GET YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER! The 2014 GED is quickly approaching.

[Claire in NM]

I homeschool my daughter and she is planning to graduate in 2015. The school she is interested in is Calarts, which, for homeschoolers, requires a GED test score. In my state, the current GED test has not been much of a hurdle since a "passing" score is considered 9th grade level. However, the NEW 2014 GED test is intended to be more rigorous than the current test; it's purpose is not only to indicate high school equivalency (which will be set at a higher grade level than the current 9th grade level), but also to serve as an indicator for college and career readiness.

 

The new 2014 GED will indeed be tougher, and, for homeschoolers, it will probably be a better indicator of the thoroughness that homeschoolers have brought in educating their children. If anything, the NEW 2014 GED will validate homeschoolers as well-educated and well-qualified for job training and college.

 

Google the NEW 2014 GED Assessment Guide to check out the new 2014 GED.

 

Claire in NM

 

PS If you intend to have your kids take the current GED, have them take all subject tests by December 2013. If they do not pass all subject tests by 2013, all previous test scores will be eliminated and your child will have to start all over with the new 2014 GED subject tests. Not only is the 2014 test harder, it is more expensive.

[lionfamily1999]

Will this make it a better alternative to a hs high school diploma?

[TammyS]

A lot of homeschoolers avoid GED because it carries the connotation of being a drop-out and negatively impacts how the child is viewed by colleges/employers.

[lionfamily1999]

A lot of homeschoolers avoid GED because it carries the connotation of being a drop-out and negatively impacts how the child is viewed by colleges/employers.

 

So does making it harder make it a more appealing alternative?

[Musicmom]

A lot of homeschoolers avoid GED because it carries the connotation of being a drop-out and negatively impacts how the child is viewed by colleges/employers.

:iagree:No matter how challenging they make the GED, it will probably always carry this negative connotation--hence, it will never be better than a hs high school diploma. I would only do the GED if your dc has absolutely no other alternative. (Colleges that required a GED from homeschoolers got crossed off our list.)

[Musicmom]

So does making it harder make it a more appealing alternative?

I would say no. For one thing, I don't think most people/employers are going to know the challenge level of the test--they just know what the GED is. I think it would take years for that to change. And even if public awareness of the difficulty level did increase, I think as long as the GED is the path that high school drop-outs have to take, it will have a "drop-out" connotation--because high school graduates get high school diplomas, not GED's. Hope that makes sense.

[lionfamily1999]

It makes perfect sense. Thank you.

[TammyS]

I would say no. For one thing, I don't think most people/employers are going to know the challenge level of the test--they just know what the GED is. I think it would take years for that to change. And even if public awareness of the difficulty level did increase, I think as long as the GED is the path that high school drop-outs have to take, it will have a "drop-out" connotation--because high school graduates get high school diplomas, not GED's. Hope that makes sense.

 

:iagree: I think the only way that there will ever be a substantial change is if the commonly accepted course of education (public or private high school) were to change to open up and include lots more variations (various levels of dual enrollments, apprenticeships, GED, CC, and the like). But I doubt that is ever going to happen and even if it did, it would take a long time (generation) for the perception to change.

[Sweets]

I honestly had no idea what it took to pass the GED test until my youngest niece and my sister came to live near us. My niece began homeschooling in 9th grade but then got lazy in 11th grade and never finished high school. She turned 19 last year and decided to go for her GED. It took her one year of classes 3 times weekly and then 5 times to pass the test. Seeing her go through this process made us all realize that the GED is not a simple test. If someone passes the GED, it is quite an achievement. They even did a wonderful full-blown graduation ceremony, and it was the happiest graduation we had ever attended. The valedictorian was a man in his late 30s who gave a short talk about how this had changed his life. The salutorian was a single mom in her early 20s who gave a talk about how everyone thought she was a stupid loser until she walked into the adult education center.

 

There is a real need for the GED; however, I would encourage any teenager NOT to go that route unless absolutely necessary. It is not easy. In fact, my two boys in high school decided that high school was easier than what their cousin was going through.

 

My niece told me that the test was getting harder to pass starting next year. I think this is a mistake. If my niece (who is quite intelligent) struggled to pass this less rigorous test, I can imagine that a harder test would not necessarily be an improvement on what they have now.

