Okay, those of you in the know; My typically traditional brain says we want to get a 'real diploma' as apposed to a 'homeschool diploma' and GED to put on an application some day. I have a lump in my stomach because yesterday as I was saying that I would print up a diploma with our school name etc on it dh was actually laughing about it. He of course did not realise it was bothering me he was joking about writing it up in crayons. We all were in a funny mood so I tried to just write it off. After all HE is the one who is into HOme SCHOOLING more than me even! :angel: So This lead me to wonder, ds said a GED is as good as a Diploma in CA. Does anyone have info on this as far as other states? Like for instance WA where my dd wants to attend school? And for that matter, what IS the difference for workers? I mean employers do they look at the GED and think OH great this person was a drop out still like back in the day we were taught they would?
I don't know about elsewhere, but GED's are frowned upon here (SW MO). If it were me, I'd have a professional printing place design a nice diploma. After all, it's a big deal. I'd be willing to spend a little on it. But keep in mind that in all my years of going to colleges/being in the workforce, I've never been asked to provide a copy of my diploma. I've only ever been asked for my transcript. You can easily make that look very professional using your PC. I seem to have heard of some HSers using a form provided online for making a transcript, but you can also Google to find a format to follow.
Well I don't know I heard both sides to it. GED are looked at like a diploma, our neighbor who is a college teacher told us they like GED because it's usually a homeschooler and those children are more into studying and listening and not party. Then I heard from other people a diploma is the way to go. We I think are heading for a diploma.
I have the same lump in my throat when I think of GED as opposed to diploma. A GED is not looked upon well. However, I think that is because it is associated with drop outs and not homeschoolers for the most part. Maybe as more homeschoolers graduate from homeschool this will change. Not sure what I will do.
My children WILL NOT get a GED!!! NO WAY!!! A GED is for those who drop out of school, then go back to get a "diploma". Now understand, I think that those who DO get a GED should be commended. It is a difficult thing to do once you've dropped out. BUT my children are not drop-outs. When I am done, they WILL HAVE COMPLETED their studies, and WILL HAVE a high school education. I will issue a diploma, and not worry about it.
okay < Jackie thats great but, will it be acreditied as a Diploma? will colleges recomend a private school diploma, those are the thigns we need to look at I have a professional diploma already ready to go for dd, for when she reaches that , but... I am ot an acredited school... liek how private schools have to sign up to be acredieted meet certain requirements etc? SO what good is a piece of paper? not much seriously. Technically speaking our home school diploma may not be recognised as a true diploma. Even though we are registered as a private school.
HSLDA is making great strides in that direction. I've many friends who have "graduated" kids from their homeschool, and they've not had problems. It has been discussed at the Homeschool conference, and again, problems are few and far between. Personally, I don't think the piece of paper from an 'accredited" high school means much either. My dss got one, and he did NOT deserve it!!! Nor do half the kids who DO "graduate" from the PS. I know my kids will have a better education without THEIR piece of paper than most of them will have WITH it.
My kids are getting their high school diploma. :love: I think historically, a GED was or maybe, still is, viewed as someone who dropped out of school. But for us, the diploma is a good fit. Has anyone thought about the high school graduation announcements? Are you going to send them out?
right me too, but that is just what I am thinking on this for, because I know the education they are getting is good and deep and rooted and grounded, but.... when they apply I want them to be seen as true strong and real students just like they are! Youknow what I mean>? Just because I know my ds can draw, for instance, if he does not show anyone his work no one will consider him an artist.
sorry I am posting so much, but I saw this after I posted and was going to point out, my ds16 asked me why he would want to graduate with a group? can you give me some good reasons other than because I want something in his life to be ( pardon the phrase but its all I can come up with) like everyone else. I as a mom have had to not see my kids graduate from grade school, Jr and now High school? I am sorry but I was really looking forward to that, I had a lot of fun in school and was blessed that I enjoyed it, I understand my kids where I live can't go through all that but I know tht dd really wants a real graduation cerimony and everything that goes with it, caps and gowns etc. I am not rich enough to join the big groups we have for home school here in my area I joined the group I did for co op because its practically free.... I pay for the schooling twice as it is so why pay someone to hang around with me and call me part of thier group ya know? hehe
My kids won't be graduating with a group. I was planning on getting some graduation announcements made to let the family know they are graduating. I went to a very large school and graduated with a lot of other students. I can't say it was that magical, my girlfriends and I graduated, we went to a party, they started drinking and throwing up, I went home. Nothing magical there.
thanks Mamabear and Jackie you both are really calming my worries, I appreciate it a lot, so I am okay with it if I have my kids graduate as the only one in thier class and we can print off the offical diploma and they can show that as their hs diploma for college aps right?
