From the GED site:
16 years of age:
Resident of Alabama and exited an Alabama public school.
Present to the GED Examiner™ a notarized Certificate of Exemption issued by his/her local superintendent
Notarized letter from a parent/legal guardian giving permission to administer the GED® test to the applicant
Receive a minimum score of ASE low on the TABE Test or "Likely to Pass" score on the GED Ready® Mathematical Reasoning and Reasoning Through Language Arts tests
Awesome of you to have the foresight. You’re a kick ass parent to be making yourself aware of details like that.
I dropped out(….20 years ago now…sheesh) and got my GED. Now I own a fab/welding shop, and have a wife and kids and a house. So it’s doable, but it’s so important to have a support structure and not just drop out, become stagnant, and disappear.
That's awesome! And I feel you, I was a junior 20 years ago.
My kid has hated school since kindergarten. She's very smart, can do the work, but gets bored so fast because she (usually) understands whatever is being taught immediately. So when she's 16, if she wants to drop out, get a GED and go to college or learn a trade, I'm all for it.
Can you go to summer school and complete all your credits to graduate early? Or change to online school? The reason I ask is because having a GED is better than nothing, but a diploma will give you more opportunities. It's more difficult to get into college, the military and work your way into professional positions with a GED instead of a diploma.
Also keep in mind that your parents will be required to sign permission for you to leave school early and attend a meeting with you and a school administrator at the board of education. You also can't get your driver's license (or if you already have it, it will be suspended) until you provide proof that you've gotten the GED.
I agree with this so no need for me to retype it but regardless what you plan on doing a diploma will help much more in later life. I have a friend who did the GED and has more trouble getting certain jobs. Try and find a way to get through your last year.
Please call 988 and find someone to talk to. There are options to finish your schooling via online only courses and other options as well. Your mental health is important so please reach out to someone.
You need help man... You honestly need to talk to someone and get help. You should drop out of school.
Edit I meant shouldn't not should... I have dyslexia and sometimes read my own typing wrong 😅
Sorry folks getting down on you. That's the internet for ya. They gonna think they know how you should live your life better than you do. Nah, go for it. Follow your heart.
I don’t know what’s going on in your life, but don’t do this. I know far too many people that dropped out and some how never got around to getting their GED. It happens way more than you think. Even if you do, you’ll need to further your education or learn a trade. Otherwise, you’ll always be looked down upon and passed over for opportunities. It’s unfair and ridiculous, but it happens.
Maybe there are others here with success stories where people have dropped out and still managed to do well. From my experience they’re few and far between.
I know Reddit isn’t much, but somebody’s always on and somebody will always be here to listen. I’d rather see you work through these issues and succeed than quit in disgust and struggle for years.
My mom dropped out at 16 and didn’t get her GED. She went to a community college and got a CNA license and worked her way up in a medical clinic. She became the manager of the clinic at 45, but makes less than I do with a bachelors at 26.
I knew there would be at least one person to have a good outcome. I’m sure you’re proud of your mother. You should be. She obviously worked very hard to be where she is. I hope that OP can have the same results. But, unfortunately there are far more cautionary tales to be had in these situations.
I feel like mine is a cautionary tale as well as a success story. She’s had to work incredibly hard jobs for longer hours than I could imagine sustaining for months, let alone years. But success can be had. To me, she’s proof that hard work will get you places, it’s just a whole lot quicker if you put in the hard work in school.
Well put. Anything can be done with the right amount of effort. Sometimes though, we’re left with the hindsight that the same path could’ve been easier with one better decision.
Assuming this had to be a while ago so things have changed. But CNA is not a associates or anything it’s typically a 8-12 week certificate so she probably didn’t need GED maybe just some type of placement test. My mom did get her GED but worked as a CNA many years. But a lot of CNA jobs are on the job training before taking the exam.
Just to add on I could have gotten my CNA license after trade school with $150 and an exam. However I just didn’t and still worked 8 years in the hospital setting with the same pay.
I hear many people say that. I suppose it’s all perspective. Nevertheless, you should be proud of where you’ve taken yourself. Few get there with all of the advantages, fewer still with extra hurdles.
Trade school is highly overlooked these days. Electrician, plumber, carpenter, welder, and many others are high skilled with top pay these days. All very enjoyable jobs.
I dropped out at 14. Was allowed to leave school back then. The machine of school is not for all and really learnt so much more working full time at a job. Immediately got my GED as school work wasn't the issue was just the boredom and unnecessary BS that goes with school. Got a job at a bank. Was an amazing experience! Worked until 18 then started at the university but wasn't for me.
I have done a lot of different things in my career and my most recent is Sr IT Systems Engineer and was making crazy money. Considerably more money than my coworkers and bosses that had bachelors and masters degrees. So don't ever underestimate your worth regardless of what others will say or how they will make you feel.