[TammyS]

I honestly had no idea what it took to pass the GED test until my youngest niece and my sister came to live near us. My niece began homeschooling in 9th grade but then got lazy in 11th grade and never finished high school. She turned 19 last year and decided to go for her GED. It took her one year of classes 3 times weekly and then 5 times to pass the test. Seeing her go through this process made us all realize that the GED is not a simple test. If someone passes the GED, it is quite an achievement. They even did a wonderful full-blown graduation ceremony, and it was the happiest graduation we had ever attended. The valedictorian was a man in his late 30s who gave a short talk about how this had changed his life. The salutorian was a single mom in her early 20s who gave a talk about how everyone thought she was a stupid loser until she walked into the adult education center.

 

There is a real need for the GED; however, I would encourage any teenager NOT to go that route unless absolutely necessary. It is not easy. In fact, my two boys in high school decided that high school was easier than what their cousin was going through.

 

My niece told me that the test was getting harder to pass starting next year. I think this is a mistake. If my niece (who is quite intelligent) struggled to pass this less rigorous test, I can imagine that a harder test would not necessarily be an improvement on what they have now.

 

I don't think that anyone was suggesting that people who take the GED are dumb in some way, just that it isn't well received in the marketplace or at colleges.

[Claire in NM]

than a high school diploma.

 

Not only will the 2014 GED course of study be harder and longer, it will give students, parents, schools a better indication as to college-readiness or job-training readiness.

 

The only problem for parents is if your student does not pass all 5 subject area tests on the current GED before Jan 2014, then your student can kiss those passing scores goodbye and restart the whole process all over again.

 

Claire in NM

[snowbeltmom]

:iagree:No matter how challenging they make the GED, it will probably always carry this negative connotation--hence, it will never be better than a hs high school diploma. I would only do the GED if your dc has absolutely no other alternative. (Colleges that required a GED from homeschoolers got crossed off our list.)

 

:iagree:

Regardless of how much more challenging they make the GED, I don't think it will ever be viewed "better" than a high school diploma for the simple fact that the GED is taken by individuals that did not complete high school.

 

As a homeschooler, if a college on my kid's list required homeschoolers to take the GED, I would try to work with the admissions office to have that requirement waived.

[tex-mex]

What about Otis College of Art & Design in Los Angeles? I won a partial scholarship to that and it is a great school for a BFA.

 

http://www.otis.edu/admissions/undergraduate_admissions/how_to_apply_application_requirements.html

[creekland]

 

There is a real need for the GED; however, I would encourage any teenager NOT to go that route unless absolutely necessary.

 

:iagree:, but I agree with the latter part due to the negative connotation everyone else has mentioned. I do NOT believe the current GED is difficult for those who have done an average high school prep. It's actually rather easy IMO. It may be time consuming to acquire the knowledge one didn't get in high school, but it isn't difficult.

 

 

My niece told me that the test was getting harder to pass starting next year. I think this is a mistake. If my niece (who is quite intelligent) struggled to pass this less rigorous test, I can imagine that a harder test would not necessarily be an improvement on what they have now.

 

:iagree:

 

I do not see where making the test harder will be any sort of improvement. People/employers/colleges, etc, already know the level of achievement GED holders have and it's perfectly adequate for them to move on to the next step whether a job or college. Making it harder will only make more people have to stay in the lower educational tracks - NOT a good thing for someone who wants to improve.

 

The GED is not meant to be an alternative to high school for the high school aged student (homeschooling or otherwise). It is meant for someone who didn't (or couldn't) complete high school and wants to improve their education at a later age. It serves its purpose well as is IMO.

[lionfamily1999]

:iagree:, but I agree with the latter part due to the negative connotation everyone else has mentioned. I do NOT believe the current GED is difficult for those who have done an average high school prep. It's actually rather easy IMO. It may be time consuming to acquire the knowledge one didn't get in high school, but it isn't difficult.

 

 

 

:iagree:

 

I do not see where making the test harder will be any sort of improvement. People/employers/colleges, etc, already know the level of achievement GED holders have and it's perfectly adequate for them to move on to the next step whether a job or college. Making it harder will only make more people have to stay in the lower educational tracks - NOT a good thing for someone who wants to improve.

 

The GED is not meant to be an alternative to high school for the high school aged student (homeschooling or otherwise). It is meant for someone who didn't (or couldn't) complete high school and wants to improve their education at a later age. It serves its purpose well as is IMO.

