Covid-19 Forces School Closures

As a global pandemic necessitates school closures and social distancing, online learning takes center stage.

The inevitable spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, to the United States, has prompted state leaders to close schools, leaving at least half of all U.S. students in K-12 schools on a forced break for a month–or longer, as many states and cities have extended closures.

The Centers for Disease Control has issued guidance and recommendations for school leaders as confirmed cases of coronavirus spread across the nation and has noted that schools should plan for the possibility of extended closures and should put plans in place to disrupt learning as little as possible.

Suddenly, social media and networking platforms offered a flurry of resource- sharing, with educators posting ideas for everything from at-home math activities to fun STEM and art projects designed to keep children engaged while practicing social distancing. Districts scurried to assess students’ ability to learn at home, lending devices, or mobile hotspots–or both–to students in need.

Schools everywhere are pivoting in real time to create distance learning opportunities and to provide students, families, and caregivers the emotional and learning resources they need to keep kids engaged.“With our fully online capabilities and staff who can instantly work remotely, Smart Schools is one of the best places you can be to receive your high school education. We are here and available to continue providing tutoring, academic remediation/intervention, mentoring services, support IEP's and 504's, along with much more.” Says Jim Lee, founder and CEO of Smart Schools, a non-profit organization that educates middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults who haven't completed their high school diploma. As parents throughout the nation do their best to foster learning and wellbeing for their children, we all have a newfound appreciation for the pivotal role online education plays. Let’s carry this newly remembered insight forward into our post-COVID-19 world, remembering that students only thrive when teachers have the proper tools and resources. 

Almost all states and districts have already taken action. Among the earliest, Dr. Michelle Reid, superintendent of the Northshore School District in Washington, announced the decision to close all school sites beginning March 5 as district leaders monitor the situation and health department recommendations.

The district’s instructional staff worked with students and teachers to make sure they can use the district’s online learning platform, and the district has set up a site with classroom- to-cloud information to help students and parents/guardians. The district is loaning devices and internet hotspots to students without home access.

In Arizona, Gov. Doug Ducey closed K-12 school buildings for the rest of the year. Kansas, Gov. Laura Kelley did the same and convened a task force dedicated to creating plans for continuous learning.

The move to close schools for an undetermined period of time is unprecedented in recent decades, having major implications for education policy, and also sheds light on the persistent digital divide. For more information about online education and you can implement a digital platform in your school or district, contact Smart Schools. 

Why is a High School Diploma Better Than a GED?

There’s a general misconception that passing the General Education Development (GED) exam is the same or equivalent to earning a high school diploma. There is substantial evidence that this is the furthest thing from the truth. Statistics show that three-quarters of GED holders don’t make it through a career training program such as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Hair Stylists, or Commercial Truck Driving. 

In many cases the GED isn’t enough. The military and most employers prefer applicants with an actual high school diploma. In addition, statistics show the average GED-holder earns around $18,776 a year, and 95 percent of them will drop out of a four-year college program. Stephen Cameron and James Heckman, two economists, have found that earning a GED is the nearly the equivalent of dropping out of high school altogether.

“...The average GED-holder earns around $18,776 a year, and 95 percent of them will drop out of a four-year college program”

Those individuals who have completed their high school diploma will most likely be chosen for a job over those with a GED. There are a lot of negative perceptions that come with earning the GED instead of completing a high school diploma. Even the U.S. military, who developed the GED program, typically will accept those with a high a school diploma over those who passed the GED.

Its not a good replacement

Studies show that an equivalency exam cannot replace schooling. In most cases the GED can provide the prerequisite for some colleges and training programs, however, it rarely provides the learning foundation or discipline needed to succeed in these programs. 

There are many students that struggle with a traditional high school setting. It is common for counselors and others to push these students to get their GED.  If we know that the GED is nearly the equivalency of dropping out of high school altogether, shouldn’t alternative options to earning a high school diploma be considered? What about those students or adults who have already dropped out? Are they predisposed to failure?

How to get a high school diploma

If you think you can’t get your high school diploma when you’re older, you’re wrong. Smart Schools was created to provide the alternative option to passing the GED. This is particularly true for those that are just a few credits away from completing their high school requirements. Students can earn their high school diploma online from a fully accredited institution. This is great option for adults who dropped out of high school years ago or students who are leaving the traditional high school settings for multiple reasons. 

Completing a high school diploma is a major life step for everyone. Prove it to yourself that you can complete what you have started. Show employers you have self-discipline. Students that complete the Smart Schools program have gained a sense of achievement that can’t be provided by taking an equivalency exam, building  the foundation for success in their future college degree or vocational training program. 

A High School Diploma vs GED and Why It Matters

Since the U.S. military developed the GED exam after WWII, there has been two options for people looking to finish high school or prove the equivalency of knowledge. That poses a major question, what is the difference between the two? Many people might think there is no difference and the two terms are synonymous. At first glance they may seem similar but passing the GED and earning a high school diploma are not really perceived to be the same. 