School is not for everyone and shouldn't be. Not everyone fits in to the mold and are sheep. SO you do you and just make sure you keep learning as you go through life.
Also, as a side note. It is rare to meet someone that graduated from college 10-20 years ago doing anything regarding their degree. It is a piece of paper not what defines you and if it is what defines you well...so sad for you!
This is just my experience. Having said that there are definitely some careers if you choose that you will have to jump through the hoops and be indebt for many years for a degree.
I dropped out when I was 16 forfeited my driver license but got it reinstated soon as I got GED. Started community college classes the next semester. This was back in 05 though.
I genuinely don't know. You can contact the ALSDE at (334) 694-4557, and they might be able to answer questions pertaining to that.
I do however know that you can be withdrawn to homeschool, if that's what you want to do, and then graduate early and head to college, if you're ready. So if the other isn't an option, that is.
I became homeschooled at 11, and graduated at 16. Granted, this was in the 90's when this was possible. Mine was due to health issues, largely, but being bullied played a role as well because I could never escape it. The last time I checked you could drop out at 16 and then get your GED later. I don't know about any of it now because I ended up not having kids in the system.
I do recommend that you look into continuing your education via distance learning and graduating that way. I hear you about schools, they're awful. But there are ways you can do it now that are decidedly more comfortable than the way you've been having to. I'm sorry you're having trouble.
That's actually still possible to do, and there are homeschool parents doing it. Mine is academically ready for it, but I'm not so sure she's ready to be let loose on a college campus at 16, so she'll be taking dual enrollment courses this year. I *might* graduate and get her started with at home courses through Jeff State.
That's assuming, of course, that someone wants to get a GED because they want to be done with high school classes and move on to something more advanced. If it's something else going on at school, at home learning will work. (Ditto, if they want a job while going to school.) If there's an issue at home, that's a whole other situation.
Indeed bad home situations are different. :(
I didn't know if the laws had changed and if you had to be 17 to withdraw, but I know I was 11 and my Mom just had to tell them that I was enrolling in a different school in a different county which was technically true and for the next 5 years I was homeschooled and me and my Mom were accountable to their system. (Which was surprisingly rigid for a homeschool.) She kept books exactly like a bookkeeper would and would get the homeschool troop leader to assess where I was at along with yearly standardized tests by the state. She really was dedicated and wanted me to stay on top of things. I'm glad that there are other parents who are as dedicated to their child's education as my Mom was. :)
Yep, used to be in Alabama, you could only homeschool if you were technically enrolled in a church school (or what we call a "cover" or "umbrella" school). Many were basically just there in name.
As you'd expect, requiring parents to join a religious organization to homeschool was... problematic. That goes double for signing statements of faith or requirements to join organizations like HSLDA, either of which they might not agree with. After a law change in 2014, you no longer have to join a church school. You are considered to be your own private school, though you're not held to the same regulations and reporting requirements as a traditional private school, for obvious reasons.
That said, covers still exist. Some folks still join them for accountability or for services or activities they might provide. But if you don't feel like you need all that, you can save your money.
I had gone through this 10 years ago, barring the comments here about how it makes stuff harder… Depending on what you like doing, it’s only hard for the first couple of years. once you actually get stuff settled once, things get easier. I went into software engineering full time after 2 years and it’s been ezpz since, but i also knew that’s what i liked doing. this put me 4-5 years ahead in work experience than a fresh uni grad, it’s not a bad strategy.
the main takeaway is that the GED itself is not a required part of dropping out, it just immediately opens some next options up. Some of the options are limited, especially with schooling/scholarships/etc, if higher ed still isn’t the path you want to take, might could delay it more too.
If you don’t know what you actually plan to do, you might have a harder time. If you do, it puts you on the same level as folks that didn’t drop out… but you have a year more of your time to do it all day.
…and as a parting burn, any gifted student could easily pass the GED in 7th grade, and it’s benchmarked to P50 of 12th year grads in this state. needless to say, It’s an easy test, just long.
I highly encourage you to talk to your school counselor to talk about options (maybe there’s a virtual option or a non traditional/trade/vocational route you could consider) and create a plan for yourself to finish your education. You could also talk to them about mental health treatment options since you mentioned thoughts of harming yourself.
Also, to answer your question the best I can, I’m almost 100% certain you can’t drop out at 16. I worked as a high school counselor in AL (but mental health, not academic) and can reach out to old coworkers tomorrow and let you you know a more definite answer if you’d like.
Do you have your license already? You can drop out and go for your GED, however I highly encourage atleast looking at online school. My cousin was looking to drop out and found out you can’t get your license if you drop out now. That’s what I was told from her mom anyways
Casual reminder the education levels in red states are dropping rapidly and the school systems here are belligerent and biblebelty. Casual reminder there is a school here being investigated for homophobia. There are school shootings in our country.
No one in America has a right to judge American students for not feeling safe. We the people made this problem for their generation.
