5 Reasons Why Homeschoolers Should Not Take the G.E.D.

You’re approaching graduation. You’re starting to think what comes next. Do homeschoolers get diplomas like public school students? Is it necessary for homeschoolers to take the G.E.D.?

It’s easy to think “I have 12 years of homeschooling to get them through to the end. I have all the time in the world.”

Twelve years seems an eternity away. It IS an eternity away—until it isn’t anymore. Twelve years quickly turns into 10, and 6, and 2 and then suddenly you’re looking up (way up!) at your 17-year-old and wondering where your little boy went and how it all flew so fast.

You begin to evaluate last year and start thinking about how to bring this school thing to a close. Sometimes this means contemplating having your child study for and take the state G.E.D. test.

In the past, a G.E.D. has been seen as both the “easy way out” of meeting high school graduation requirements and not as valuable as a high school diploma. Homeschooled students have the opportunity to graduate traditionally, so there is no reason to feel as if a G.E.D. is necessary.

5 Reasons Why Homeschoolers Should Not Take The G.E.D.

1. A G.E.D. cheapens the years you have put into homeschooling.

You have poured years into your child with the aim of providing a quality education. You have viewed the path your family has chosen as a viable alternative to traditional schooling. Don’t you think that is worth a real diploma? As long as your state allows for it, go the full distance, compile their transcript and grades and issue a diploma.

2. The G.E.D. test still has a stigma attached to it.

Like it or not, in some people’s minds, the G.E.D. is seen as a lesser completion of high school education. The most likely person to hold this opinion will be your child’s potential boss when interviewing your child for a job. This stigma may affect the boss’s decision whether or not to hire. Let’s not make it harder than it needs to be for our kids with autism.

3. The military views a G.E.D. as a quitter’s way out.

If a potential enlistee comes to a recruiting office with a G.E.D., they are told they need to complete a certain number of college-level credits prior to being accepted for enlistment. They want recruits who follow through and finish high school or are willing to invest more time to accrue college credits prior to enlisting. 

4. The G.E.D. cuts short the education they really need if taken prior to the end of their high school years.

A homeschool mom I know has a son who just wants to skip high school altogether and take his G.E.D. He’s only 14 and a 9th grader. Not only is he too young to take the G.E.D., but he would be missing out on valuable life lessons and instruction during those high school years. What 14-year-old thinks much beyond the here and now? Not many. That’s why they have parents. It’s our job to keep them from making decisions that will affect the rest of their lives.

5. Every state allows homeschoolers to graduate from home.

In every state we have lived in, Florida and Arizona, we are able to issue our own diploma. This means that a homeschool diploma is a valid certificate and should be accepted by employers, military and colleges. Visit the Coalition for Responsible Home Education for a summary of your state laws and then create a plan for your student to meet the criteria.