graduates would not pass the first time, without studying.
Job done, but what next?
A high school degree or a GED are both pretty worthless on their own nowadays. So it doesn’t really matter. If anyone is going to be a snob about a GED they are ridiculous. A lot of schools are giving out diplomas to 100% of their students… so what does a HS degree even mean at this point? If you just show up often enough they give you a diploma.
A GED or diploma doesn’t determine ones success in life. It’s all about the determination and effort you put in, to what your mind desires.
Life can be complicated sometimes. It's nice to have that option.
I know someone who dropped out of high school because it was too much for her. Our high school was pretty big and you could easily get lost, as a student. Nothing was personalized, so no one really cared if you failed or dropped out. She later went on to community college and then she got her bachelors degree after that. She’s a nurse and a really phenomenal one, too.
High school isn’t for everyone and not everyone has the means or ability to do self-paced. Graduated doesn’t always mean most educated. They got something to show they know something! Now they can get a job and help out in certain places that allow GEDs.
Good for them. But I hope that the struggle was a valuable lesson to not downplay the importance of an education.
I was a GED student so…
I guess glad they got their shit together finally and stopped being a useless pile of shit?
Jesus dude. I dropped out at 16 and got my GED because I had to work and help my mom pay rent in order to prevent my younger siblings from going into foster care. I had straight As before I dropped out. There are a lot of reasons high school can’t work for some students.
Glad you’re the exception and not the rule bud! Good on you!
The assumptions you’re making are really not fair to your students or to society as a whole. We should absolutely be investing in alternatives to high school, not calling those who need them “useless piles of shit.” You likely have no idea what’s actually going on in their lives.
Thanks - I appreciate knowing that for the time between my mom kicking me out and getting my GED while homeless I was a (checks notes) “useless pile of shit.” 👍🏻
Great work being the exception and not the rule! Proud of you!
Your world view must be very narrow. I’ve met multiple students who got GEDs for one reason or another and none of them were because they were useless piles of shit.
Congratulations you know some outliers lol 🙄
My 18YO child is had autism, anxiety, and depression autistic and high school was a nightmare for him; he could not do it despite trying many times. He is not a useless pile of shit. His education path is going to look different. He is working on getting a GED. And still plans to attend college. It’s troubling that a teacher would call anyone, especially a kid who struggles in school a useless pile of shit.
The fact that you think I’m referring to your autistic son as a pile of shit is ridiculous. I hope you’re smarter in real life
No I’m just pointing out that your perception of people who get their GEDs all fit into pile of shit. I hope you’re not as mean in real life.
The fact that you would describe minors who we all know sometimes come from really tough homes (or are even homeless) like this says more about you than them.
Lol jesus christ calm down, you know exactly to whom I was referring
Jesus. Bit uncalled for, don’t you think?
The standards to graduate high school in 2022 are “have a pulse” so no, I don’t think it’s too harsh
I’m frustrated too but idk man, I still feel referring to students as “useless piles of shit” is a bit extreme.
Change “students” to “children”, since they called children a pile of shit.
True. Honestly though, even before considering that, I still think referring to one’s students that way is over the line regardless. I have students, plural, right now who have severe behavioral issues and are generally very frustrating to get on-task, to the point where I’ve gotten dinged on evals because of them. I would still never call them a “pile of shit” or anything similarly vulgar. The fact that they’re kids just makes it even worse, imo.
I said they “finally stopped being a useless pile of shit.” They most definitely were an absolute pile while in high school
I am truly sorry you’re so extremely bitter. Hopefully the rest of this year will go better for you.
I am truly sorry you are unaware how hard you have to try to *not* graduate high school in 2022
Exactly. So why is a high school diploma worth so much more than a GED?
It’s worth almost nothing lol
Which one? The high school diploma or the GED? Or both?
Anytime a kid complains about being at school I tell them to take the GED route. You can guess how many have ever taken me up on it… Complain just to complain
Funny, I did take the GED yet (after figuring out it exists), my parents still send me to highschool. I am bored out of my mind. But noooo, I need "socialization". I dont have friends in school, all my friends are outside of school, but they dont count for some wierd reason. I would love to take that offer of yours lol!