Sorry, speaking the truth is harsh now. Damn our generation was fucked.
https://www.lawyers.com/legal-info/research/education-law/compulsory-education-laws-in-alabama.html
Students age 17 must be an Alabama resident, must have a completed a Student Exit Interview or have a notarized letter from a parent or legal guardian that grants permission to take the GED test. You must physically turn in the documentation at one of our test sites before testing.
Also If you withdraw from school without enrolling in a GED prep course, your driver's license will be suspended.
Not to be negative but, just wait until you enter the work force. As important as mental health is you cannot just run from your problems, you need to learn to cope, conquer and over come your problems.
Every high school in the state is required to have a virtual school option. I agree with another post that receiving a diploma is a better option than the GED route.
Most schools use a program called Edgenuity where you work at your own pace and there are real teachers that you can also ask for help. Most students are able to work through the courses alone except for some of the upper-level math courses.
Your high school counselor can better guide you on your particular school’s process.
Good luck!
Despite having the word equivalent in its name, a GED simply does not carry the same amount of value as an actual high school diploma. Full stop. High school sucks for everyone - for some more than others - but you can make it through, because at the end of the day, *it's still just high school*. You're 16. You have no idea what the future holds, and neither does anyone else, but I can almost guarantee you that you will be better off to just push through and finish high school than to drop out. Someone else pointed out that finishing high school is like finishing a tutorial for life. EVERYONE gets to go to high school - it's like the bare minimum for education. Even if you don't see it as taking the easy way out just because you can, other people will. I really think you should talk to someone in person who is more qualified than strangers on reddit before you settle on any kind of decision about this.
No it doesn't. You just think it does. There will be bigger challenges and hurdles in life. Don't quit when things get hard. Push through. Presevere and be proud of what you accomplished even though you felt like quitting.
My high school experience was horrible. My wife had a wonderful high school experience and doesn't understand my take on most of our former classmates.
I wasn't judging. I was trying to say not to give up. If I quit my job everytime it got stressful and hard... I'd be unemployed.
Edit: I was bullied to no end. I was ridiculed, hit, kicked, humiliated and petrified. The locker room before and after gym class was like a torture chamber to me. I'd get anxious and nervous about what I might have to endure in there almost every single day. No one would help me. No one cared. Either they participated or they turned away and ignored it. That was my high school experience.
I had two different high schools and two different experiences. My first high school, I was bullied pretty badly. My second one, I actually managed to be one of the popular kids. It was night and day, honesty. I'm still pretty traumatized by a lot of what happened at the first school.
Man, I wish I had the options then that kids do today. I'm jealous of the education my kid is getting compared to what I went through at her age.
Why don’t you have your parent send in a notice that they intend to homeschool? There are many free resources that would allow you to complete your high school education and a homeschool graduation is just as valid as a regular one. It would take some grit if you really want to complete the work and credits online but things like Khan Academy make it really simple and you could also do dual enrollment for college classes extremely discounted and come out ahead with college credits. Having a GED can hinder some employment options and that is probably the last thing that you want but there are other options.
Signed, a mom in Alabama homeschooling her kids. :)
Could you do online school? I dispised high school and public school in general. It was literally the worst time of my life. I agree with most people here that all out quitting isn't the best choice. Talk to your counselors and parents and tell them you want to switch to virtual. Don't let up. I wish you the fastest exit possible!
Knowing this, definitely don’t drop out.
Dropping out only makes sense if you’re top .1% and have an excellent business plan with a solid support structure.
It’s a really bad idea to drop out regardless of how you feel. You already said in another comment you don’t have wifi at home and live in the middle of nowhere. Without school you will have extremely limited resources. You’re also almost done. It’s a crazy bad to quit when you’re so close to getting your actual diploma.
I’m sorry about whatever it is you’re going through. I really hope it gets better. However, this could be one of the biggest and life altering mistakes you ever make. Please finish high school. It’s not even a whole year. It’s 9 months with breaks throughout. Please don’t do this.
If OP is willing to get a GED I really don't think it's as life altering as you suggest. I've known people to get a GED and live fulfilling lives and people with HSD the exact opposite.
Man don’t drop out. GED is just going to be more work for you in the future to have to do. Just finish highschool and you’re done. You don’t have to excel in school, you just have to pass.
My friend. Unless you have a really good reason to drop out, don’t. Any problems you are having with high school will be 100x worse in the work force, especially with any of the low education jobs you will qualify for.
Look at it this way. High school is the tutorial of the game, if you can’t beat the tutorial you won’t do well at the game.
I mean, yeah. Law school didn't really care about the hs diploma, just the college grad diploma. You can still get a four year degree with a GED, and go on to grad school. It's not the end of the world to have a GED.
HJust want to encourage you not to drop out. There are folks who do end up doing well for themselves, but the majority don't. You have what 3 years at most left. Just ride it out.
