| For today's student, distance learning is a | | | | includes all the components necessary to prepare |
| worthwhile and affordable way to work toward a | | | | for the GED test. |
| GED, usually the most official way for an adult to | | | | Here are some guidelines for choosing a quality |
| demonstrate the skills of a high school graduate. | | | | learning solutions provider and avoiding bogus |
| But there are a growing number of companies | | | | schools or fake diploma scams: |
| and schools who aren't really in the business of | | | | - GED guidelines are established by the American |
| education. Instead, they're in the education | | | | Council on Education. Under the agency's rules, the |
| business -- their main business is selling quick and | | | | test covers science, social studies, language arts |
| easy programs or simple online tests, complete | | | | reading and writing, and math -- including algebra, |
| with worthless transcripts and fake diplomas. | | | | geometry and data analysis. Find a program that |
| There are exceptions. But as a rule most | | | | includes all testing areas; avoid any solution or |
| transcripts and diplomas ordered or obtained from | | | | school that doesn't include all test areas or |
| online high schools are useless. Unfortunately, | | | | information about test areas and the ACE's |
| students and adult learners are often and easily | | | | requirements. |
| misled by diploma factories or diploma mills. Many | | | | - GED practice tests are available online. These |
| of these companies and 'schools' appear to be | | | | tests are a good way for a student to determine |
| professional businesses or accredited educational | | | | skill strengths and weaknesses and to understand |
| institutions. So, when selecting online education, it's | | | | how the test works. But the actual GED test |
| smart to be cautious. Make sure the online learning | | | | cannot be taken online! The test is only given at |
| solution is a real solution, and will help you achieve | | | | official test sites. So avoid any company that |
| your goals. | | | | claims to offer the official GED test or a quick |
| First, it pays to understand how diploma factories | | | | version online. |
| work. Many adult learners fall victim to diploma | | | | - Read the fine print, before you pay -- make |
| scams, usually paying $200 to $800 in tuition, | | | | sure you understand what the company or school |
| testing, transcript or diploma fees. But because | | | | is offering and determine if it's worth the price. Is |
| the school or program isn't accredited, the diploma | | | | it a worthwhile learning process or just a fake |
| has no value. When it comes to employers, job | | | | diploma? Will it help you progress in your career |
| training programs, tech schools, community | | | | or education? Ask for advice if you're not sure. |
| colleges and universities, bogus diplomas are | | | | - Look for outside information about companies or |
| useless. And often, new 'graduates' don't learn | | | | schools. Discover what other teachers, students |
| that a diploma has no value until they're told by an | | | | and adult learners have experienced. Contact a |
| employer or a college admissions department. | | | | department of education. Explore GED and |
| In most cases, the GED -- the term for General | | | | education message boards, online forums or |
| Education Development credential -- is the official | | | | learning communities. Are there complaints, or |
| 'diploma' that's meaningful for adults who never | | | | reports of success? |
| completed their high school education. For today's | | | | - Be very cautious in dealing with any company or |
| 34 to 38 million adults in the US who never | | | | online high school that offers a diploma or |
| graduated from high school, passing the GED test | | | | transcript after passing a quick online test. The |
| is a pass key to both career and educational | | | | GED test is hard! The exam is a timed 7.5-hour |
| opportunities. That's because approximately 95 | | | | test. |
| percent of employers and even more US colleges | | | | Consider education as an important investment -- |
| and universities accept the GED. | | | | an investment you make in yourself and your |
| When choosing an education program, a student's | | | | future. Make sure your investment is a good one, |
| best bet is a GED solution, whether enrolling in a | | | | and gives you a return that's worthwhile. The |
| local GED class or using a self-guided online GED | | | | GED credential might be harder to get than a |
| program. If online learning or distance learning is | | | | $250 diploma, but you can sure count on it to |
| the solution you need, look for a program that | | | | take you to where you want to go. |