Last Tuesday we held MSC’s GED Graduation Celebration to honor the 21 graduates MSC has had so far this year. This has consistently been one of my favorite events and, in my 15 years of working at MSC, I have rarely missed a graduation. As a former public school teacher (with family members who also work in the public school system), I very much value and appreciate the work that goes into getting a high school diploma. Yet, I have also seen in my work here at MSC that it is not uncommon for even some of the brightest students to find that public schools are not the best fit for them due to factors such as medical or family issues.
There is often still a misconception that getting a GED is less work or easier than getting a diploma. Some GED students have long lived under the perception that because they did not get a diploma they are not smart. Yet, the GED is a very hard test to pass and this is even more true as a result of test revisions in 2014. In fact, in 2013, over 540,000 individuals in the U.S. received their GED. In 2014 after the test was revised, this number dropped to slightly over 86,000. Matt Collette, a reporter with the Daily Beast, wrote that he attempted to pass the GED and failed. This is a well respected journalist with a Master’s Degree from Columbia University
I am consistently inspired by our GED students. Not only are the tests academically challenging, but many of these students are also juggling jobs (sometimes more than one), being a parent, and/or addressing significant family or medical issues. Some of our GED students have experienced homelessness. Imagine trying to study for four very difficult tests when you have no idea where you will sleep that evening and/or where your next meal will come from.
If you know a GED graduate, congratulate them and let them know that you recognize the hard work that goes into this accomplishment. Doing so could be the push that they need to pursue further education. If you know someone who is getting a GED, please support them even if it is in the smallest of ways. Your encouragement might be the very thing that tips the scales for them in a positive way when they are feeling discouraged and/or intimidated by the challenges getting a GED can present.