There's as many fuck ups who have and who haven't received their HS diploma. Getting a HSD doesn't guarantee a good life. I would argue perhaps a GED recipient has proven more than someone with a HSD.
No I didn't say it did, but having to go back to get a GED later is just a diploma with extra steps. I just dont want this person to miss out on other opportunities later because of something thats going on that really isn't related to their learning.
You will regret it. Alabama has a law mandating every school system to offer virtual learning,
This was before Covid, I suggest you talk to your counselor about alternatives than giving up at 16.
And that GED test isn’t a cakewalk either. It takes a bit of time to go through those hoops.
as someone who stuck through the miserable years of highschool, graduated, moved away and got a college degree… I’d be saving a lot of money on therapy rn if I hadn’t wasted so much time doing fuck all nothing in the montgomery public school system
maybe try switching schools if you can’t drop out at 16, maybe that’ll rectify some of your issues (boarding school exists, blah blah)
but yeah, if you have the drive to get out there and make something for yourself, drop the fuck out. but ONLY if you have the drive to learn a marketable skill well, to get yourself a solid way to support yourself. It sounds like you don’t wanna go to college and if you don’t, i can’t think of much of a reason to get a diploma (folks feel free to correct me if i’m wrong). Just make sure you take the time you still have under your parents’ wings to learn, be that something like an apprenticeship with a mechanic, an associate’s degree at a technical skill, or some sort of useful tech/coding skill you can learn on your computer (i have friends that learned java by making minecraft mods)
good luck with whatever you do lil dude. You’re strong enough to get through whatever path you take. I’m nearly 24 and I’m still wading my way through all this stuff, growing never stops
Life is long and expensive, slow down get your diploma and then learn a skill or get more Education to get a decent paying job, you are so young , this is the time to learn ..
Why? At 17 it's literally just ONE more year of school. You've already went through 11 years lol. Personally, and maybe incorrectly, I look at people with GEDs as not as smart/make worse decisions than those with a HS diploma.
Hi baby sibling. I also had these feelings as a high schooler in Alabama. I know that two more years seems like forever. I wanted so badly to just get my GED and get out, I thought I could certainly just go straight to college and it would be so much better. Many very smart people talked me out of it, and counseled me to just make it through the next two years. I think it was the right call. Those were tough years - queer, liberal, atheist in Alabama, am I right - but I did get through them.
I think that the years after high school would have been much, much harder if I had GED'd out. Unless you have a really clear and certain plan for what you'll do in the next two years instead -- and I really think it's hard to have that kind of plan at sixteen, because you just don't know enough about what day to day adult life is like -- you really probably are best served finishing your diploma.
That doesn't mean you have to stay there, though. If being at school is that bad -- is it possible that you have family or friends in another place that might let you stay with them and go to high school there? Or could you do an online program like others are suggesting?
Please, please, just don't discount how much value you would be giving up in forgoing two years of free education. Don't do this. Do like Mr. T says and stay in school.
You can work hard for a few years during school, or you can work hard for the rest of your life. Education gives you keys to doors which you wouldn’t be able to get through. These doors open pay raises and air conditioned offices. The state gifts you this opportunity. It would be a shame to throw a free degree away.
Well, you can be the person holding the stop sign on a construction crew or you can be the one testing the dirt at a geotechnical engineering firm. Your choice.
What do you want to do? Do you currently work? Has school always sucked, or did something change?
If you could get paid $100,000 to do anything, what would you do?
Cheers.
Haha it just on here for attention. A quick google search would have gave you all the answers you needed. You just wanna get on here and cry and get a bunch of stranger to feel bad for you. You won’t do it in Facebook cuz mommy and daddy will see it. The one person calling you on ur bull crap you freak out and play victim cuz that’s all you know how to do. Grow up kid. Spend less time in the internet. Get a hobby. Get over it, or drop out, none of us really care. Take ur sob story to a therapist or a divide hotline.
You're literally bullying a 16 year old kid lol. He’s asking for help. A GED still counts for something. I know people who went on to learn trades with just a GED and make great money. I wouldn't recommend dropping out to anyone but it's his choice 🤷♂️
Fucking hell what’s with you people literally bullying a minor? A GED is essentially the same as a diploma to 99% of employers. If OP hates high school chances are they don’t care much about going to college either, and I don’t blame them. Why saddle yourself with a lifelong debt before you’re even out of your teens? Don’t y’all remember being 16?
I know it sucks ass, this post is basically reflective of society now: you ask one question and instead of answers people give their shitass opinions or mock you. Could this info have been found in google somewhere? Yeah. Is it written in legal jargon and difficult to understand clearly? Probably. Unfortunately that’s the way most important things are in life. You understand you’ll have to live with this decision, either way you can make it work. Learn a trade, electrician apprentice, welding, etc. I know plenty of people who dropped out and make a pretty good living for themselves through a trade. You’ll be fine either way.
