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High school diploma.....suggestions for situation?

Locust ForkLocust Fork Member Posts: 32,087 ✭✭✭✭
edited June 2008 in General Discussion
Our last year of strife and misery led to a very bad school year for my oldest. She is doing very VERY well these days. The thing I am thinking of is along the lines of keeping her headed in a positive direction....and I only see the highschool as more problems. I am thinking of pulling her out of school and getting her into classes at the local Jr College. Maybe a GED...or I have heard she could earn her diploma by attending the classes and passing the tests they offer.

At the local school she is surrounded by morons and it will NEVER lead to any type of scholarships or further educational benefits. Its just a simple school in the backwoods small town we live in and they pretty much "herd the kids" through year after year (it was that way when I graduated in 1986 and is no better today.) She applied for classes at the technical school that would have been some benefit, but they did not accept her since they had so many aplicants.

I think she needs to get out of this school...and it is the ONLY high school in our area. Since she is very smart I think going onto the "next" level is do-able. High school is something that everyone looks at as wonderful fun years full of memories....but it isn't going in that direction for her. I have no experience with GED vs Diploma....anyone have input I should know before we try this?
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Comments

  • slipgateslipgate Member Posts: 12,741
    edited November -1
    1986! Woo Hoo! Me Too! Happy 40th this year!
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Put it this way. 1979 got my GED. That was after 5 years in The Marines. 1993 Got my Highschool Diploma. They look at the diploma as being better.

    But I also got my AA in General Studies in 1994. So was realy taking Classes.

    My reason for dropping out, school was just to boring. Had to learn at the slowest students level and my mind would wonder.

    But later it was just easy, cause I was taking enough classes to keep my mind going.

    But would say if she can maintain stay in school get that diploma from the school you spent the most time at.
  • dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000
    edited November -1
    A GED is a technical equivalent, not a moral one. Folks will notice it's not a high school diploma, and it will throw red flags up for her future. I would try to get her through school first.
  • Locust ForkLocust Fork Member Posts: 32,087 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    She is very very smart...and that is more of a problem than helping her in this school. She tests way above her level in all areas and always has. She was even asked to take the ACT in the 7th grade. She never once made an honest friend in all the years she has gone to this school. When she was younger she didn't get along with any of the other kids. She never went and spent the nite with girls...never brought anyone home....and when she got older (and turned into the "hottie" we have now) she seems to have no problem attracting the craziest of nut jobs around. (The latest "friend" came by while only my 12 yr old was home and stole almost ALL of Coral's clothes.) I just want her out of there. I think she will do well if I can just get her on the road to better.... I am very frustrated when I think about what our options are....and it seems that keeping her in this school will only be waisting these years.
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  • HollywoodHollywood Member Posts: 686 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would have to say the diploma would be more in her favor if she wants to go to college. If she is in High School already, Post Secondary Education might be an option. She could take college level courses that would count towards her High School credits. Kill two birds with one stone while enjoying the college experience.
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Is there a local college or Adult Night school anywhere close.

    That was what I did Adult night school at a local college at Camp Pendelton. Mira Costa College, Got my AA at Palomar Junior College in the same Area.

    By the time people get around to the Adult School they seem to be there to just learn, most of the games of normal School are gone.
  • Locust ForkLocust Fork Member Posts: 32,087 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Slipgate....Happy 40th!!! I was certain I would be 30-ish for at least another five years or so, but my eyesight gives me away. (I can't read anything without going over it two or three times these days.)



    We are looking into all of our options. I just found out that she isn't going to the vocational school next year (by letter) and it has "pushed" us toward these thoughts of what should we do to help her. It would be different if there were any good points to this school. The kids are not helped to make the most out of their talents....it is just a hair above a daycare really.

    I am looking into speaking with a councelor Monday at the college to see what they have to say.
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  • shoff14shoff14 Member Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    One thing that isn't told to students very much, or parents for that matter is that fact that you can go to high school while taking college courses and the high school has to pay for it.

    But you have to get a high school diploma, if she wants to go to college a high school diploma, specifically with college prep courses is very important. Whether or not she is going to go to a community college first or a major university.

