High School Equivalency Certificate...or Diploma?

Colleagues,

Many years ago in Massachusetts the Department of Education decided to refer to the GED® credential as a diploma, not a certificate. Now, in Washington D.C., the State Board of Education "recently directed the State Superintendent of Education to draft regulations that would award high school diplomas to GED graduates"  http://greatergreaterwashington.org/tag/adult+education/

In your state, do High School Equivalency exam(s) passers get a certificate, or a diploma? Do those who pass the National External Diploma program get a diploma?

David J. Rosen

Moderator, Program Management CoP

djrosen123@gmail.com

Comments

From my list of GED-offering states, these appear to be the ones offering some type of high school diploma vs certificate for passing the Test. I can't speak to the NEDP, etc.

AR, CT, FL, HI, KS, KY, MD, NE, NJ, NM, OK   A few (by my count 4) others that offer something with Diploma in the name, but includes additional qualifiers (high school equivalency, diploma by examination).

The National External Diploma Program (NEDP) is a competency-based, applied performance assessment system that allows adults and out-of-school youth to demonstrate their abilities in a series of simulations that parallel job and life situations. The performance tasks align with the College and Career Readiness Standards for high school exit level and preparation for success in college and careers. Utilizing the web-based system, participants are evaluated against a criterion of excellence instead of by comparison to others, take responsibility for their own learning by using existing resources, and achieve mastery of all required competencies, plus a college and career competency. Because it is self-directed, the NEDP develops self-efficacy skills that are needed for ongoing success in career pathways.

NEDP is currently provided in the following states: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Indiana, Maryland, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington. In Maryland the NEDP is a state-issued diploma whereas the other states approve locally-issued diplomas. However, two states are presently seeking approval for the NEDP to become state-issued.

More information about NEDP can be found at https://www.casas.org/nedp. Specific questions may be directed to nedp@casas.org

In Pennsylvania we can offer a diploma. Our local high school has a special program called "Project Succeed" which offers adults a GED. After completing the program the adult student receives a diploma.

The state dept of ed offers high school diplomas without qualifying language to those who pass any of the 3 accepted tests: GED, Hi-SET or TASC.