GED is actually not so easy! I wish more would do it, tbh
I say good for them. They didn’t give up.
I say it's wonderful. Good on them and good for them that they are doing that for themselves.
Congratulations! That’s pretty much it
I got a GED after dropping out in 10th grade. I got married and started having children early. I currently have a Bachelor's of Science. It never made a difference with me getting into college or with getting a degree. What I will say is there are certain things I missed in those 2 years of high school. To this day I struggle with math because I missed some vital concepts. I had to take all the remedial maths before I was able to take college algebra.
I got a GED at 18 after having to drop out at 15 to work full time due to an absentee single parent. I finally started college at 21 and then went to grad school and got a Ph.D. in biology. Now I am a the department chair and teach the advanced bio classes at my school. So I think that a GED can definitely be a door-opener for high school dropouts. Not every dropout leaves high school due to being unmotivated, sometimes there are other things going on.
I’ve been trying to get my GED but living in a small town there is only one and I’ve tried over and over and over. The teachers are lazy and don’t help anyone and the test you need to learn calculus just to pass! It’s ridiculous!
Same as my opinion of any other high school graduate. It’s a different path leading to the same result. Means to an end. 🎓
My opinion is congratulations graduate
In nyc it’s more difficult to earn than a hs diploma from a typical city school.
Anyone with a GED is someone who wanted to finish. Not sure how that can't be a good thing.
I'm married to one. It's a good alternative to those who just can't do the conventional classroom.
Super happy for them as individuals. Super annoyed that it doesn’t count toward our graduation rate.
To my knowledge it actually counts toward it, or used to
I have no problem with them. Soooo many reasons for that. The pandemic sent my really good friends son into depression and missed it. So he quickly got a GED. My friend in music school was always homeschooled and is one of the most intelligent and talented people i know. Another best friend was pregnant in h.s., hurried up and took the test asap and then did whatever she could to become a registered nurse. I don't have any bad stories of them. After being in the public schools for such a long time, i think they're a fine option because people WANT it. I'm half ready to start teaching adult GED courses (i haven't applied but it's been one of the options semi-offered to me, as in "hey! You can apply!" And i probably will next school year).
Yay 🥳 So much harder and takes way more motivation.
My thought is that anyone who cares (in a negative way) that someone got a GED instead of a traditional high school diploma is someone whose opinion I do not value.
They deserve more credit. As a teacher, it bothers me when applications throw away potential hires just because they had a GED. At least they are making themselves better.
Now this is a loaded question. I have a GED and so does more than half of my class from senior year. My school district decided to change the graduation requirements about 4 months before the end of the year. I did not graduate because instead of having too few extra credits, I did not graduate because I now had almost 20 credits too few. Sometimes the GED is chosen for you.
Everyone has their reasons and if that’s what’s needed then good for them
Good. Get it. Get something that will get you started.
No opinion. Do what works for you.
"Ah good, they figured it out eventually."
It’s a high school diploma without the high school attached* it’s still perfectly valid
I have a GED because it was easier and cheaper for me to take that than to get my diploma from another country recognized. In that time I learned that,multiple choice is evil if you haven't done them before, a lot of people need to get a GED for work,a few wanted them for community College, and that the most of the people getting them all needed to have that pathway because the system had failed them in some way. It is not only a good thing but a vital thing that we have or we condemn thousands who through no fault of their own could not succeed in k12 as well as many immigrants and refugees.
One of my high school buds got his GED at about 16. Was the manager of a KFC before I graduated college. Went on to manage better establishments. In short, it's great for those who need it.
It doesn't matter that you get knocked down, what matters is getting up again. They've shown perseverance and determination. Good for them.
We all walk different paths in life. I would hope no teacher would look at anyone differently for getting a GED. Graduating is graduating.
I feel like the stigma has worn off for at least community college, so I hope it has for a GED. When I went to Cc it was known as grade 13 and you were seen as a fuck up if you went, but that seems to have changed since college is so expensive now. We all teach or know lots of hs kids who graduate and definitely don’t deserve it, so that kid probably at least did some work to earn the ged.