    Technical certificates when you are that age are worthless in this day an age.

    You say that going to that HS will not get her college scholarships, and that right there is BS. College scholarships are based on two things, merit and need. If she does well in HS and scores well on the SAT or ACT (ACT for the midwest, SAT everywhere else) she can get some scholarships. Doing well would be at least a 23-24 or above on the ACT and 3.5/4.0 gpa in HS. She might not get into Brown or service academy, but it will get her money at any college private or instate public. Out of state public schools will not give many scholarships to out of state students. Private colleges like to see a merit student and will give money if its needed.

    The key thing is to get a HS diploma.
  • Jacob2008Jacob2008 Member Posts: 19,528 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sounds like she is just hanging out with the wrong "Crowd"

    Get her into a private school or something like that. My parents would never, EVER accept anything less than a high school diploma and (probably) at LEAST college basic education.

    Right now, Im thinking either railroad engineer, or an automotive mechanic. Maybe diesel mechanic, I dont know yet.

    GED is NOTHING near the same as a High School diploma. I was told at the thing we had at beginning of the year, that a GED basically tells potential employers you gave up on high-school. I say let her get her highschool diploma maybe in another school, if she is SMART she would find new friends, and not let them ruin the rest of her life.
  • matwormatwor Member Posts: 20,594
    edited November -1
    Keep her there to get the diploma, what is she gonna be, a senior (yes, Jacob, too old for ya[;)]), she'll mature alot more in the next coupla years as well. Don't be in too big of hurry to grow her up. My .02 the GED would be something to explain forever.
  • Jacob2008Jacob2008 Member Posts: 19,528 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by matwor
    Keep her there to get the diploma, what is she gonna be, a senior (yes, Jacob, too old for ya[;)]), she'll mature alot more in the next coupla years as well. Don't be in too big of hurry to grow her up. My .02 the GED would be something to explain forever.
    Not too old for me, no way no how!


    Not that i'd.. aw nevermind
  • scrumpyjackscrumpyjack Member Posts: 5,336 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If she can earn a bachelor's degree, a GED won't matter one bit. The 4 year piece of paper from an accredited college is all anyone will look at.

    A girl I went to school with did the same thing, one semester of senior year, got her GED, had 1300s on SAT, enrolled in college in January. She had a semester and a summer session on all of us by the time we started college. Saw her at the 15 year reunion and she was doing great. In general GED is looked down upon vs a diploma without any higher education.
  • matwormatwor Member Posts: 20,594
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Jacob2008
    quote:Originally posted by matwor
    Keep her there to get the diploma, what is she gonna be, a senior (yes, Jacob, too old for ya[;)]), she'll mature alot more in the next coupla years as well. Don't be in too big of hurry to grow her up. My .02 the GED would be something to explain forever.
    Not too old for me, no way no how!


    Not that i'd.. aw nevermind
    [;)][:D][;)][:D]
  • dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Locust Fork
    She is very very smart...and that is more of a problem than helping her in this school. She tests way above her level in all areas and always has. She was even asked to take the ACT in the 7th grade. She never once made an honest friend in all the years she has gone to this school. When she was younger she didn't get along with any of the other kids. She never went and spent the nite with girls...never brought anyone home....and when she got older (and turned into the "hottie" we have now) she seems to have no problem attracting the craziest of nut jobs around. (The latest "friend" came by while only my 12 yr old was home and stole almost ALL of Coral's clothes.) I just want her out of there. I think she will do well if I can just get her on the road to better.... I am very frustrated when I think about what our options are....and it seems that keeping her in this school will only be waisting these years.


    Sounds like she needs more than just a new school. Sounds like she needs a new enviroment and maybe some counseling.
  • shoff14shoff14 Member Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    BTW,

    I know what you mean by that type of HS. I didn't see it until I was in college and realized that I wasn't pushed at all in HS. I think it happens more often then not. The couple classes I was pushed in, the teacher was fired because his classes where too hard. Who got him fired you ask? Some parents. Little did they know they where holding their kids back.
  • scrumpyjackscrumpyjack Member Posts: 5,336 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:One thing that isn't told to students very much, or parents for that matter is that fact that you can go to high school while taking college courses and the high school has to pay for it.

