I left school because I was in looooooove and wanted to get marrrrried. How dense is that? And it was 1983, not like 1960-something.
My parents were fine with the reason I dropped out of school! They'd rather me do that and get a job, which I did, than stay in a school that's supposedly Christian, that's full of drugs and alcohol, and being pushed to use almost daily! It was crazy! I was in California, that's why I didn't have a GED, but the HE is the same idea, and worked for whatever a diploma or GED would. I was out for part of my junior year, and my senior year. Then I went to college the next year.
Hi, new to the site. My daughter just turned 14. She scored in the top ten percent in the nation on the SAT last October. She scored higher than the Harvard freshman class in 2008. She is a sophmore in HS now (never home schooled). I planned to let her take the GED so she could start at North Texas University this summer (they have already accepted her and approved her for summer classes). She had planned out all her courses and schedules to the PH.d level. Everything was going smoothly...I thought. She had to take some of the university's paperwork to her counselors at school. Well the counselor informed her, that going to college now was not the way to go at all. Her GED would be looked down upon, by everyone for the rest of her life. Now I am a patient man, and I don't tell my daughter what to do, I simply present her with facts and allow her to make her own choices...good or bad. I try to convince her on the right choice I believe will be in her best behalf. However, she is very strong willed and doesn't always take my advice. In this case, the counselor brought in the counselor from across the hall and they both tagged-teamed on her about just how "wrong" it was. Everyone on this site knows how overrated public school is and in some case does more harm than good. My daughter has a chance to improve her future, but after listening to her school counselors has informed me last night that she is going to stay in HS and finish early by going to summer school and only taking the classes needed to finish early and start college at age 16 (which with all do repect, is truly not bad, not many student achieve that) and get her HS diploma. I on the other hand, I believe it is a waste of valuable time. Megan is a natural at learning. I am a single father raising her and her little brother and have never had to help her on her studies or have I ever had to tell her to go study and do her homework. She has an incredable memory, that's her secret. She is very out going, and out spoken. Try to picture a nerd, who is an extravert, looks like a prom queen and has many friends (I know it is hard for me too). If it sounds like I am very proud of my daughter, it's because I am, and I don't want her to waste one more second in a public school when she has the talent for college. Please give me your thoughts on theis matter (good or bad) I will take all comments with a good heart and meant as good intentions to those who reply. Thank you for your time. -- Chris P.S. The journey of a thousand miles, always starts with one step.
I would have her check with the Texas University people, maybe they would have a different idea of what will look good to people. I should think being accepted to such a big U at her age would be a good thing!
I'm also one who feels that a GED would NOT be in her best interests. They are generally thought of as something given to drop-outs, and people who have one are looked down upon (never mind that it often takes a lot of commitment on their part to go back and get one as an adult!). Since she's so advanced, is there any way she can take college classes and high school at the same time? Or take placement tests that would allow her to test out of her classes, and still receive a diploma? Another option might be to put her into a Virtual School of some kind, where she would work at her own (accelerated) speed. Or could you homeschool her for a year or two yourself, directing her education in the ways that would most benefit her? But I do hear what you're saying about wanting her to continue, rather than wasting her time in a high school when they're not able to teach her anything!
Well you know, UNT in Denton Texas is a good school, but is not an ivy league school, it was just close to home and is cheaper than most schools and she could live at home and I could take her there and pick her up. I've put in a call to her HS today to talk to the counselor/s, and try to understand their reasoning. However no returned call as of 12:45. You do make a good point, I need to call and set up an appt. with the counselor at the university and they might have a different opinion. Thanks TM for your input and God bless you for the advice.
Hi Jackie, thanks for your interest. Almost all of Megan's classes are AP and a heavy load of studying and to compile more on top of that, would not be right on top of her church youth group meetings, violin competitions (URL) practice, sports and everything else, I just couldn't do that to her. I want her to have more free time, not less. I want her to have to work less, yet achieve more. Also, getting your GED at 14 y/o, how could that be looked down upon? She dosen't do drugs, she's not pregnant, she doesn't have poor grades, it's just a loop hole to allow her to advance to a higher of education...that's it, no more, no less. The Texas Ed. Agency doesn't have progams to allow students the ability to advance without going this route. And why should they? The public schools in Texas get $12,000 to $14,000 per student from the taxpayers to pay for their salaries. Also bright students allow poor schools with poor student to increase their school ratings an exam scores to look better than they really are. It is not in the schools best interest to allow Megan to leave and go some where else.
I think historically, a GED was or maybe, still is, viewed as someone who dropped out of school. I would encourage my child to get a diploma. Possibly graduate early like I had the opportunity to do because I took extra classes for more credits so I had other options.
