Nation Explains the Difference between GED and High School Diploma   by Harold Adams

in Education / Online Education    (submitted 2011-04-21)

General Education Diploma or GED is a set of tests to evaluate and certify that a person has highschool level academic skills. Sometimes, the GED is also called General Educational Development, General Equivalency Diploma, or Graduate Equivalency Degree. GED comprises of five test subjects:

• Language Arts: Writing
  
• Language Arts: Reading
  
• Mathematics
  
• Social Studies
  
• Science
  

The American Council on Education is the sole developer of GED. The tests are taken at adult learning centers such as colleges and universities. The fee for GED tests may vary from one State to another. There are also different policies in different States regarding fee and retaking of tests.

The GED was introduced near the end of Second World War to help veterans reintegrate into civilian life. Each state and region has different policies as to how to conduct the tests. At some locations, students must take all five tests on the same day. Other locations spread the testing process to two or more days.

Generally, people who did not have a chance to finish highschool diploma, take GED. These people think that a GED might help them secure those low paying jobs. GED is also taken by immigrants from South American countries to get jobs in America.

On the other hand, a High School Diploma is a certificate of completion of 12 years of education, not just five subjects. High School Diploma is given a preference in the job market anytime of the day. Most employers think of GED as "Good Enough Diploma" but not the actual good diploma. Employers, college /university admission departments, and even government agencies look down GED.

This does not mean that a GED is not useful at all. It is, but when compared to a high school diploma, GED is not exactly a High School Diploma. Nation High School is an online school that provides GED seekers a chance to get an actual school diploma in a similar way as a GED. Most people go for GED as they think that GED is the quicker option. Nation high school recognized the problem and with the help of their educational experts, designed a test that evaluates a test giver the same way as a GED, and on passing the test Nation awards the students an actual accredited High School Diploma.

A school diploma helps individuals to pursue an academic path for further learning, or excel into their professions in a respectful manner. Nation HighSchool aims to become the launch pad for the future leadership.

About the Author

Harold Adams is a student counselor, and career guidance provider at Nation High School.