    It wasn't always like that. I fought the first half of my senior year to have the district release me at noon to attend classes at a local university. My thinking was, "If you release kids after a half day so that they can go on 'work study' and learn to be a secretary or auto mechanic, then why can't I be released to start college. Those kids on work study "earned" the same diploma as me, minus the "* laude". We went to 2 school board meetings and then my stepmother made me stop. She was a teacher in the district and didn't want to get harassed if pushed it too far.

    I had taken all the AP classes offered and had enough credits to graduate in December, but the district required 8 credits of phys ed, 2 per school year. I had to stay until June to get my diploma. I think I had phys ed, helped teach AP Calculus & AP Comp Sci and the rest of my day was BS electives and study halls the last half of my senior year.
  • HighballHighball Member Posts: 15,755
    edited November -1
    I quit school in the first 6 weeks of the seventh grade. Injured in a football game, dad said no more football. So I said no more school.

    Got a GED when I was 25.

    Went to a Technical School for A&P mechanic. Needed 12-15 more hours for a Bachelors Degree ..wasn't interested.

    Worked for Cessna, Experimental 650, Wichita ..Falcon Jet..American Airlines.. nobody asked about my GED.
    Was offered a position as Supervisor at American..with a path upwards from there. Would have had to complete the Bachelors within a couple years ..rejected the idea.

    I don't play well with others.and higher management is ALL about kissin' az.

    I expect in some fields, that paper diploma is very important.
  • Locust ForkLocust Fork Member Posts: 32,087 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't think she has "problems"....just not in a place that is to her benefit. She could stay there, muddle through and take the next step in two years. I just don't know what is best....and I don't think there is a right or wrong that is the answer for ALL kids. She seems to do better in situations that are a bit more mature than her place in the world according to her age and station in life. I just don't know....I'm very frustrated thinking about it all.
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  • matwormatwor Member Posts: 20,594
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Highball
    I don't play well with others.

    [:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

    Nice to see ya.
  • shoff14shoff14 Member Posts: 11,994 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Locust,

    read my reply above, If you really want her to start college ahead of time, she can and they HAVE TO pay for it. As long as she is still enrolled in HS.
  • kimikimi Member Posts: 44,719 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The biggest mission that a kid has outside the home in their life is to become educated, and the crowning glory of this mission is to walk across the stage and receive a high school diploma. A GED cannot, in any way, shape, or form, replace one, two, or three years of the knowledge and discipline that is required to graduate from high school.

    This is not to say that folks who do not graduate do not become successful in their work careers, but it is to say that earning a high school diploma is a "huge" achievement and to "fallout" and not get it after after ten or eleven years of awful hard work seems the wrong thing to do. Earning that high school diploma is the one big mission that most all children face, before moving into the adult world. Once this is done, learning a trade or continuing with higher education in a successful manner will prove to be much easier. Just my 2 cents, but it reminds me of a quote that one of our GB members has posted in their profile, and that is:

    The difference between "Good" & "Great" is only an inch wide, but a Mile High!

    Good luck to you and your daughter on this LF.
    What's next?
  • rustyhrustyh Member Posts: 1,002 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Have you thought about home schooling?
  • IdahoboundIdahobound Member Posts: 20,587 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    As Chris rock calls it G.E.D Good Enough Diploma. Let her go for it. It is just a little paper that i have no idea where it is
  • kristovkristov Member Posts: 6,633
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by rustyh
    Have you thought about home schooling?


    In who's home [}:)]?
  • IdahoboundIdahobound Member Posts: 20,587 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by rustyh
    Have you thought about home schooling?