I had not thought of it like that. Dh has his GED (hs drop out) and I always considered it an alternative to a regular diploma. When we started hsing, I assumed my dc would get their GEDs and cringed a little, because I know the stereotypes involved. The idea of making a diploma was new to me until dd started high school last year.

 

I never really thought of it as continuing education for adults. Thank you for the new perspective.

[creekland]

I never really thought of it as continuing education for adults. Thank you for the new perspective.

 

IME the value/connotation/whatever of a GED varies. If one is of school age or close to it, it's seen as a cop out from someone who wouldn't/couldn't hack high school (unless other circumstances come into play like medical issues). Then it's looked down upon as the "easy" way out. Employers will discriminate against it - esp in a poor economy.

 

BUT, take that same person and have them get their GED a couple years (or more) later and it's seen as a positive - someone who wasn't really focused as a teen (we all know it happens) and uses the school of hard knocks (or whatever) to realize/want the value of an education. Then it's looked at positively and is often a stepping stone for the next step - college somewhere or a better job. No one discriminates anymore and the positive work ethic that comes along with it can be an asset when applying to jobs or college entrance.

 

I don't know if it's that way everywhere, but it's all I've seen.

[mktkcb]

no help on the GED, but just thought I'd say that I live about 5 min away from Cal Arts :o).

[SkateLeft]

The GED is not meant to be an alternative to high school for the high school aged student (homeschooling or otherwise). It is meant for someone who didn't (or couldn't) complete high school and wants to improve their education at a later age.

 

:iagree:

 

In order to take the GED, a student can not have graduated from high school. (I've linked the official eligibility requirements.)

 

A legally homeschooled high school student who graduates from their homeschool is therefore precluded from taking the GED.

 

While I agree that the GED serves a purpose, there is no need for a homeschooled high school student to take it, unless they do not intend to graduate from their homeschool. Any college program that asks homeschoolers to take the GED does not understand the legality of homeschooling.

[lionfamily1999]

:iagree:

 

In order to take the GED, a student can not have graduated from high school. (I've linked the official eligibility requirements.)

 

A legally homeschooled high school student who graduates from their homeschool is therefore precluded from taking the GED.

 

While I agree that the GED serves a purpose, there is no need for a homeschooled high school student to take it, unless they do not intend to graduate from their homeschool. Any college program that asks homeschoolers to take the GED does not understand the legality of homeschooling.

 

Interesting, thanks :D

[newsong]

If you are a homeschooler in NY and want to attend a state cc or university you have two or three options, depending on school policy: 1) Secure a letter from the local super indicating your student has completed the equivalent of a public high school education or 2) Pass the GED test (after graduating from homeschool) or 3) Take college 24 credits in specifically selected subject areas that serve as the equivalent of a high school diploma.

 

The third option, as we found out, is not available at all schools. My dd has earned 18 credits through dual enrollment at a nearby SUNY school but that school does not offer the 24-credit option. Since we did not opt for a superintendent's letter, which meant we stopped school reporting after the year in which dd turned 16, she would have to take the GED upon graduation in order to matriculate and earn her AA at that school. (It wouldn't be necessary if she were just planning to transfer the credits elsewhere.) In addition, financial aid wouldn't be available there unless she matriculates. Another school an hour away does offer the 24-credit option, but that means a longer commute. The hope was to complete her AA locally and less expensively while living at home and then transfer to a 4-year school to complete a BA.

 

So, in her case, if she wants to complete her AA locally, she'll either graduate high school, take the GED and matriculate, or make the longer commute and utilize the 24-credit option.

Edited July 20, 2012 by newsong

[Jenny in Florida]

You don't NEED a GED any other place other than New york, which is another place I don't even want to visit.

 

I grew up and started college in California. Of course, this was a VERY long time ago, but at least in those days you didn't need a GED to attend community college. You also didn't need to be a high school graduate. In order to enroll at the community college, you had to be EITHER a high school graduate OR 18 years old.

 

I took the CHSPE and left high school at the end of the semester in which I turned 16 (the legal age to "drop out"). I started classes at the community college the following Monday. I then took my transcript from a year's worth of college courses and transferred to a four-year university.

 

I guess if your student has his or her heart set on enrolling as a freshman at a specific school, it might be necessary to jump through a few more hoops. But I doubt it's every a must to get a GED.

 

(And, by the way, I LOVE New York and would move there in a heartbeat if we could afford it!)