Thanks MB for your guidence. That's what she is leaning toward. But let me ask you. HS Gov't and US Hist. is the same in a college freshmen level. Why take both? When one counts toward a HS diploma (which is not worth hanging on the wall and the other counts towards a college degree, worth getting a better job and a higher income. The only difference to me is the time involved.
I haven't read all the posts. But in response to some of the issues... I have a friend who has graduated 4 of her 6 from homeschool. Two of the girls chose to take the GED and two did not. one of the ones who took the GED did not actually "graduate" from homeschool, she got cross with her mother and left. (from what I can gather...it is better now.) She got a diploma from HSLDA for at least one of the girls. I don't remember. Our State org. has a conference in the spring and has a graduation ceremony and for the twins she "made" them participate. She said it was for the work she (the mother) put into it and it was important to her, so they did it. She said the girl who has both a GED and a HS diploma (from home) puts down whichever works the best. If she gets a question on the diploma, she pulls out the GED. It has worked fine. The GED qualified her for "other" scholorships. Three of the four girls are in good private colleges and all are doing well.
Dear Not a mama, First Kudo's on raising a bright, well adjusted young woman. I would start at the University and see if the councilor there can give you some insight. That being said. Take care with your daughter. I looked into going to College early myself and I ran into two problems. One, None of the other young ladies wanted much to do with a 16 yo "kid". Two, The young gentlemen(and I use the term loosely) were completely the opposite. Let's just say, that socially I was not prepared for college. (I did take one summer class that provided the information above.) I had no trouble with the course work. (although I also learned that I really, really needed to learn to type...which dates me.) I don't know that "rushing into adulthood" is necessarily a good idea...She will work for the rest of her life. She is not currently "wasting time" even if her curriculum is not particularly challenging. She is involved in much more than that with her school according to your post. Is she willing to give that up? If on the other hand she is planning on graduate school or a PhD. then it might be helpful to start early. Our local highschool allows concurrent enrollment, although the kids are limited in what they can take and how many hours. (It is also paid for by the school) It is such a big choice, I would gather (and have your daughter gather) as much info as possible from as many sources as possible. don't forget, as her father, it is your job also to guard her spirit and heart... What is it that you want for her? What does success mean? How powerful are you (both) going to allow others opinions to be? Good luck and wisdom to you and your daughter!!
I agree, I would talk to the colleges your child may be interested in and see what the admissions counselor has to say. I would say if there is a good SAT or ACT score and a transcript there should be no problem. It's funny, but I have many friends who are elementary or high school teachers and they are very against homeschooling. BUT, I work in a company that has about 60 colleges and I talk to college professors all the time and they are very FOR homeschooling. They say homeschooled students have wonderful work ethics, are very well-adjusted, driven and smart. So I would think your HSing diploma would be worth a lot to them!
You know, my 14yo (while not as bright as yours, N'a'M!) is a VERY independent worker. She is doing Algebra 2, Biology, and French totally on her own (except for Biology Lab once a week at the Co-op). Her tests range from 87% up. But what I'm proud of is that she is doing this ON HER OWN. I do not tell her what to do or when. She knows she needs to work on all her subjects daily, and she does. She records what she does each day, and lets me know when I need to grade her tests. Most high school kids can't do that. They need to be spoon-fed the material. But this ability to work independently is absolutely necessary for college success. As such, I can understand why the profs are FOR homeschooling. I also believe that a high school diploma is worth about as much as the paper it's printed on, and no more. Personally, I don't think it should be required for college admissions. Instead, I think it should be mostly dependent on your ACT/SAT scores. That way, the schools aren't "required" to teach all the remedial classes to "graduates" that don't have basic math or writing skills.
I know I'm late chiming in here, but we just had a lady come speak to our co-op about homeschooling our high-schoolers. She said do NOT get a GED- there is still a stigma attached to them that equates drop-out, with colleges and elsewhere. If your child is interested in the military, many will not accept for Tier-1 positions with a GED. Also, our state has a group that gets "seniors" together throughout their senior year to get to know one another, and then they hold a graduation ceremony in May. Maybe there is a group like that in your area? Just my two cents... MT3
Hi, Chris. You said you let her make her own decisions- so let her do this her way. If I'm still hsing when my 8 yr old is ready to graduate, I don't want her to have a GED, either. I, as a highschool dropout, went through a program that allowed me to earn my high school diploma, not a GED.
Ged I have had 3 friends from High School who ended up leaving early after getting their GED. All 3 are now making 6 figures 20 years later. It all depends on drive the way I see it! -Vic
You may want to check this link from the TEA. Your daughter may be to young to take the GED. http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/ged/eligible.html