    Don't do it. It kills
  • slumlord44slumlord44 Member Posts: 3,702 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have just about been where you are. My youngest hated high school. Very intelligent girl. Public edccation in this country is broken and needs to be fixed. Do what you think is right and get her into college. My daughter took a lot of years to get her college diploma but worked full time and graduated with high honors. Got good job with police department she has been working at for 7 years. She is the intellegence analist for a major crime and gang unit. By the way she was also a loner in high school. I think a lot of these kids problem is they are smarter than there peers. Hang in there. Your kid can get past a lousy high school and reach success.
  • kristovkristov Member Posts: 6,633
    edited November -1
    So once this very very smart girl is removed from the horrors of high school, exactly how is she going to be spending her now considerable free time during the weekdays? "Studying" for the GED? Sure! I tend to picture afternoons spent driving around in her yellow Bimmer coupe with the top down and all that long blonde hair flowing in the wind. There is one big plus with high school: The school actually expects students to show up because they get paid for the kid filling the seat. If the kid happens to learn something it is an added bonus but have her miss enough days and you'll get phone call.
  • CaptplaidCaptplaid Member Posts: 20,298 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by shoff14
    One thing that isn't told to students very much, or parents for that matter is that fact that you can go to high school while taking college courses and the high school has to pay for it.

    But you have to get a high school diploma, if she wants to go to college a high school diploma, specifically with college prep courses is very important. Whether or not she is going to go to a community college first or a major university.

    Technical certificates when you are that age are worthless in this day an age.

    You say that going to that HS will not get her college scholarships, and that right there is BS. College scholarships are based on two things, merit and need. If she does well in HS and scores well on the SAT or ACT (ACT for the midwest, SAT everywhere else) she can get some scholarships. Doing well would be at least a 23-24 or above on the ACT and 3.5/4.0 gpa in HS. She might not get into Brown or service academy, but it will get her money at any college private or instate public. Out of state public schools will not give many scholarships to out of state students. Private colleges like to see a merit student and will give money if its needed.

    The key thing is to get a HS diploma.


    Actually, you don't need a HS degree or GED to attend an community college. Once a person gets an Associates, the state run universities, will admit the person. Loophole...at least in Illinois.
  • CaptplaidCaptplaid Member Posts: 20,298 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by kristov
    So once this very very smart girl is removed from the horrors of high school, exactly how is she going to be spending her now considerable free time during the weekdays? "Studying" for the GED? Sure! I tend to picture afternoons spent driving around in her yellow Bimmer coupe with the top down and all that long blonde hair flowing in the wind. There is one big plus with high school: The school actually expects students to show up because they get paid for the kid filling the seat. If the kid happens to learn something it is an added bonus but have her miss enough days and you'll get phone call.


    I've also seen a lot of community college dropouts who quit because they have no goals or vision. #1 reason they are there is because mommy and daddy said I had to go here. The parents hope and pray the child will find goals, a vision, and ambition on their own.
  • Locust ForkLocust Fork Member Posts: 32,087 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I wasn't saying that removing her from the "horrors of high school" was going to be the answer to all of our teen-angst-bi-polar days. Just that when I recieved the letter telling that she would not be able to take the classes that we wanted her in next year it made me think that the whole idea of staying in THAT school seems to be a waste of time. At least we can get her in classes that actually lead to something....and there is a diploma for some of these (its a lot like the GED, but you actually get a diploma.) She wouldn't be sitting around....far from it. I also wouldn't be "making her" do this. Its just an option rather than sitting around for the next two years. I will be giving her the choice to stay and finish like usual, go on to further things....but she will HAVE to be in school one way or the other.
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  • KodiakkKodiakk Member Posts: 5,582
    edited November -1
    I got a GED. It has been a problem several times.
  • Mk 19Mk 19 Member Posts: 8,170
    edited November -1
    LF, way back in the late 80's when I was having a similar problem as your daughter my parents did the bet thing they could for me, they put me into a private school. Yes it was 20 miles from our house and yes it was expensive, but it got me out of the group I was hanging around and it gave me a new start.
  • HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998
    edited November -1
    LF, My daughter was very advanced, took all the AP classes and literally ran out of meaningful classes that the decent HS had to offer about halfway through her Junior year at the HS. she got really bored with the "keep 'em busy with BS" stuff at HS. Then she signed up for "Running Start" program where she took half day classes at HS, then half day at local Community College...She earned her HS Graduation, but knocked down about a year's worth of College before she was finished with HS.