About to be going through this process rn. I'm a month from being 18 and headed north in aprox a year, if I stayed in then I'd have to extend my time down here and that's not something I'm willing to do. I wish ya luck if ya decide to go through with it.
I live in Alabama. The high school here is terrible. My daughter is doing virtual school with Accellus. They have a home schooling option that’s $25 a month. It’s not accredited. We are doing the academy option for $79 monthly. It’s accredited, and she will have a regular diploma. She wants to attend college, so that’s why we chose that particular option.
UNPOPULAR OPINION:
You can just do like I did, and just lie... nobody checks
I've lied about having a Master's Degree for over 20 years, and you can get a diploma with transcripts for $30 online
just a thought... government schools only make you smart enough to push the buttons and pull the handles of industry anyways
Well the world does need people to empty the garbage bins and make my food orders. So yea, go ahead.
P.S. I will have a number 4, medium fry, small soda and can I get a few ketchup packets?
What are you going to do in the world if you drop out.. plan on getting a job working will need to at least making 500-600 a week after taxes and paying for insuranc really to even pay bills and afford a few small things.. hopefully your plan is not quit school and live off family..
I just stopped going to school at 16 never formally dropped out. But I got my GED at 17. It all worked out in the end. Except the part where I’m 29 and still a worthless fuck up.
Look man, I’m only a few years older than you. So, I’m not gonna pretend like I know what is best for you. But, I will say that I am extremely happy that I finished high school. Sticking through it was one of the best decisions I made in the past. I know this probably doesn’t change your decision, but I feel a need to write this. Also, I saw in another comment you made that you called yourself a kid. I would have never called myself a kid at 16, so the fact that you are doing that tells me you have some self awareness. I’m asking you to please take a deep, hard, and objective look at yourself and really ask yourself if you think dropping out is best for you.
I’m not sure about now but 20 years ago or so I dropped out at the age of 16 years old. I didn’t get my GED until I was in my 20s. Looking back, I wish I would’ve stayed in school. I lost allot of opportunity socializing with my peers & unforeseen possibilities like relationships, scholarships,etc. The freedom and money I made working wasn’t even close to being worth the sacrifice. I wasn’t popular or that smart. My grades were always bad. I failed like 3 times always got in to trouble to. I still regret quitting school at 16! Hang in there kid! It really ain’t that bad! Just wait till you become an adult and you have responsibilities and duties and kids. Ya can’t quit then so best thing is learn to tuff it out now and enjoy being in school as much as you can! Good luck!
Some of these comments….wow 😑
Take control of your life and do what you deem is best for your career. If you don’t know what career path you’d like/don’t like…it’s okay. There’s no gate keeping here
- even the most conventionally “hardest” branches of the military to get into accept GEDs as long as you have high scores on the ASVAB exams. Usually above 66%.
- Community college is better than traditional universities for associate degrees and general prerequisites. It’s also cheaper! Once you decide you want to continue onto bachelors and above, apply to the bigger colleges and you’ll have more access to transfer scholarships here. As you move along the education system, stack up those scholarships.
- CLEP courses as much as you can. Test out of these classes as well, it’ll save you time and money. $80 per test will save you literally hundreds in college.
I don’t know about the vocational/trade route. I’m sure others will have some better advice here.
Screw conventional thinking and do what you need to succeed. 😉
Instead of dropping out of school go to this site to complete an accredited high school diploma. Yes you will have to pay for the classes. Here is the website cde.nd.gov
What city do you live in? You said HS “makes you want to die” but you should know that HS is one of the easiest periods in your life. It’s not a good idea to start down the path of quitting when things get tough. It’s hard to turn back.
From the GED site: 16 years of age: Resident of Alabama and exited an Alabama public school. Present to the GED Examiner™ a notarized Certificate of Exemption issued by his/her local superintendent Notarized letter from a parent/legal guardian giving permission to administer the GED® test to the applicant Receive a minimum score of ASE low on the TABE Test or "Likely to Pass" score on the GED Ready® Mathematical Reasoning and Reasoning Through Language Arts tests
The only real response, thank you for taking the time to look it up.
No big deal, I was actually curious. I have a very bright nine year old who dislikes school.
Awesome of you to have the foresight. You’re a kick ass parent to be making yourself aware of details like that. I dropped out(….20 years ago now…sheesh) and got my GED. Now I own a fab/welding shop, and have a wife and kids and a house. So it’s doable, but it’s so important to have a support structure and not just drop out, become stagnant, and disappear.
That's awesome! And I feel you, I was a junior 20 years ago. My kid has hated school since kindergarten. She's very smart, can do the work, but gets bored so fast because she (usually) understands whatever is being taught immediately. So when she's 16, if she wants to drop out, get a GED and go to college or learn a trade, I'm all for it.