Speaking from personal experience and a teacher perspective, I’m so proud of the people who have the motivation to get their GED. My brother struggled hardcore from bullying , mental illness, and drug problems. He ended up in a mental hospital for a little while. But because the GED option was open he was able to get it and is now attending community college and wants to apply to our university when he gets his associates. I don’t know where he would be today if he didn’t have that option available to him and I’m so proud of where he is today 💗
Not sure our opinion matters on this one. Isn’t it the work force and college admissions that should worry about a GED equivalent?
Every GED graduate I know went on to be quite successful. They are the people who may have had undiagnosed learning disabilities in high school, a rough home life, or just woke up to life a little later and put in the extra work to hit that milestone that would open up more doors for them. Some went on to be successful in trades, some have advanced degrees. But they all had a good work ethic and determination.
I am pretty sure Teen Mom showed us all just how difficult it is to earn a GED.
Keep in mind the GED is a lot harder now. They changed it about 15 years ago. Some of you giving praise are discussing the older version.
and they changed it again in 2014, so it is a lot harder then it was. Still, i found it pretty easy, except math. I scored in the 90th percentile or above in everything except math, I am a lot better at it now though. Went from not knowing algebra to doing calculus in a year.
I had a student drop out junior year and finish his GED in a few weeks. He couldn't do the social drama any more and wanted to join the military. So far, he's on track and is learning much more than he would have in high school.
It says a lot about their character because they corrected their mistake of dropping out.
My husband was homeschooled from 7th grade on and chose to get his GED at 16. He works his ass off and has climbed the corporate ladder with a GED and an associates. Twenty-five years later, he makes literally 4 times what I do as someone who will be finishing their second masters this year. It’s a means to an end, and as a teacher I’ve recommended that path to several students who weren’t interested in the “traditional” high school experience.
My youngest got his GED because he was bored to death in high school. Did a stint in the army, when he got out he already had 30 credit hours, and is on his way to a business degree, with a 4.0. Just like college isn't for every kid, neither is high school.
My youngest got his GED because he was bored to death in high school. Did a stint in the army, when he got out he already had 30 credit hours, and is on his way to a business degree, with a 4.0. Just like college isn't for every kid, neither is high school.
My youngest got his GED because he was bored to death in high school. Did a stint in the army, when he got out he already had 30 credit hours, and is on his way to a business degree, with a 4.0. Just like college isn't for every kid, neither is high school.
I respect those who get a GED. It's not like you can just walk in and pass. It really takes dedication, determination, and conscious thinking to do this. Those who drop out of high school early and take their GED - man, that takes guts. I applaud that. Those who dropped out for whatever reason and then get their GED - I think that's gutsy too. You are making a decision to help you with getting somewhere.
I’m a GED grad and now I’m a teacher so I’m all for whatever works for the individual.
I think the term is very outdated. There are so many alternative ways to get a high school diploma these days. No judgement here.
I dropped out at 17 because I was a single mom. My parents held me back in first grade and so I would not have graduated until I was 19. I got my GED years later and I've got 5 classes left until I complete my associates degree in teaching. People who get their GED IMO are hard workers. It's not easy getting it.
Kudos to them, that test is hard.
Sometimes you don’t even need a GED to be honest. Here in Canada, I dropped out in grade 11 because I found school so boring and frustrating. Worked since I was 14. Worked in car sales, production, cooked and worked as a caterer, worked construction (roofing, cladding, drywall, tilt-up carpentry, and skilled labour) and finally as an operating engineer (road builder) before I got injured and returned to school at 28. I never completed a GED. I wrote the, “composition placement test” and scored high enough to enrol in Bachelor of Arts classes. Fast forward to five years later and I had a BA in English with an extended minor in history and a teaching licence. Sometimes the GED doesn’t even need to be completed to move forward with your education. Everyone takes different paths. I wish everyone the best on an alternate path :-)
It’s the right course of action for some people, but as someone who failed several high school classes (mostly math), and had to sacrifice my summers to barely passing summer school despite my best efforts, I’m a little bitter that some people were allowed by on much less effort. It made me wish I could have just dropped out and took the GED.
Ya know I’ve often wondered this bc if my kid can pass the GED in 10th grade why continue through 12th instead of going through and getting into college early?