I met a lady the other day that has HS for 18 yrs. (10 children) she said that she schools her children K-11th and then their Senior yr. they spend the year preparing for their GED and working. That's all the "school" they do for that year. Does anyone know how you would go about this? Can you get a copy of the GED so you know what is on it, or what? I wasn't able to get anymore info from her or her phone #. I am sure I could have learned a lot from this lady. I'll just keep learning from all of you.
There are books you can buy to study for the GED, like most other standardized tests. I went to Amazon and did a search on GED Prep and 16 results popped up on the first of multiple pages. Interesting to me - #16 was a Switched on Schoolhouse CD for the languages arts portion of the GED.
Our library has test-prep books for the GED (and other standardized tests) that you can borrow. You should consider carefully whether you want your student(s) to take the GED or not - depending on what they want to do after. Community colleges are good with it, but others may not be. Some things to do with the military, they prefer a homeschool diploma rather than a GED. Like it or not, fair or not, the GED carries a certain stigma with it because it's associated with dropouts. http://www.acenet.edu/ The official GED site.
YEP!!! NO GED FOR MY KIDS!!! They will be high school graduates and will have a diploma issued by me. Think VERY HARD about going this route!
They've just passed a law here in La. that if you're on Approved Home Study and send in your transcript to the state, they'll assess it and approve your diploma the same as an accredited private school one. I don't know yet what kind of hoops you have to jump through, though...
(1) I've never heard anything like what these ladies are advising you. I'm not saying it's not true. I'm just saying I've never heard such a thing, because my mom has been a GED teacher for over 20 years. She gets lots of homeschoolers, and some go straight into military/college. (2) If you've done your job, there's no reason to cram for the GED test (I passed the practice test in 8th grade with a PS education). My mom tells me all the time that she NEVER gets a mediocre homeschooler. They either pass with flying colors the first time, or they can't pass to save their life, no matter how many times they take it. (3) Call your local GED office. Classes should be free after the age of about 16-18, and they'll give you practice tests to show which areas need the most attention.
The military ran a "trial program" where they gave homeschoolers the same rating as regular high school graduates, and it worked out so well they decided to continue it. However, although they will take GED graduates depending on their ASVAB and such, certain career paths in the military are closed to them, since they are not "top-tier" individuals. OTOH, GED plus some college is considered "top tier" and no barriers to advancement.
Thats not fair, or true, what some of the posters have said. GED's aren't less than HS Diplomas. I have a GED. I spent my highschool years (16-18) in vocational school and then sat for my GED and was admitted to college with no problem! The only difference between me and all the other Freshmen pursuing degrees was that I had 3--yes, THREE job skills under my belt when I started college. My older brother and sister have also gotten GED's after obtaining 3 and 4 job skills through Vocational school, respectively. My brother studies in a good school overseas and my sister is on her way to one of the best Business schools in the nation. Its because many people are buying into the stigma of GED's as being less, and porpetuating it that some graduates have to be shy or embarassed about their diplomas. Well, I'm not!!!!
Will a diploma issued by you get them into the College or University of their choice? I thought they had to have something more official.
In addition - some colleges, mostly private ones, might try and force your student to take the GED for admission - DO NOT GIVE IN. Homeschool students are not drop-outs and we will not take the GED for any school. Luckily we have several years before college, so I bet the homeschool admissions process will only get easier. Spending your senior year studying and taking the GED sounds like a big waste of time in my opinion. I bet most 8th graders could pass the test.
Gizzy, I would encourage you to look around a little more - we are certainly not pulling this out of thin air. The GED stigma is no secret and neither is the dissatisfaction homeschoolers have with taking the test. What the ladies said previously is true. like it or not, fair or not.
In my state, homeschoolers can only receive a GED, they cannot get a "homeschool diploma". However, with a GED, you can go straight to community college. After 2 years and an AA at a community college, you get automatic acceptance to any Florida state university of your choice. Not bad if you ask me. Btw, I got a GED in Florida. Many highschools and community colleges give free prep classes for it. However, I didn't need them. I went, took a pre-test, and they told me I was good to go. Some sample questions on the GED are: They show you a picture of two clocks, and ask you totell how much time has passed between them! It's a very, very easy test.
PS. In my state, you can get your GED at age 16. Then you can go straight to community college, and take prep math and English (not for credits) if needed. This is what I'd like to do with my son.
It is true that the military will not take a GED for all jobs. In some cases they will not take a GED at all. I'd be careful about limiting my child's opportunties if they aren't sure what path they want to follow.
Colleges have learned how well hs'ed kids do. They actually go looking for hs'ed kids. My children''s ACT/SAT scores will speak for them.
I too have home educated for 18 yrs but we did NOT do a GED. They completed all their school and I issued a diploma to them. They didn't quit so I didn't want them to get a GED. And yes, most colleges (if that is what they want to do) will accept diplomas issued by the parents. Also make up a transcript of their work. They will just test and place them. Here is where I order my diplomas. They are very nice. http://www.homeschooldiploma.com/di...rs/high-school-diplomas-for-home-schools.html
Glad I asked you ladies. This seemed like a good idea the other day when I was talking to this lady. I see now that it is not. Thanks for your help and in sight.
The old school house magazine had an online homeschool expo. And one of the speakers talked about highschool transcripts. I can't remember if it was her website or the expo session,but in one she talked about high school diplomas and that just because a public school gives a high school diploma does NOT mean they are accredited. All a high school diploma is,she says, is a certificate of achievement. There are websites where you can purchase actual diplomas for your children. She did this and all of her children went to the college of their choice with a full scholorship and the diplomas were accepted just fine.. So I don't think that a GED is necessary. A homeschool diploma should do just fine. I'll try to find the websites she referanced. I think I have them in my favorites. Angela
