Ready to Finish Your High School Education? Try the GED Program

“A high school student drops out of school every 26 minutes.” This was the subject of a recent interview that I watch on TV. This statement was made by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. He was trying to raise public awareness concerning the high rate of students quitting school.

Listening to this interview brought back memories. I dropped out of high school not once, but twice. I remember the warnings from my teachers, and my parents. But I didn’t listen then, and today’s students are not listening either.

But with the state of today’s economy, and so many people out of work, I was surprised to hear that there is such a high rate of students dropping out of school.

There are a lot of reasons why students quit before finishing high school. In my case I was going to school during the day. Then working a full-time factory job at night. I was working next to adults who were raising families. And I was basically making the same amount of money that they were. I had a good job, what do I need a diploma for? But I was bored with school and just wanted out. My wife’s situation was different from mine. She got pregnant during high school and had to quit.

Seven years later, everything changed. One by one the factories closed and left town. The few that were left would only hire high school graduates. I was in trouble. By then I had a wife and four children, so I couldn’t go back to school. So I decided to get my GED credentials instead.

I have heard that some people refuse to try the program for fear of failing the tests. I was afraid of what would happen if I didn’t pass the tests. But looking back at it now, I really enjoyed the whole process. It was a big turn around for me. I wasn’t interested in school when I quit. And when I was ready to finish my high school education, I was glad that
the GED program was there.

If you have questions about the program, I’ll try to provide some answers based on my experience. GED stands for: General Equivalency Degree (or diploma). The program was first established in 1942. Since then more than 17 million have earned a GED diploma. To be eligible to enroll in the program you have to be at least 16 yrs old, and not currently attending school.

The first thing that you need to do is find out the nearest location in your area where you can enroll in the program. The first place to call would be your local high school. Another place you could call is your nearest Workforce Development Center.

When you call the GED testing center ask for the next available date to start the program. Be sure to write the information down on paper. Write down the date, the time to be there, and the cost. When I called to enroll, the classes had already started. I didn’t want to wait, so I went 15 miles to the next city and enrolled. That’s what I had to do.

To obtain your General Equivalency Diploma you must pass a group of five subject tests. When passed, this certifies that the taker has high school-level academic skills. The five subjects are:

Language Arts, Reading

Language Arts, Writing

Mathematics

Science

Social Studies

The study book for the tests was the size of a Chicago phone book; but very self-explanatory. So much so that I didn’t attend any of the classes to prepare to take the tests. I studied at home. Then I went and took each test, and passed each test. And I became the proud recipient of a General Equivalency Diploma.

The Importance Of Education Development

There are many professions requiring continued education in order to remain knowledgeable of the latest practices within the industry and to update certification. Due to the unpredictable nature of the modern economy, continuing education proves most beneficial aiding in job security and in assisting future clients. It is also a requirement for many professionals in order to keep licensing active.

There is the option to select courses that have been developed for continued learning once qualifications have been obtained. The aim of continued practice is to assist all professionals in remaining aware and informed of the ongoing changes in technology, work related resources and advancements in occupation. Such processes are essential as it aids in understanding ever changing laws pertaining to the industry preventing against the possibility of liability.

A number of different types of programs are available for specific occupations. For professions including medical, state licensing boards establish the continued educational requirements. Such outcomes may include attendance of seminars, courses and in ensuring that theory and practice meet with the standard requirements according to state laws.

Companies may also require that personnel progress with further training and development in order to remain informed of business programs. In many instances employers will allocate a budget for staff members to proceed with formal and quality learning. Online courses and subjects offered through accredited institutions are often sought for such purposes.

The ability to work towards continued educational development provides numerous opportunities and benefits for professionals as it validates their knowledge, skills and capabilities. Some of the occupations that are often required to continue with specified education developments include medical, architecture, engineering, electricians, teachers and health care specialists. Such procedures also provide individuals with the chance to network with others in the industry.

The demand for improving and advancing formal training and skills is on the rise as it allows for greater career options and the ability to make an occupational transition. Some of the major benefits include improved promotional opportunities, advancing knowledge, learning about new subjects and implementing the latest procedures to efficiently attend to client needs. It may serve to protect many during economic downturn.

The importance of professional continuing education allows for enhancement of skills, greater awareness of changes in occupational practice as well as regulations that are state related. It may prove difficult for those in full time employment to study. Therefore, online and part time resources are widely available. Development programs allow for seeking greater job opportunities with the necessary qualifications.

Some Bonuses of a Boarding School Education

If you’re a parent questioning whether it’s worth enrolling your child in a private boarding school, or if you are simply curious as to the benefits such an education could bring, read on.

Pastoral Care

At boarding schools pupils tend to form closer relationships with their teachers and tutors. This is especially true if teaching staff live on campus, in close proximity to the children.

Some teachers also take on the role of housemaster or housemistress, whose responsibility it is to look after the wellbeing of the pupils in their boarding houses. They may take charge of weekend activities, for example, be it cooking together or watching films in the evening.

It’s excellent for children and teenagers to get to know adults other than their parents and relatives. This teaches respect towards older generations, and an understanding of authority. It’s also very healthy to have real world adult role models, not just celebrities or fictional characters to look up to.

In a purely academic setting, students only see the teacher as a professional, whereas outside the classroom, they get to know them as an adult just like any other.

Independence

Living outside the family home from a young age better prepares children to enter the adult world as independent individuals. They inevitably learn to look after themselves without relying on adults to handle their tasks and chores for them.

It’s vital to give your children the freedom they deserve since you’ve trusted them to attend boarding school. This means limiting phone calls and emails, and letting them get on with their lives. They’ll appreciate the trust you put in them, and the rarer the phone calls, the more you’ll learn to appreciate the chance to catch up.

At boarding school, kids don’t have unlimited access to the television and computer, like many children do at home. This means they have to plan their own entertainment, and manage their time in line with homework and responsibilities without prompts from mum and dad.

Professional Guidance

Although professional guidance is available at most schools, at boarding schools this tends to be introduced quicker and can be more profound. Teachers and advisors are on hand to help pupils determine their interests, select study subjects and set out a career path, or at least lay the foundations for one.

Guidance schemes do differ between private schools in Scotland, England and elsewhere. If this is a very important feature for you, don’t hesitate to enquire during an open day or over the phone.

Some schools may assign an advisor to each pupil according to their academic interests, whilst others will have a single dedicated staff member to help your child make the best decisions to develop their skills.