Hello colleagues,   While the list below may not be complete, it is clear that a substantial number  of states (17 including the District of Columbia) offer some kind of adult diploma.  If your state is not listed but should be, please reply with a description of the diploma your state offers.   David J. Rosen, Moderator LINCS CoP Program Management group   ================================ States Offering High School Diploma Options for Adults   Arizona  On December 4, 2017, the Arizona State Board of Education approved the College Credit Pathway as a new option for adults seeking to obtain their High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma in Arizona. Effective July 1, 2018, adults can earn their HSE Diploma by demonstrating completion of 25 specific college credits. The GED Testing pathway to a HSE Diploma will continue to be available as an option.. For more information, http://www.azed.gov/adultedservices/alternate-pathway/   Connecticut  See NEDP note below.   District of Columbia  See NEDP note below.   Illinois  http://www.rrstar.com/news/20170627/legislation-could-allow-more-adults-to-earn-high-school-diploma On June 27th 2017, legislation that would allow adult learning education centers to issue high school diplomas passed both houses. “House Bill 2527 allows adults who have “aged out” of the traditional K-12 public school system (21 or older) to obtain a high school diploma as opposed to an equivalency certificate, such as a General Equivalency Development, or GED, certificate.”  The bill does not require additional state tax dollars. Funds come from private donations or other sources. The bill synopsis: “Authorizes eligible applicants (defined as a non-profit entity in partnership with a regional superintendent of schools, the chief administrator of an intermediate service center that has the authority to issue a high school diploma, or the Chicago school district) to design a high school diploma program for adult learners. Requires eligible applicants to apply for approval of a program to the State Superintendent of Education. Sets forth other requirements. Effective immediately”.  http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocTypeID=HB&DocNum=2527&GAID=14&SessionID=91&LegID=103705   Indiana  Achieve Virtual is an Online adult high school diploma program http://achievevirtual.org/students/adult-learners/  Also see NEDP note below.   Iowa  According to this National Skills Coalition blog article, Iowa law expands high school equivalency diploma options for students, a new Iowa law passed in April, 2017, “expands pathways to achieving a high school equivalency diploma beyond the traditional assessment tests. In particular, it empowers the state board of education to develop rules for competency-based assessment of individuals’ skills….An impetus for the legislation was the recognition that many Iowans lack the skills and credentials that will enable them to meet the state’s demand for middle-skilled workers.” Ac\cording to the blog article, students can now gain a high school equivalency through programs like the adult diploma at Iowa community college, that combine prior high school coursework with secondary or postsecondary education courses.   Maryland  See NEDP note below.   Minnesota  “The 2014 Minnesota Legislature approved a third secondary credential option for adults: a state standard adult high school diploma. This new state adult high school diploma is competency-based and is completed through participation in an approved Minnesota Adult Basic Education program. Completion of the program is recognized by the state with a diploma awarded by the Minnesota Department of Education.” http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/dse/abe/dip/   Missouri  Missouri soon could have four schools for adults seeking to get their high school diplomas. Under a new state law, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will get the power to authorize a nonprofit that would start the schools for residents over 21.One of the schools would be situated in St. Louis. Others would be in or near Butler, Greene and Boone counties. The goal of the program is to give adults an opportunity to receive a diploma, rather than a high school equivalency certificate. During debate on the measure by Missouri lawmakers this year, supporters said they believed employers were more favorable to job candidates who had diplomas. The schools would offer job training programs, industry certification and on-site child care. The plan would allow the state to select a nonprofit to run the schools. The organization would have to invest $2 million of its own funds for facilities. http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/missouri-creating-high-schools-for-adults/article_05f1e928-997a-5717-ab09-f9d7399e20f8.html   Hew Jersey “The state dept of ed offers high school diplomas without qualifying language to those who pass any of the 3 accepted tests: GED, Hi-SET or TASC. “ Jane Kelly posted to https://community.lincs.ed.gov/comment/14173#comment-14173   New York  See NEDP note below.   Ohio   1) Adult Diploma The Adult Diploma Program provides job training and a new pathway for adults, ages 22 or older, to earn a high school diploma AND industry credentials aligned to one of Ohio’s in-demand jobs. Learn More The Adult Diploma Program provides job training and a new pathway for adults, ages 22 or older, to earn a high school diploma AND industry credentials aligned to one of Ohio’s in-demand jobs. What makes this program different from a traditional high school setting is the delivery of instruction to adults. Instead of measuring academic achievement through clock hours, seat time or credits earned, the focus is on a competency-based approach that provides a self-paced option. Once competencies have been learned, adults then demonstrate mastery of skill. Each eligible adult works with the provider to create a customized student success plan.   2) Adult 22+ High School Diploma Program The 22+ Adult HSD Program helps adults earn a high school diploma. The program is free to adults who are over 22 years old, living in Ohio and do not have a diploma or a GED ® .   Learn More The 22+ Adult HSD Program helps adults earn a high school diploma. The program is free to adults who are over 22 years old, living in Ohio and do not have a diploma or a GED. Counselors work with the adult learners to develop individual plans to identify the courses and assessments needed to graduate and earn a diploma. Providers try their best to schedule instructional dates and times to meet the needs of adult learners.  http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Testing/Ohio-Options-for-Adult-Diploma   Pennsylvania  “In Pennsylvania we can offer a diploma. Our local high school has a special program called "Project Succeed" which offers adults a GED. After completing the program the adult student receives a diploma.”  Joanne Borgesi  posted to https://community.lincs.ed.gov/comment/14172#comment-14172   Rhode Island  See NEDP note below.   Virginia  See NEDP note below.   Washington  See NEDP note below.   Wisconsin  PI 5.09 High school equivalency diploma based on completion of a program approved by the state superintendent, the Wisconsin state policy on adult diploma program: http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/pi/5/09   NOTES The National External Diploma Program (NEDP) is a competency-based, applied performance assessment system that allows adults and out-of-school youth to demonstrate their abilities in a series of simulations that parallel job and life situations. The performance tasks align with the College and Career Readiness Standards for high school exit level and preparation for success in college and careers. Utilizing the web-based system, participants are evaluated against a criterion of excellence instead of by comparison to others, take responsibility for their own learning by using existing resources, and achieve mastery of all required competencies, plus a college and career competency. Because it is self-directed, the NEDP develops self-efficacy skills that are needed for ongoing success in career pathways. NEDP is currently provided in the following states: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Indiana, Maryland, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington. In Maryland the NEDP is a state-issued diploma whereas the other states approve locally-issued diplomas. However, two states are presently seeking approval for the NEDP to become state-issued.   More information about NEDP can be found at https://www.casas.org/nedp. Specific questions may be directed to nedp@casas.org From https://community.lincs.ed.gov/comment/14187#comment-14187

 

Utah was not included in this list.  Utah offers a High School Completion Diploma to all students who complete the GED.  We also offer a credit based high school diploma for all adults.  The credit based diploma allows students to receive some credit for work experience and is very similar to the high school diplomas offered across the state (minus a few electives).  Many of our Adult Education programs focus on helping students earn their credit based diploma with options available for those who are attempting to pass their GED.

HSCP allows Vermont residents to carve out their own path to high school graduation by creating a Personalized Graduation Plan that meets state graduation requirements as well as student goals.

Students 16 and older create a plan in partnership with the local adult education provider, with approval from a local high school. Starting with a high school transcript as a baseline, students can integrate courses, workshops, internships, projects as well as paid employment into a graduation plan based on a student's individual skills, needs and goals. Students can even take college courses for free while pursing their high school diploma. The result… a high school diploma from a local area high school!