Spotlight on Education Which way to go - graduation or GED

By LINDA HALEY

Posted: November 25, 2009 at 6 a.m.

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ROGERS — Many students are tempted to drop out of school and get their GED instead of staying in school to get a diploma.

Although there are advantages to each one, when you do a cost-benefit analysis, the benefits are usually greater to stay in school to get a diploma.

One advantage is that a diploma will open more doors to you. You can go anywhere with a diploma you could go with a GED, plus some.

You can go to college with a GED or a diploma, but if you don’t finish college your opportunities will be more limited. You usually can’t go into the military with a GED.

Many businesses with entrylevel openings will only hire someone with a diploma.

They are looking for someone who can stay the course. A diploma is a clear indicator of someone who will finish what they start, complete a task, set a goal and reach it. The jobs that you can get with a diploma usually have a career track where you can advance on the job.

Another advantage of the diploma is the preparation.

The graduation track is designed to take you from one level to the next in a sequence that is a logical progression.

As you complete one course, credit or level you are readyfor the next one. If you stay on course the diploma is a natural culmination. Usually students who opt for their GED are facing challenging circumstances so they are behind in credits which mean they haven’t taken the courses, haven’t passed the courses or have lost credit in the courses due to attendance. As a result they are often poorly prepared to take the GED.

It is a graduate equivalent program, which means you have to have math and literacy skills equal to that of a 12th grader in a rigorous program.

They have to enroll in GED classes to prepare them for the test that can take as long as it would to get caught up by using accelerated credit recovery.

A final consideration is the context for getting the GED. The GED program was designed for adults who have not graduated from high school. It was not designed for teenage students. In order for teenagers to be admitted into the program they haveto pass a pre-test called the TABE as an indicator that they are capable of passing the GED in a reasonable amount of time. If they do not pass the pre-test they are not admitted into the program.

If they are admitted into the program, then they are held to adult standards of attendance and behavior. Usually students seeking the GED have had problems in the school setting that they take with them to the GED setting. If they miss too many days or misbehave they are removed from the program. They also have to have a release from their home school or be court ordered to even take the pretest.

Rogers Public Schools typically does not release a student to pursue the GED unless they would turn 19 before they graduate or their graduation would be 2 years later than that of their original class. For example, a 17-yearold with two credits would be a candidate for their GED since they couldn’t graduate until they were 19 or 20 years old. A 16-year-old would not be a candidate because he or she could easily get caught up to graduate with his or her graduating class or before he or she turns 19. Sometimes a release is given if there are extenuating circumstances thatmake graduation a remote or extremely difficult possibility. Patsy Roycroft, MCSW, coordinates the Rogers GED program. She can be reached at RHS (631-3576) if there are any questions concerning the GED process.

Rogers has several ways for students to get credit recovery. Students who have failed a class can take classes at Extended Day School to make up lost credit while attending their home school during the day. They can also make up credit on Nova Net. Last year special sessions using Nova Net were held during vacations such as Christmas and Spring Break.

Summer School sessions are also held for students who have lost credit. Students that are seriously age inappropriate, or have extenuating circumstances that impede their school progress, can apply to Crossroads, which has an accelerated credit recovery plan. Rogers has created many opportunities for students to continue their high school career so that very few students have to opt for a GED.

If someone is considering a GED, it would beneficial to visit with a school counselor to determine the best options.

Linda Haley, LPC, is the director of counseling for Rogers Public Schools.

SCHOOL NOTES

Hickman receives scholarship

Hannah Hickman of Rogers, the daughter of Randy and Sonya Hickman, has received a distinguished scholar award from Arkansas Tech University beginning with the fall 2010 semester.

She is a senior at Rogers Heritage High School and plans on majoring inphysical education.

She is on the National Honors Society, Honor Roll and All Academic Team, andwas awarded the Chamber of Commerce award, Iron Eagle award and Lady War Eagle award.

Scholars, Pages 9 on 11/25/2009

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