General Education Development (GED)  

The GED, General Educational Development, also known as General Education Diploma, was developed as to be a quick alternative for those without a high school diploma. Individuals will study and take a series of 4 tests to certify their aptitude, knowledge and skills. These 4 test include: 

Subject

Reasoning Through Language Arts

Mathematical Reasoning

Science

Social Studies

Time Allowed

150 minutes (including a break)

115 minutes

90 minutes

70 minutes

When passed, individuals will receive a certification verifying that the test taker (American or Canadian) has met high-school academic levels in the four subject areas.

High School Diploma 

To earn a high school diploma, a student typically must pass grade-level English, mathematics, social studies, science and other classes such as foreign language, music, etc. The number of credits students must successfully complete varies by state and district. In many states they require students to pass an end of course test or high school exit exam to earn their diploma. Once completed successfully, students will receive a diploma symbolizing they have earned the proper amount of credits and have passed the required state exams. 

Conclusion

Most people understand what a high school diploma is. Once the student has completed four years of study, they will receive a diploma declaring that they have successfully passed all the required classes and exams. 

A GED is much different. Depending on who you talk to, the GED means different things. Some say it means General Education Diploma or Graduate Equivalency Degree. Although the technical term and definition is General Education Development exam. 

As mentioned above, the GED is a series of tests used to show if you have attained a high school level of education or not. In order to take the GED, the individual must be at least 16 years old and cannot be enrolled in high school. That individual must take the actual GED exam at a physical, certified location. It cannot be taken online. 

The number of people earning their GED has declined significantly over the past couple of years. Studies show roughly 248,000 people took the exam last year. At least 86,000 successfully earned a GED according to preliminary data from GED testing services. That is far below previous year’s numbers: 800,000 test takers and nearly 560,000 GED recipients. 

This is where Smart Schools can help. Students can earn their high school diploma online from a fully accredited online high school program. Smart Schools is an excellent option for students who are leaving the traditional high school for whichever reason, as well as adults who want to complete their high school diploma. This is particularly true for students who are just a few credits from completing their diploma requirements. 

As discussed above, there are many advantages to earning your high school diploma. By completing the work to earn the diploma, students gain knowledge and a sense of achievement that cannot be provided by just taking an exam. 

The Average Salary by Education Level 2019-2020

We have all experienced the challenges of trying to earn enough to meet financial goals and save for retirement. In this article we will dive into the average salary by education level to see the return on investment (ROI) of an education. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 88% of Americans had at least a high school diploma or GED in 2015. Thirty-three percent had a bachelor’s or more, and 12% had an advanced degree such as a master’s or professional degree, or a doctorate. To see what a difference education makes, check out the average salary by education level. 

Average Salary for Those Who Have Less Than High School Diploma

Studies show workers who have less than a high school diploma are the lowest paid workers. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average weekly earnings for those with less than a high school diploma is around $520. This equates to an annual income of $27,040 not including withholdings. The unemployment rate for these same individuals is 6.5%, which is the highest unemployment rate for any educational category.

The Average Salary for Those Who have a High School Diploma

Those with a high school diploma have a higher earning potential. The average weekly earnings for these with a high school diploma is around $712. This is an annual income of $37,024. The unemployment rate for these individuals is 4.6%

The Average Salary for Those Who Have Some College but No Degree

Even having some college will increase your earning potential compared to just a high school diploma. The average weekly earnings for these individuals with some college but no degree is $774. This is an annual income of $40,248. The unemployment rate for these individuals is 4%. However, there is a major caveat. The majority of these individual who have some college but no degree has student loan debt that must be paid back. This is an additional expense that will offset much of their increase in earnings. 

The Average Salary for Those Who Have an Undergraduate Degree

We will break this education level into two parts; an associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree. 

Earning your associate’s degree provides you with an advantage over those without a degree but not as much as earning a bachelor’s degree. The average weekly earnings for individuals with and associate’s degree is $836. This is an annual income of $43,472. The unemployment rate for these individuals is 3.4%.

Individuals who have earned a bachelors degree will be awarded an average weekly earnings of $1,173. This is an annual income of $60,996. The unemployment rate for these individuals is 2.5%

The Average Salary for Those Who Have a Master’s Degree

The average weekly earnings for those who have a master’s degree is $1,401. This is an annual income of $72,852. The unemployment rate for these individuals is 2.2%.

The Average Salary for Those Who Have a Doctorate or Professional Degree

Most people believe those with a doctorate would earn more than any other education group. This isn’t always the case. The average weekly salary for those who have a doctorate is $1,743. This is an annual income of $90,636. The unemployment rate for these individuals is 1.5%

However, for those who have earned a professional degree (professions such as a Juris Doctor (JD), Doctor of Education (EdD), Doctor of Medicine, and others) earn an average of $1,836 per week. This is an annual income of $95,472. The unemployment rate for these individuals is 1.5%

Data was pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)