To take traditional adult education classes, a GED candidate must find transportation to class, time away from home and work responsibilities, and child care to travel to school. A solution to this problem is online GED education. By taking online GED preparation courses, adults can more easily fit the GED into their lives. A good online study program allows a GED candidate to learn at their own pace, at times that fit into their busy schedule. Though traditional GED classes are at set times, online GED preparation is available to learners twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. When the kids have gone to bed, or in between jobs, most learners can find a half hour to an hour per day of study time.

One of the reasons online learning can be easily fit into a student’s life is that an online study program can be taken at home, so there’s no need for transportation. For one-car families, or families dependent on public transportation, studying at home is an enormous benefit. Travel time by bus or other public transportation is often much greater than by car, and adult education classes can be difficult to access. A good online GED preparation program is available instantly, through the Internet, via inexpensive net-books or other home computers.

The problem of child care is also greatly reduced through online GED preparation. Child care can be expensive and difficult to find. Though it’s important to have quiet time to study, while the children are in bed, studying, or playing, a GED candidate can study online without need to find a caretaker for the children.

Online GED preparation fits into the lives of adult learners who struggle with traditional adult education classes. More online preparation is an essential element of expanding GED outreach to adult learners with adult lives and responsibilities.

The GED is more than just a piece of paper on the way toward something else, though. In studying for the GED, it’s important to think of the GED as a stepping stone to college and to a better life. GED students can learn important skills that will help them in college or in the workplace, and by learning these skills, instead of just focusing on the GED test itself, studiers can earn their GED easier as well as prepare for what’s beyond.

To make the most of your GED experience, while you’re working on your GED, you should work on:

1) good study habits… things like making a study schedule and study space, and figuring out how best to spend your study time.

2) learning to be responsible for your own learning–to own what you know and judge what you’ve learned and what you haven’t.

3) thinking about how you learn best and learning study techniques.

4) developing reading, writing, math, and thinking skills… Learning basic skills is the essence of studying for the GED because these are the skills that the GED tests. Realizing that they’re essential skills for college and the workplace puts them in a new perspective.

The GED Academy focuses on teaching these skills in addition to just knowledge that’s on the GED, because they’re skills you need, but it’s not just about being “taught.” It’s about actively learning.

No matter how much GED preparation you get, college can be a tough transition. That’s why the GED Academy recommends community or junior colleges as a transitional step between the GED and 4-year colleges for most students. Community and junior colleges have a lot of support and extra classes for students who have been out of school for a while, and you can get your feet wet at the college level. Community colleges generally accept local residents who have a GED or high school diploma. Once you have community college grades, they will be what a 4-year transfer college looks at. However, if you wanted to go directly to a four-year college, you might need higher GED scores and have to meet other requirements, like SAT or ACT score requirements. The requirements are different at different colleges.

On the positive end, in a lot of ways, college isn’t like high school. Your teachers know you’re adults. And you and your classmates are there because you want to be. You’re working toward a career and a future that YOU envision for yourself. You’ve got more responsibility, and more control over your own curriculum. These factors can make college a very positive experience, once you make a commitment to succeed.

Fraudulent online GEDs and high school diplomas are a problem, and many states, government organizations, colleges, and educational institutions are taking action against frauds involving fake GEDs and degrees.

In Long Island, New York, Robert Collins offered fraudulent at-home GED tests, claiming falsely that these at-home tests awarded a GED. Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo prosecuted Collins, who must serve a jail sentence and pay restitution.

A Westland, Michigan woman who applied for financial aid for herself and others at several community colleges is facing charges of fraud for falsely reporting that she earned a GED and receiving thousands of dollars in financial aid.

Similarly, three former employees of Vatterot College in Kansas City, Missouri, were charged with 37 criminal counts, for conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Department of Education by applying for financial aid for students who had not received a GED or high school diploma. Only students who have received a GED or high school diploma are eligible for federal financial aid.

The GED is an important program for people who did not graduate high school and need better opportunities for the future. Fraudulent GEDs and false GED reporting are harmful to the educational system and to individuals seeking the knowledge and skills to succeed.

The star of ABC’s new show “The Forgotten,” where he plays an ex-cop who investigates unsolved cases of unidentified bodies, appeared as a guest on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in January, 2010 and discussed his GED. He has been working since he was nine years old, and was motivated to get his GED in order to show his children that education was important. After earning the GED, Slater began to work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation “Get Schooled” program, which grapples with the issue of high school dropouts in the U.S.

