In today’s world, post-secondary education is vital to earn a higher-paying job. A high school diploma is required to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Yet, 7% of adults over the age of 25 in the District of Columbia lack a high school diploma. Many also lack basic reading skills or read at a very low level, making it difficult to complete tasks such as reading a website or submitting a job application.
Without a high school diploma, these residents earn $5,000 less annually than their peers who hold one, making their financial status more difficult to overcome in the face of societal barriers.
At Academy of Hope (AoH), our mission is to support adult learners in changing their lives and transforming their communities by offering FREE education that creates direct pathways to economic mobility. Over 1,000 graduates have received their high school diplomas through our General Education Development (GED) and National External Diploma Program (NEDP), sharpening their reading, writing, math, and computer skills.
GED
AoH helps learners ages 18+ earn a high school diploma by preparing them for the GED exam. The GED exam consists of four subject tests in social studies, math, science, and reading. Learners in the program work with a teacher in class or online to develop their critical thinking skills and knowledge in all four subject areas. Each subject test can be taken at a certified testing center when the student is ready. The learner can take one subject test at a time, as many times as needed.
Once the learner passes the test, they receive a credential that is recognized by most employers and universities in the United States and Canada as a high school diploma.
NEDP
Those 22+ can earn a high school diploma through NEDP at AoH. The NEDP uses life and work experiences to demonstrate high school-level skills. Learners complete the National External Diploma Program based on their own schedule by studying independently and working with an assessor. Learners can attempt to complete exam activities as many times as needed. This program is especially designed for self-directed adults who are familiar with computers.
Additionally, those who participate in GED or NEDP have the opportunity to dual-enroll in local college programs to earn college credits while working towards their high school diploma. Our College Navigator guides learners through the process of finding a college and enrolling in their courses.
How Do I Know Which Program is Right for Me?
Both the GED and NEDP are great options for earning a high school diploma. However, each program has different requirements and learning environments from the other.
The GED program is recommended for learners who may work best in a traditional classroom environment. While both online and in-person courses are available, classes follow a more structured curriculum to prepare learners for the various standardized tests in math, language arts, science, and social studies.
Learners who work best independently are encouraged to enroll in NEDP. The program is more self-directed and self-paced, and is recommended for mature adults with more life experience. Rather than taking standardized tests, NEDP learners work with their assessor to complete a portfolio that demonstrates high school equivalency skills.
Both programs require a pre-test: Core Academic Skills Assessment (CASAS). However, only NEDP requires a certain score to enroll in the program (236+ reading, 226+ math). NEDP learners must also show a comfort level with a computer, as their portfolio is created online.
Conclusion
Academy of Hope is dedicated to helping adult learners soar, improving over 8,000 learners’ language arts, math, and computer skills. Mastering these skills and earning a high school diploma opens doors for learners to enroll in post-secondary education, pursue higher-income careers, and make a positive impact in their community.
Want to transform your life through GED or NEDP? Click HERE to enroll today.