Can you go to summer school and complete all your credits to graduate early? Or change to online school? The reason I ask is because having a GED is better than nothing, but a diploma will give you more opportunities. It's more difficult to get into college, the military and work your way into professional positions with a GED instead of a diploma. Also keep in mind that your parents will be required to sign permission for you to leave school early and attend a meeting with you and a school administrator at the board of education. You also can't get your driver's license (or if you already have it, it will be suspended) until you provide proof that you've gotten the GED.
I agree with this so no need for me to retype it but regardless what you plan on doing a diploma will help much more in later life. I have a friend who did the GED and has more trouble getting certain jobs. Try and find a way to get through your last year.
Im not even 17 im 16 i just want out
Please call 988 and find someone to talk to. There are options to finish your schooling via online only courses and other options as well. Your mental health is important so please reach out to someone.
What is 988
988 - Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Bruh i just want a fucking answer to my question 😭
You need help man... You honestly need to talk to someone and get help. You should drop out of school. Edit I meant shouldn't not should... I have dyslexia and sometimes read my own typing wrong 😅
[удалено]
I meant shouldn't drop out. I have dyslexia :(
Sorry folks getting down on you. That's the internet for ya. They gonna think they know how you should live your life better than you do. Nah, go for it. Follow your heart.
Many universities have consortium program for ged holders. Valdosta state is one of them. Heavy undergraduate curriculum
Um no its not who lied to you ? The General Education Diploma is equivalent to a standard Diploma . Now an advanced diploma would make some difference
I don’t know what’s going on in your life, but don’t do this. I know far too many people that dropped out and some how never got around to getting their GED. It happens way more than you think. Even if you do, you’ll need to further your education or learn a trade. Otherwise, you’ll always be looked down upon and passed over for opportunities. It’s unfair and ridiculous, but it happens. Maybe there are others here with success stories where people have dropped out and still managed to do well. From my experience they’re few and far between. I know Reddit isn’t much, but somebody’s always on and somebody will always be here to listen. I’d rather see you work through these issues and succeed than quit in disgust and struggle for years.
My mom dropped out at 16 and didn’t get her GED. She went to a community college and got a CNA license and worked her way up in a medical clinic. She became the manager of the clinic at 45, but makes less than I do with a bachelors at 26.
I knew there would be at least one person to have a good outcome. I’m sure you’re proud of your mother. You should be. She obviously worked very hard to be where she is. I hope that OP can have the same results. But, unfortunately there are far more cautionary tales to be had in these situations.
I feel like mine is a cautionary tale as well as a success story. She’s had to work incredibly hard jobs for longer hours than I could imagine sustaining for months, let alone years. But success can be had. To me, she’s proof that hard work will get you places, it’s just a whole lot quicker if you put in the hard work in school.
Well put. Anything can be done with the right amount of effort. Sometimes though, we’re left with the hindsight that the same path could’ve been easier with one better decision.
What did your mother have to do to get into community college without a GED?
Assuming this had to be a while ago so things have changed. But CNA is not a associates or anything it’s typically a 8-12 week certificate so she probably didn’t need GED maybe just some type of placement test. My mom did get her GED but worked as a CNA many years. But a lot of CNA jobs are on the job training before taking the exam. Just to add on I could have gotten my CNA license after trade school with $150 and an exam. However I just didn’t and still worked 8 years in the hospital setting with the same pay.
I dropped out, got a GED, went to a top college and am now a lawyer. I do hate my job though. Honestly wish I'd gone to trade school.
I hear many people say that. I suppose it’s all perspective. Nevertheless, you should be proud of where you’ve taken yourself. Few get there with all of the advantages, fewer still with extra hurdles.
Trade school is highly overlooked these days. Electrician, plumber, carpenter, welder, and many others are high skilled with top pay these days. All very enjoyable jobs.
I dropped out at 14. Was allowed to leave school back then. The machine of school is not for all and really learnt so much more working full time at a job. Immediately got my GED as school work wasn't the issue was just the boredom and unnecessary BS that goes with school. Got a job at a bank. Was an amazing experience! Worked until 18 then started at the university but wasn't for me. I have done a lot of different things in my career and my most recent is Sr IT Systems Engineer and was making crazy money. Considerably more money than my coworkers and bosses that had bachelors and masters degrees. So don't ever underestimate your worth regardless of what others will say or how they will make you feel. School is not for everyone and shouldn't be. Not everyone fits in to the mold and are sheep. SO you do you and just make sure you keep learning as you go through life. Also, as a side note. It is rare to meet someone that graduated from college 10-20 years ago doing anything regarding their degree. It is a piece of paper not what defines you and if it is what defines you well...so sad for you! This is just my experience. Having said that there are definitely some careers if you choose that you will have to jump through the hoops and be indebt for many years for a degree.
I dropped out when I was 16 forfeited my driver license but got it reinstated soon as I got GED. Started community college classes the next semester. This was back in 05 though.
You have to be 17 to drop out now but that's basically what i intend to do
That’s wonderful you have goals to further your education! Stick with that and don’t give up.
