There’s a misconception that passing the General Education Development (GED) exam and earning a high school diploma are the same thing. But they’re worlds apart. The average GED-holder earns only $18,776 a year, and 95 percent of them will drop out of four-year college programs. Three-quarters of GED holders don’t make it through a career training program. Most employers and the military prefer applicants with an actual high school diploma. To make it very clear how GEDs aren’t enough, two economists have found that, essentially, earning a GED is almost the same as dropping out of high school altogether.

Those with a high school diploma will usually be chosen for jobs over those with GEDs; the military will readily accept students with high school diplomas over GED holders, even though the U.S. military is the organization that developed the GED program during World War II. There are a lot of negative perceptions that come attached to GEDs.

Nothing can replace schooling – not even an equivalency exam. While earning a GED will provide the prerequisite for some colleges and training programs, it won’t provide the learning needed to succeed in those programs, or provide students with the discipline that comes from taking courses to meet requirements.

That leaves a lot of students who have struggled in a traditional high school setting with questions. If I can’t finish at my regular school, and a GED is almost as bad as dropping out, what do I do? It also leaves those who have already dropped out and planning to take the GED to enroll in a training program with concerns. What’s the point, if I’m predisposed to failing?

That’s where Sterling Academy can help. Students can earn their high school diplomas online in a fully accredited online high school program. This works for students who are leaving traditional high schools for whatever reason, as well as adults who want to finish high school.

It’s worth it to get a high school diploma, show employers self-discipline, and lay the foundation to succeed in a college degree or training program. By doing the work toward the diploma, students are gaining knowledge that helps them in their next programs and also prepares them to handle the demands of their next level of education. They also gain a sense of achievement that isn’t provided from just taking a test and getting a quick fix.