You might think that graduating from high school means getting a diploma after four years of hard work. But did you know that there are different types of high school diplomas? The most common type is the regular high school diploma, which requires students to pass all basic courses and earn credits in other subjects. Another well-known diploma is the General Educational Development (GED) certification, which involves passing tests in language arts, math, social studies, and science. Both the GED and a traditional high school diploma show that you've completed your secondary education, but there are some interesting differences between the two.
Types of High School Diplomas
Achieving a high school diploma is a major milestone in a student's educational journey, marking a significant turning point that requires dedication, effort, and focus. This valuable certificate opens up a world of opportunities, serving as a launchpad for students to embark on their chosen careers, pursue higher education, or even apply to international schools. With a variety of paths available, high school diplomas serve as a crucial stepping stone in shaping a student's academic future.
General Diploma
The general diploma is the most often occurring form of high school credential. The National Center for Education Statistics estimates that about 82% of American high school graduates obtained a general diploma in the 2019–2020 academic year. Along with electives of the student's choosing, this kind of diploma shows that a student has fulfilled the minimum criteria for high school graduation set by their state's department of education—at least three years of science, math, history, and English. Apart from these intellectual requirements, students must often pass standardized tests. To increase their competitiveness when seeking higher education programs, students are urged to finish community service hours, join a high school sports team, or engage in extracurricular activities.
Honors Diploma
An honors diploma shows that a student has performed excellently in their courses. Apart from the criteria of the general diploma, honors students have enrolled and passed advanced placement (AP) courses. Though each state has different graduation criteria for an honors student, they generally entail learning a foreign language and finishing four years of the other core courses while keeping an outstanding GPA.
An honors diploma is beneficial when seeking scholarships or a college since it emphasizes a student's academic success and dedication to challenging their course of study. To acquire this diploma, students might have to finish difficult courses, extracurricular activities, or a senior project.
Occupational Diploma
Students who finish a specialized, career-oriented curriculum receive an occupational diploma. Unlike a general diploma or an honors diploma, the occupational diploma is obtained by means of a curriculum emphasizing the acquisition of the skills required for workforce entrance. Students who want to work in a particular sector, like automotive technology, cosmetology, or culinary arts, should get an occupational diploma.
Occupational diplomas call for studies in English, math, science, and history in addition to coursework tailored to a career. Usually combining classroom instruction with hands-on training or internships, the courses provide a means of practical experience in their industry. Many professions in skilled trades allow an occupational diploma as evidence that the graduate possesses the knowledge to land entry-level employment in the industry. For those who know what they want to do professionally, this diploma is perfect since it lets them start working immediately instead of having to go after a bachelor's degree.
Certificate of Attendance
A certificate of attendance is a credential obtained by students unable to fulfill the requirements for a regular diploma due to any disability. Special education programs often issue this kind of diploma to their students.
The criteria for obtaining a certificate of attendance vary from student to student and mostly depend on the degree of functioning and academic ability of the student. Although the requirements are different from those of a conventional high school graduation, this diploma is meant to honor a student's academic successes and offer a certificate usable for employment or additional study.
Although a certificate of attendance is less popular or well-known than a conventional high school graduation, it still serves as a significant indicator of a student's diligence.
General Education Development Credential (GED)
Those who didn't finish high school get a General Education Development Credential (GED). Students who want a GED must enroll in a course and pass a state-approved test covering language arts, arithmetic, social studies, and science. The GED test evaluates a person's knowledge and aptitudes in these domains and decides if they match those of someone who finished a conventional high school program. The GED test runs $150 overall, and every section costs $37.50.
Most companies, colleges, and universities view the GED certificate as equivalent to a high school diploma; it can be applied for entry-level positions and college programs. The GED is granted in English and Spanish in the United States. It is also accessible to an incredible spectrum of people thanks to different forms, including braille, audio, and large print.
To gauge their degree of college readiness, many schools and universities mandate that GED graduates take the SAT or ACT college admission test.
High school diplomas and GED certificates both show that a student has fulfilled the required criteria and shown sufficient knowledge to pursue additional study or a career in their chosen sector.
GED vs High School Diploma
Usually involving four years of curriculum, a high school diploma is awarded to a student who attended and passed all the necessary courses in a traditional high school environment. Conversely, a GED indicates that a student has passed four high school equivalency tests, therefore proving their competence for the fundamental courses compared to a conventional high school graduate.
Notwithstanding these differences, in practice, the two certifications are rather similar. Both let students pursue a career, start a job, or go to college.
A regular diploma and a GED differ mainly in the time required to achieve them. While the GED is a seven-hour test, most can prepare for in less than a year, traditional high school students must finish four years of courses to graduate. For those who did not finish high school but wish for the same employment possibilities as a recent graduate, this makes the GED a popular, readily available choice.
How Our Tutoring Services Can Help
Navigating the different types of high school diplomas and preparing for the GED can be quite time-consuming. Each path has its own unique challenges and requirements. Whether you're striving for a traditional diploma, aiming for honors, pursuing an occupational diploma, or preparing for the GED, personalized support can greatly influence your success.
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