When You Graduate High School, Do You Get a GED?

As you prepare to walk across the stage and claim your high school diploma this spring, you‘re likely focused solely on celebrating your accomplishment. But have you ever wondered about that other high school credential—the GED? Do you receive one of those equivalency certificates too when you graduate?

To clarify the distinction once and for all, let’s compare traditional high school diplomas to General Education Development (GED) credentials.

A High School Diploma Recognizes Your Sustained Effort

First, remembering what a diploma signifies helps explain why it remains the gold standard for finishing high school. Rather than testing your skills at one moment in time, high school transcripts document years of attendance, credit completion, standardized test scores, and more.

They reflect your persistence through daily homework, lengthy research papers, tough math concepts, and stressful exam weeks. In 2018-19, over 3 million students demonstrated that sustained effort by graduating with diplomas from U.S. public and private high schools.

For colleges reviewing applications or employers hiring, a diploma proves you stuck through challenges to gain key skills like:

• Knowledge of English, math, science, history, and other core academics
• Ability to meet deadlines, follow detailed instructions, and manage workload
• Critical thinking and research capabilities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

No wonder 84% of employers recently surveyed by ACT require or prefer high school diploma holders when evaluating candidate education!

The GED Offers an Alternative Way to Showcase Academics

Now let’s discuss the role of the GED. First introduced in 1942 to assist veterans without high school degrees, the GED remains a recognized path to demonstrate core academic proficiencies through exam performance.

The test measures competencies similar to some high school requirements but evaluates them in a condensed, comprehensive set of subtests rather than through sustained demonstration over four years.

Nearly 500,000 U.S. adults sat for some portion of the GED in 2018 as a way to showcase knowledge equivalent to traditional high school completion. These individuals possess diverse backgrounds and motivations:

• Adults who previously dropped out of high school
• Those facing socioeconomic hardships limiting school access
• Students preferring alternative settings such as online education
• Public figures and leaders like Michelle Obama, Michael J. Fox, Jim Carrey, Ben Affleck, and 15% of U.S. college presidents who chose to pursue equivalency exams later to open up opportunities

The GED remains controversial, however, with some research indicating stronger college performance by traditional diploma earners compared to GED holders. Critics also theorize that offering an equivalency may unintentionally incentivize dropping out by providing an easier alternative exit route.

So in summary—the diploma and GED provide two different methods for demonstrating baseline high school-level proficiency. One rewards your sustained commitment through ongoing assessments while the other allows condensed exam-based showcasing of equivalent knowledge.

Why You Receive a Diploma Instead of GED at Graduation

As a successfully graduating high school senior, you put in the work over several years to earn each credit towards that diploma. So on graduation day, you receive the diploma to recognize completing that more rigorous, long-term demonstration of academic competency and college/career readiness.

Meanwhile, the GED offers a second chance route for those students who previously exited high school early without enough credits. Rather than retroactively earning diplomas, equivalency testing allows these individuals to prove their skills through an approved exam series.

So in short—graduates receive diplomas for fulfilling all high school requirements while GED earners utilize exams to showcase skills similar to a diploma holder. The credentials differentiate by evaluation approach more than content mastery.

Significant Perception Differences Between Diplomas and GEDs

Beyond just signaling academic capabilities, research shows employers and colleges consider high school diplomas more favorably than GED credentials, especially as competition increases for skilled jobs and postsecondary seats.

Let’s examine a few key perceptual differences:

Employer Perspectives

The Association for Career and Technical Education found 87% of employers consider high school graduates better prepared for careers while only 67% say the same of GED holders. Critics argue equivalency exams don’t evaluate career-readiness soft skills like communication, critical thinking, perseverance and reliability—traits proven by high school diploma completion.

So while GEDs open some doors, the preference appears strongly on the side of traditional diplomas when evaluating candidate education levels.

College Admissions Trends

Many U.S. colleges accept both diplomas and GEDs during admissions reviews but some still exhibit reluctance towards equivalency certificates. For example, elite schools like Harvard College and Stanford University require applicants to present traditional proof of high school graduation.

Additionally, some states like Wisconsin enable public universities to accept GEDs while still recommending diploma holders as better prepared academically. Students without diplomas may need to take extra remedial coursework to shore up perceived shortcomings compared to traditionally educated peers.

So we see the standard diploma provides a perception boost even when applying to schools accepting both completion paths.

Financial Aid Impacts

On the topic of higher education access, equivalency holders also face financial aid eligibility barriers with certain programs. For example, in Florida, GED recipients cannot obtain initial eligibility for state grants and scholarships including Bright Futures awards. Students must first complete an associate degree program before state aid applies to bachelor program pursual.

This state-based aid hurdle forces some aspiring GED holders to fund more education out-of-pocket before scholarships kick in. These policies incentivize sticking with diploma trajectories as the surer path to support.

So from negative employer biases to college remediation requirements and state financial aid hurdles, GEDs face ongoing perception challenges compared to standard diplomas. Graduation delivers not only proof of academics, but also avoids the biases still facing equivalency recognition.

Why Perception Gaps Matter

Beyond signaling colleges and hiring managers, understanding the perception gaps also provides personal motivation and societal benefits.

Research shows young adults achieving traditional milestones like high school graduation experience boosted wellbeing and economic outlooks. They also contribute more over a lifetime through increased tax payments, economic consumption and community involvement.

So earning that diploma delivers individual pride in completing an important rite of passage. It also lays the foundation for social mobility.

Seeking Solutions Through Education Reform

Perception issues have sparked ongoing education reform efforts to support both routes while also improving access and assistance.

For example, campaigns like Wendy’s “Graduate to Greatness” provide financial assistance and specialized curriculum to help more students stick with traditional diplomas. Other programs offer customized equivalency exam prep combining online and in-person support.

Many states now also allow dually earning diplomas and GEDs to mitigate bias against certificates alone. With 40 states participating, students can enroll concurrently in eligible high schools and adult education programs. They build traditional transcript credentials while also preparing for equivalency subtests.

And proposed federal legislation like the Accelerated Learning Act would standardize testing for college credit among high school students. This helps traditionally educated learners showcase knowledge depth beyond diploma requirements alone.

Ongoing reforms demonstrate the effort education leaders put towards elevating perceptions of diverse pathways while emphasizing the value of sustainably earned diplomas.

Key Takeaways: Earning vs. Testing Demonstrations of Academic Proficiency

In closing, let’s recap answers to the original question–do you get a GED when you graduate high school?

The short answer remains no. Graduating students collect hard-fought diplomas recognizing their successful high school journey while GEDs allow exam-based showcasing of skills for those unable to complete standard diplomas.

But as we discussed, the two credentials indicate more nuanced differences regarding demonstration methods over content mastery alone. Key takeaways include:

• Diplomas signify long term, multifaceted demonstration of skills through ongoing assessments of real learning over 4 years.
• GEDs utilize intense, time-limited sets of subtests to showcase retention of similar knowledge.
• Colleges often accept both but some public ones may still push remediation on equivalency holders.
• Employers usually consider standard diplomas a stronger signal especially amidst stiff competition for jobs.
• Financial aid and vulnerability to bias create incentive for traditional graduation route
• Reforms stress improving supports across diverse pathways to reduce perception gaps.

While your cap-tossing peers should all be collecting diplomas rather than GEDs at graduation, understanding more about equivalency exams dispels myths for those considering alternative routes later.

We applaud all educational achievements leading to college, career and life readiness. Use this guide to make informed choices towards your goals!