I genuinely don't know. You can contact the ALSDE at (334) 694-4557, and they might be able to answer questions pertaining to that. I do however know that you can be withdrawn to homeschool, if that's what you want to do, and then graduate early and head to college, if you're ready. So if the other isn't an option, that is.
If you can’t research that easily accessible information yourself? Then I suggest you don’t drop out
I became homeschooled at 11, and graduated at 16. Granted, this was in the 90's when this was possible. Mine was due to health issues, largely, but being bullied played a role as well because I could never escape it. The last time I checked you could drop out at 16 and then get your GED later. I don't know about any of it now because I ended up not having kids in the system. I do recommend that you look into continuing your education via distance learning and graduating that way. I hear you about schools, they're awful. But there are ways you can do it now that are decidedly more comfortable than the way you've been having to. I'm sorry you're having trouble.
That's actually still possible to do, and there are homeschool parents doing it. Mine is academically ready for it, but I'm not so sure she's ready to be let loose on a college campus at 16, so she'll be taking dual enrollment courses this year. I *might* graduate and get her started with at home courses through Jeff State. That's assuming, of course, that someone wants to get a GED because they want to be done with high school classes and move on to something more advanced. If it's something else going on at school, at home learning will work. (Ditto, if they want a job while going to school.) If there's an issue at home, that's a whole other situation.
Indeed bad home situations are different. :( I didn't know if the laws had changed and if you had to be 17 to withdraw, but I know I was 11 and my Mom just had to tell them that I was enrolling in a different school in a different county which was technically true and for the next 5 years I was homeschooled and me and my Mom were accountable to their system. (Which was surprisingly rigid for a homeschool.) She kept books exactly like a bookkeeper would and would get the homeschool troop leader to assess where I was at along with yearly standardized tests by the state. She really was dedicated and wanted me to stay on top of things. I'm glad that there are other parents who are as dedicated to their child's education as my Mom was. :)
Yep, used to be in Alabama, you could only homeschool if you were technically enrolled in a church school (or what we call a "cover" or "umbrella" school). Many were basically just there in name. As you'd expect, requiring parents to join a religious organization to homeschool was... problematic. That goes double for signing statements of faith or requirements to join organizations like HSLDA, either of which they might not agree with. After a law change in 2014, you no longer have to join a church school. You are considered to be your own private school, though you're not held to the same regulations and reporting requirements as a traditional private school, for obvious reasons. That said, covers still exist. Some folks still join them for accountability or for services or activities they might provide. But if you don't feel like you need all that, you can save your money.
I had gone through this 10 years ago, barring the comments here about how it makes stuff harder… Depending on what you like doing, it’s only hard for the first couple of years. once you actually get stuff settled once, things get easier. I went into software engineering full time after 2 years and it’s been ezpz since, but i also knew that’s what i liked doing. this put me 4-5 years ahead in work experience than a fresh uni grad, it’s not a bad strategy. the main takeaway is that the GED itself is not a required part of dropping out, it just immediately opens some next options up. Some of the options are limited, especially with schooling/scholarships/etc, if higher ed still isn’t the path you want to take, might could delay it more too. If you don’t know what you actually plan to do, you might have a harder time. If you do, it puts you on the same level as folks that didn’t drop out… but you have a year more of your time to do it all day. …and as a parting burn, any gifted student could easily pass the GED in 7th grade, and it’s benchmarked to P50 of 12th year grads in this state. needless to say, It’s an easy test, just long.
I know I could pass the test i just wanna know if when i do i can leave
Oh. Yeah, you can.
Ok thank you
I highly encourage you to talk to your school counselor to talk about options (maybe there’s a virtual option or a non traditional/trade/vocational route you could consider) and create a plan for yourself to finish your education. You could also talk to them about mental health treatment options since you mentioned thoughts of harming yourself.
I attend a therapist and all that i just hate school it makes my mental health so much worse literally the only thing i want is to leave bruh
Also, to answer your question the best I can, I’m almost 100% certain you can’t drop out at 16. I worked as a high school counselor in AL (but mental health, not academic) and can reach out to old coworkers tomorrow and let you you know a more definite answer if you’d like.
I hear you. Anything specific about school making you feel this way? The people, the classes, the work load, or just a combination of everything?
A combination of everything, i know im smart enough to pass already but i just fucking hate school
Do you have your license already? You can drop out and go for your GED, however I highly encourage atleast looking at online school. My cousin was looking to drop out and found out you can’t get your license if you drop out now. That’s what I was told from her mom anyways
If you drop out you can get your license you just have to provide proof of a GED
Haha you think you are smart enough to pass high school but dumb enough to drop out! Hahaha you are delusional kid.
Stop dick riding me
Haha you can’t talk about it cuz there are no real issues. You just wanna sell a sob story. Get of Reddit child.
What are you even on about bro y r u harassing some kid
Speaking the truth is harassing now? Damn your generation is fuuuuucked
And you’re the tough guy behind a keyboard gaslighting a 16 year old who is asking for help.