Over 39 million American adults don’t have a high school diploma or GED. Many of these adults dropped out of school to go to work or to care for their families. The changing economy makes it important for former dropouts to earn a GED, and perhaps even more important for their children to earn a high school diploma and go on to college. Education opens up more possibilities for the future, something every parent wants for their children.

Earning a GED can be a life-changing experience, for both parents and their children. Children who see their parents working on a GED often work harder in school and become more involved in learning. And parents who decide to get a GED as an example for their children often experience a new-found self-esteem and pride at earning a high school diploma, even after many years have passed.

The GED does not need to be difficult. Many people can pass the exam with a little bit of preparation, especially if instruction is targeted to their individual needs. The rewards for passing can go beyond just being eligible for more jobs and higher education, including intangible benefits for both GED earners and their families.

Judge Mathis grew up in the housing projects in Detroit. He was involved in gangs. He spent time in jail. How did he pull himself out? After learning that his mother had cancer, Mathis decided it was time to change the course of his life. He was offered probation, if he entered a GED program. He didn’t just stop at a GED, though. He went on to college and law school, and he became the youngest superior court judge ever to serve in Michigan. Did he stop there? No, he went on to have his own television court show.

With a GED, opportunities for job advancement or for new careers can open up. Many promising careers, like nursing, law enforcement, and hair stylish, require a high school degree or GED as a first step to career training. The armed forces also require a GED or high school diploma. High school graduates and GED earners make an average of $385,000 more in their lifetime than people without a GED or high school diploma, and going on to higher education or career training means even more earning potential. The GED is most lucrative when it’s a gateway to higher education at trade schools, community colleges, or universities. The average income for college graduates is $44,000, more than double the income of people who haven’t graduated high school, and 97% of colleges accept GED graduates.

Another highly respected GED graduate, ABC News anchor Peter Jennings, was an active sponsor of scholarships for GED recipients. When speaking at a GED scholarship ceremony in 2003, he said: “You are now so much more prepared to go off in search of America. … You have indelibly today taken a huge and magnificent step forward.” Are you ready to take that step forward and find the land of opportunity?

Earning a GED is not difficult. Most people can prepare in a few short months with online GED study programs. The GED exams cover the bare essentials from high school, the things that are most valuable for success in today’s job market. You don’t need to memorize a lot of facts and dates. The GED focuses on critical thinking skills: analyzing, making inferences, and applying concepts to new situations. With a little practice, you can quickly improve these valuable skills and earn a GED.

Income for adults without high school diplomas has dropped up to $8,000 over the past 20 years, while salaries for the college educated continue to rise. Education has become essential in today’s competitive, information-based job market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 80% of the fastest-growing jobs in the United States require some sort of education or training after high school. People without high school educations earn the least income and have the highest unemployment in the country, over 6%. The outlook doesn’t seem promising for the millions of adult Americans without high school diplomas. What are the options?

The good news is that adults without high school diplomas can earn more money if they develop the critical skills taught in high school and get a credential that shows it. A GED graduate earns on average $9,000 more each year, and much more if they go on to higher education. The GED is the nationally accepted equivalent of a high school diploma, qualifying recipients for many jobs and for 95% of colleges. If a GED graduate pursues higher education at one of those career or technical colleges, community colleges, or universities, his or her earnings potential can go up even more. College graduates earn $26,000 more per year than people without high school degrees. That can mean upwards of a million extra dollars over the course of a full career.

How can a working adult with responsibilities earn a GED or beyond? Many adults have jobs, spouses, and children. As much as GED candidates want to better their situations, they need to pay rent and care for their families. Luckily, preparing for the GED is not as hard as they may think. Adult education is available throughout the U.S., through community colleges, adult education centers, workplace programs, and traditional test-preparation booklets.

For adult learners, the Internet also provides new options for training and education. Many online study programs are designed to meet the specific needs of adults with full-time jobs and families. Learners can prepare for the GED at home or anywhere they have access to a computer, at their own pace. Technologically driven GED preparation programs can provide innovative, entertaining, multimedia programs that cater to students who did not learn well in a traditional school environment.