I think the GED vs. diploma issue also depends upon the tech school/college/university the teen wants to attend. My brother is a prof at U of Idaho and sits on a committee that deals specifically with the admission of "non-traditional" students, including both older students and those that have been homeschooled. He told me that almost all hs-ers are admitted, regardless of GED or diploma as long as they can document how they spent their time. However, he did advise me that the process or standard procedures vary among universities. Hope this helps! Carol
I am a member of CHEO. Every year at the conference, they have a graduation ceremony. So my kids can "graduate" as a large group, if we so chose. I've a friend who has had two out of nine graduate. They hold a ceremony at home, inviting all their friends/family to come. And Dad hands the graduate his diploma, speaks a blessing of some kind over him/her, and the graduate addresses those assembled. Then they EAT, lol!!! So really, it's however you want it.
Honestly, I doubt you have anything to worry about. When your kids apply for college it will be obvious they were homeschooled. Also, your kids will most likely score very well on the ACTs and SATs. I think printing a diploma is a great idea. I sincerely doubt a college will care that your kids have a GED. In fact, quite a few college's have expressed that homeschooled students do very well if not better than other students. Your kids will be just fine. Many are hung up on the idea that a GED is not as good. Realistically that is untrue.
sounds fun! THe reason I am so worried suddenly is , well you know we sent ds16 out to highschool, and now he is talking about wanting to save us the money and stay homeschooling next year. But he only wants to take acouple at home and the rest in the college, community college here. Dh said why not just go take your GED and get started on all college courses? DS said no, I want to make sure I have all the requred credits first. Smart boy. Anyway, so now that I have planned to not deal with highschool graduation and all that emotional garbage I tossed out up there LOl, I may have to after all...... I just don't want the kids coming back at me with "you ruined my life because you didn't let me graduate from an acredited school!" lol, ya I know it sounds bad and silly, but ds was really concerned with acreditation of his school last year.
My kiddos are all younger but I do have a local "yahoo group" friend whose son just got acceptances for all 3 of his top college picks. He's been homeschooled from the beginning and I know they didn't use a correspondence school for a diploma (lifelong Sonlighters). They are all smaller colleges (his choice) but still all fine Christian schools. Like others mentioned, I think as long as you do your homework on what a particular school wants....a homeschool diploma will be fine. Since I live in VA, the home of HSLDA, there is a lot of no-GED conversations in our local area groups. I agree, generally, it is frowned upon BUT some folks do opt for it. Honestly, once a kid graduates from college, that's what employers look at not the diploma or the GED. If your son wants to go to community college, I say go for the dual enrollment and print up a diploma when he's done (even if its in crayon....lol). Most universities and colleges recognize that homeschoolers are some of their BEST students . There are tons of books now about HS thru the high school years and I know our HS conference had guest speakers....you might check your library (which you've probably already done). Rhonda C.
I agree with Rhonda. But again, let me stress that it is MUCH MORE DIFFICULT to get a GED than it is to get a diploma. So to me, anyone who has bothered to take the time to study and get a GED shows a lot of determination to better himself. That SHOULD speak well of the person.
You're right Jackie...it should but unfortunately sometimes it doesn't. Again, it probably depends on the college/employer. Assuming we HS thru high school, we'll probably go the diploma route with dual enrollment at a community college......just trying to get thru K,2nd, and 4th grade for now . Rhonda C.
As I said... I've never known anyone to have to show a diploma to a college. They want your transcript and ACT/SAT scores. Remember, teens apply for and are accepted to college months before they graduate and receive a diploma. And most schools mail them, taking even more months before getting it. My diploma came in the mail when I was already away at college.