    She finished another year at the local Community college, then enlisted in the USAF, and now the USAF is paying her to finish College, and she is out and about. Lightened our financial burden considerably, and allowed her to explore. She seems happy, and is now considering where she wants her career to go from here. So, to recap, she was more in advance of her HS class than a year or so, got some College credits, then Joined the USAF, trained up, and is now about on schedule with her Graduating class, but is over a year on hwe own and in the USAF. Hopes to graduate from Undergrad studies about with her class, but will have already had a couple of years paid, and exploring the world at the same time.

    Might be an option for your Daughter to consider.
  • mlincolnmlincoln Member Posts: 5,039 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't worry: Pole Dancing University accepts either the GED or a standard high school diploma.
  • allen griggsallen griggs Member Posts: 35,702 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    LF: How old is your daughter, and what grade did she just complete?
  • paboogerpabooger Member Posts: 13,953
    edited November -1
    She has to deal with morons all her life, let her stay there and deal with it!!! She's not going to be able to run away from these types and situations in real life. It's all a learning experience!!

    It will be good experience for her and help her evolve into a respectable adult!

    She can still take college classes while attending HS!!

    Count your blessing she's in a small rural school and not a big city school!!!
  • bobskibobski Member Posts: 17,866 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    high school is a test. from day one to the last, its hard.
    when you get the diploma, it means you passed the test and no one questions what you went thru.
    to avoid the test sends a negative message.
    ged means you either didnt have what it took or you didnt like challenges, or...parents were protecting you and THEY decided whats best for you.

    lf...leave her in. if anything, put that gun money towards putting her in a PRIVATE high school and allow her to get a high school diploma around kids who WANT a diploma...with other parents willing to pay for it.[;)]

    bottom line...settle for nothing less than a h/s diploma.
    Retired Naval Aviation
    Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
    Former NSSA All American
    Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
    MO, CT, VA.
  • Queen of SwordsQueen of Swords Member Posts: 14,355
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by pabooger
    She has to deal with morons all her life, let her stay there and deal with it!!! She's not going to be able to run away from these types and situations in real life. It's all a learning experience!!

    It will be good experience for her and help her evolve into a respectable adult!

    She can still take college classes while attending HS!!

    Count your blessing she's in a small rural school and not a big city school!!!


    I was going to say the exact same thing. Scary, really...

    If she's bright, get her into those AP courses. My daughter has been taking AP English since ast year, and will be adding AP Spanish her junior and senior years. She may do better socially mixing with her intellectual peers whose focus is their education, rather than ones whose focus is the lastest "high school drama."
    Also, the single most important factor in any child's education is how the child perceves their parent's attitudes toward education. If you have a negative attitude toward the school district, how can you not expect your daughter to also not reat negatively, like she is "surrounded by morons" and not take it seriously?
  • Queen of SwordsQueen of Swords Member Posts: 14,355
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by rcrxs old lady
    quote:Originally posted by pabooger
    She has to deal with morons all her life, let her stay there and deal with it!!! She's not going to be able to run away from these types and situations in real life. It's all a learning experience!!

    It will be good experience for her and help her evolve into a respectable adult!

    She can still take college classes while attending HS!!

    Count your blessing she's in a small rural school and not a big city school!!!


    I was going to say the exact same thing. Scary, really...

    If she's bright, get her into those AP courses. My daughter has been taking AP English since last year, and will be adding AP Spanish her junior and senior years. She may do better socially mixing with her intellectual peers whose focus is their education, rather than ones whose focus is the lastest "high school drama."
    Also, the single most important factor in any child's education is how the child perceves their parent's attitudes toward education. If you have a negative attitude toward the school district, as you so plainly do, and have posted seveal examples, how can you not expect your daughter to also not react negatively, like she is "surrounded by morons" and not take it seriously?
  • KodiakkKodiakk Member Posts: 5,582
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by bobski

    ged means you either didnt have what it took or you didnt like challenges, or...parents were protecting you and THEY decided whats best for you.


    You're as full of poop as a christmas tree.

    Some kids don't have the luxury of parents that provided food, clothing, and even shelter. Some kids have had to work since they've been young to provide themselves with those things.
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