I had someone ask me whats the difference between Graduation Exit Exams and the GED? I know that the kids in Louisiana are tested for GEE in 10th & 11 grades. In 10th grade they have to take the English and Math tests. In the 11th grade they take the Science and Social Studies tests. In order to pass they need achieve "Approaching Basic". The five achievement levels a student can earn on the GEE are as follows: Advanced A student at this level has demonstrated superior performance beyond the level of mastery. Mastery A student at this level has demonstrated competency over challenging subject matter and is well prepared for the next level of schooling. Basic A student at this level has demonstrated only the fundamental knowledge and skills needed for the next level of schooling. Approaching Basic A student at this level has only partially demonstrated the fundamental knowledge and skills needed for the next level of schooling. Unsatisfactory A student at this level has not demonstrated the fundamental knowledge and skills needed for the next level of schooling. I believe that the GED is written on probably the same level. It seems to me that "Approaching Basic" is a very low score. So I don't really see a difference. What do you all think? Am I totally off base???
GEE is going to be done away with soon, in favor of End of Course tests. Only a student of the "right age" can go take it with the public schoolers. If a homeschooler does go take GEE with the public schoolers, the ps still won't issue any kind of certificate or diploma based on that. The GED's whole purpose is that general equivalency diploma, and a person of any age (over a minimum age - 18?) can go take it. And Approaching Basic IS a very low score. I've seen kids' scores that were listed as "Basic" that amounted to only about 50-60% of correct answers. AB is lower than that! In my opinion, Advanced or Proficient would be like an A, Mastery would be like a B, Basic would be something like a C, and AB is like a D minus. Not in relation to percent correct, but in relation to each other.
In Terrebonne Parish, homeschoolers in the approved home study program can take the GED at 17. My friend had her son take the GED in his senior year of homeschooling so that he could get an accredited diploma from the state. She had to give Adult Ed a copy of the home study approval & his ACT scores. Adult Ed gave the kid a placement test which he passed easily. They scheduled him for the GED and he passed in the top 2 percent. My friend still issued him a homeschool diploma, her son was able to take part in the Adult Ed Graduation Ceremony, and he still qualified for TOPS. He is currently attending college on his TOPS scholarship. My friend wanted to be sure that her son had a diploma that would be recognized in every state. He tested for the GED in addition to completing his homeschooling. Taking the GED has not been a hinderance to him at all!
I don't understand why the state spends so much money on exit exams if the kids are able to pass with only partial knowlege and skills to graduate. I just don't get it!
The other reason my friend gave for wanting her son to take the GED was that the state will have a copy of the diploma. One of her friends had homeschooled all the way thru high school and issued her own mommy private school diploma this was about 8 to 10 years ago. Well their house was destroyed by a hurricane and the diploma & portfolios she kept as proof of what was studied during high school was destroyed. My friend considers the GED to be her back up in a worse case scenario.