The Internet offers a solution to people who have been trapped, with the responsibilities of a home and family and a job, without opportunities to get ahead. Because of its flexibility, programs like The GED Academy’s online GED prep program give adults the ability to schedule their own study time and study at home, at their own speed, without worrying about transportation or babysitters.

Getting a GED is a second chance for millions of Americans, and the Internet is offering new inroads to better jobs, college, and higher self-esteem.

Employers have many questions about the GED. How does a GED compare to a high school diploma? What skills does the GED graduate possess? How do these skills interface with the job market?

The answers are surprising. A prospective employee with a GED has actually demonstrated skills higher than 40% of high school graduates–and they are the skills that employers value most.

The GED was established in 1942 and has evolved into a sophisticated set of five exams that require the candidate to demonstrate a high level of understanding and skill in mathematics, science, social studies, reading, and writing. The GED tests have gleaned the most important skills from the high school curriculum, those that will add value to any workplace: critical thinking, evaluation, making inferences, and problem solving.

Unfortunately, the standards for high school diplomas are not as clear cut. A job applicant with a high school diploma may or may not have mastered basic skills because the academic standards for high schools vary dramatically. The issue is further confused by the proliferation of fake diploma mills so that it is difficult for the employer to know if the job applicant actually attended a real high school.

With the GED there is no question of the quality of the applicant’s skills. An employer knows exactly what level of proficiency the GED graduate has achieved because the GED is a standardized test that measures a very specific set of skills and knowledge. There is no guesswork with the GED. A GED graduate has not only achieved a high degree of basic skills in essential areas such as math, reading, writing, and critical thinking, but he or she has also shown the perseverance and commitment to prepare for and complete a challenging eight-hour battery of exams.

Hiring a GED graduate assures the employer that the employee is in the top 60% of high school graduates in the skill areas that matter most.

In our modern society, we expect convenience and immediacy. Technology has made online banking, online classes, and online living a part of daily life. Many people looking for high school diplomas are asking: why isn’t there an online GED test?

Since 1942, more than 12 million adults have earned GED diplomas. Still, today there are over 39 million adults without a high school diploma, and the demand for a high school education is higher than ever. Because of this, there is a growing demand for the GED. Meanwhile, the Internet has given us many new options–online shopping, online gaming, and online classes. More and more people are asking: Can I take the GED online?

The GED test cannot be taken online or at home. “‘Why not? It’s just a test, isn’t it?’ is what students ask,” says Michael Ormsby, president of The GED Academy. The GED, he explains, is not really just a test. Passing the GED test is a significant accomplishment; GED certificate holders have higher skills than a third of high school graduates. The 95% of colleges and employers that accept and value the GED need to know that a GED credential is a substantial, meaningful achievement. The GED test is designed to be a valuable measure of basic skills in reading, writing, social studies, science and math as well as important skills in critical thinking, evaluation, and problem solving. To ensure the validity of these measurements, the GED is administered in a controlled environment by a proctor, where the identity of all test-takers can be checked. The careful design and administration of the GED test gives it value to employers, colleges, and ultimately test-takers.

Unfortunately, unscrupulous businesses are always ready to take advantage of people who are looking for an easy way to make up for not graduating high school. Online “high school” tests and schools are often worthless “diploma mills,” cheating customers out of $200 to $1,000 for a diploma that will be rejected by savvy employers and colleges.

A real GED can increase adults’ overall income by $350,000 over the course of their lifetimes, and if GED graduates go on to trade school, community college, or a university, their total lifetime income could be almost a million dollars higher. The value of the GED comes not just from a piece of paper but from having the measurable GED skills that are essential in today’s job market. For more information about GED online study programs, visit: www.passged.com

For more information:
http://www.passged.com/index.php
Contact: Michael@essentialed.org
Michael Ormsby
888-880-2164

By Michael Ormsby

With Internet information and access rising every day, it’s no surprise that students turn to their computers for education. The Internet itself is a remarkable learning solution — and a tremendous tool for homework, research and for adult learners who need resources to complete high school with a basic skills education that prepares them for the GED test.

While there’s a growing number of quality educational resources for students, there’s also an alarming number of bogus resources that sell fake high school diplomas or promise results that just can’t be delivered.

Unfortunately, services and certificates provided by “diploma factories” don’t come cheap. Most packages range from $200 to $1,000, and are offered by companies that seem professional, legitimate and advertise heavily. After paying “tuition” or high testing fees, students get a “high school diploma” but it’s drawn on a nonexistent or non-accredited high school. They soon discover — from their employer, an educator or an admissions department — that the diploma is worthless.

As a rule, the GED — or General Education Development credential — is the only alternative diploma for adults who never completed their high school education. Regardless of e-learning “high school” transcripts or fake diplomas, most employers, colleges, training programs and universities require a GED as proof of basic skills, knowledge and proficiency. In fact, approximately 95 percent of employers and 97 percent of US colleges and universities accept the GED. The GED credential is an official, accredited diploma.

When choosing an online study program, how can adult learners differentiate between a quality educational program and a “diploma factory?”

First, consider guidelines for GED programs and GED tests, developed and distributed by the American Council on Education (ACE). The ACE has strict guidelines; quality educational programs — both online and community-based — should blueprint skill requirements for all GED test areas: science, social studies, language arts reading and writing, and math — including algebra, geometry and data analysis. Any solution that doesn’t include or mirror ACE guidelines is suspect. Consider ACE, GED Testing Service requirements at www.gedtest.org.

And any program that promises quick results or a quick turnaround with a “diploma” earned in days or just weeks is probably bogus. The GED is a difficult test. Most students and adult learners need months to prepare.

Consider these other recommendations when choosing an online GED, adult education, high school or basic skills program:

• The GED test cannot be taken online, only at official test sites, and these test sites are established by each state. Avoid any company that claims to offer the official GED test online. Online testing is banned and testing sites are the only sites authorized to give official GED tests and issue test scores. For a listing of official test sites and state contacts, along with contacts for Canada, corrections institutions and the military, visit http://www.passGED.com/test_state.php#1

• GED practice tests are available online, but these are designed to alert the adult learner to readiness or skills that need to be sharpened. Practice tests are excellent prep tools. But know that a GED practice test is NOT the official GED test.

• Avoid any company or “school” that offers a diploma or transcript via an online test only. Consider that there’s no way to guarantee test results on tests offered without monitors — in a self-testing situation.

• The GED test is a timed 7.5-hour test. Be wary of any company that offers a shorter test version, or fails to provide information about the ACE’s requirements and official test sites or centers.

• If considering a “high school” learning solution, determine first if the school is accredited. State departments of education will know if the school is accredited, or can help you make the determination. State education offices, consumer affairs offices and attorney general offices may also know if complaints have been filed about a learning solutions or educational provider. Investigate the company before you pay.

• Explore resources carefully and cautiously. If an online company doesn’t provide enough information to determine program standards and the company’s qualifications to provide them, ask for the information. And be sure to check out referrals and confirm any information provided.

• Read the fine print. Know what you’re paying for and getting, long before you pay. Consider the value of your purchase … is it really valuable? Will it be an acceptable education and certification process for you? Is it acceptable to your employer, a job-training program or college admissions department? Will the online GED program or learning solution you choose really prepare you for the GED test?

• Explore the company or education provider’s message boards, online forums or learning communities. Explore user groups. What do other students and adult learners say about the program? Are there complaints, or reports of success? Is the company responsive to both? Does it even offer a place or means for users/students/adult learners are free to share thoughts and findings, successes and failures?

• If it’s difficult to make an accurate judgment or determine if an educational program is legitimate, ask for guidance before you buy. Contact a local GED program, GED instructor or GED class in your community. Or, contact your official test site administrator. Or, you may want to ask for the ACE’s help: http://www.acenet.edu

• Explore a variety of resources. Compare solutions, prices, services, programs and any promises. Again, company claims are often misleading. Read the fine print!

• Once choosing an online provider, if possible pay with a credit card (not a debit card). Most credit card companies offer consumer protections on purchases and can obtain refunds from companies selling bogus goods. If payment is made by other means, keep records.

In summary, consider recent current Google searches as an alert.

The term “fake GED” returned 293,000 results and the search term “fake high school diploma” netted 919,000 results. Based on those searches alone, that totals more than a million online resources. While some are news accounts of scams, and consumer alerts, consider how many among the million are seeking and competing for the investment you want to make in your education, and your future. And many of these alleged resources are companies and schools that often appear very professional and legitimate, but they’re really just diploma factories.

Choose your education wisely. Then share the news … promote good products and education providers. But likewise, share news and information about misleading products. File complaints about the scams. Good news travels fast, bad news travels faster. And your story could be the story to make the difference in someone’s education.