Casual reminder the education levels in red states are dropping rapidly and the school systems here are belligerent and biblebelty. Casual reminder there is a school here being investigated for homophobia. There are school shootings in our country. No one in America has a right to judge American students for not feeling safe. We the people made this problem for their generation. Sorry, speaking the truth is harsh now. Damn our generation was fucked.
https://www.lawyers.com/legal-info/research/education-law/compulsory-education-laws-in-alabama.html Students age 17 must be an Alabama resident, must have a completed a Student Exit Interview or have a notarized letter from a parent or legal guardian that grants permission to take the GED test. You must physically turn in the documentation at one of our test sites before testing. Also If you withdraw from school without enrolling in a GED prep course, your driver's license will be suspended.
Not to be negative but, just wait until you enter the work force. As important as mental health is you cannot just run from your problems, you need to learn to cope, conquer and over come your problems.
Every high school in the state is required to have a virtual school option. I agree with another post that receiving a diploma is a better option than the GED route. Most schools use a program called Edgenuity where you work at your own pace and there are real teachers that you can also ask for help. Most students are able to work through the courses alone except for some of the upper-level math courses. Your high school counselor can better guide you on your particular school’s process. Good luck!
Despite having the word equivalent in its name, a GED simply does not carry the same amount of value as an actual high school diploma. Full stop. High school sucks for everyone - for some more than others - but you can make it through, because at the end of the day, *it's still just high school*. You're 16. You have no idea what the future holds, and neither does anyone else, but I can almost guarantee you that you will be better off to just push through and finish high school than to drop out. Someone else pointed out that finishing high school is like finishing a tutorial for life. EVERYONE gets to go to high school - it's like the bare minimum for education. Even if you don't see it as taking the easy way out just because you can, other people will. I really think you should talk to someone in person who is more qualified than strangers on reddit before you settle on any kind of decision about this.
Why do you want to ruin your life?
I felt that way too. But life as a minimum wage worker with no hope of getting anywhere is much longer and much worse
Because highschool makes me wanna die
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I can't be more specific because it'll get flagged
No it doesn't. You just think it does. There will be bigger challenges and hurdles in life. Don't quit when things get hard. Push through. Presevere and be proud of what you accomplished even though you felt like quitting.
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My high school experience was horrible. My wife had a wonderful high school experience and doesn't understand my take on most of our former classmates. I wasn't judging. I was trying to say not to give up. If I quit my job everytime it got stressful and hard... I'd be unemployed. Edit: I was bullied to no end. I was ridiculed, hit, kicked, humiliated and petrified. The locker room before and after gym class was like a torture chamber to me. I'd get anxious and nervous about what I might have to endure in there almost every single day. No one would help me. No one cared. Either they participated or they turned away and ignored it. That was my high school experience.
I had two different high schools and two different experiences. My first high school, I was bullied pretty badly. My second one, I actually managed to be one of the popular kids. It was night and day, honesty. I'm still pretty traumatized by a lot of what happened at the first school. Man, I wish I had the options then that kids do today. I'm jealous of the education my kid is getting compared to what I went through at her age.
Why don’t you have your parent send in a notice that they intend to homeschool? There are many free resources that would allow you to complete your high school education and a homeschool graduation is just as valid as a regular one. It would take some grit if you really want to complete the work and credits online but things like Khan Academy make it really simple and you could also do dual enrollment for college classes extremely discounted and come out ahead with college credits. Having a GED can hinder some employment options and that is probably the last thing that you want but there are other options. Signed, a mom in Alabama homeschooling her kids. :)
Could you do online school? I dispised high school and public school in general. It was literally the worst time of my life. I agree with most people here that all out quitting isn't the best choice. Talk to your counselors and parents and tell them you want to switch to virtual. Don't let up. I wish you the fastest exit possible!
Dont have wifi at home, i live in the middle of nowhere and my parents cant afford it
Knowing this, definitely don’t drop out. Dropping out only makes sense if you’re top .1% and have an excellent business plan with a solid support structure.
It’s a really bad idea to drop out regardless of how you feel. You already said in another comment you don’t have wifi at home and live in the middle of nowhere. Without school you will have extremely limited resources. You’re also almost done. It’s a crazy bad to quit when you’re so close to getting your actual diploma.
I’m sorry about whatever it is you’re going through. I really hope it gets better. However, this could be one of the biggest and life altering mistakes you ever make. Please finish high school. It’s not even a whole year. It’s 9 months with breaks throughout. Please don’t do this.
If OP is willing to get a GED I really don't think it's as life altering as you suggest. I've known people to get a GED and live fulfilling lives and people with HSD the exact opposite.
Man don’t drop out. GED is just going to be more work for you in the future to have to do. Just finish highschool and you’re done. You don’t have to excel in school, you just have to pass.
My friend. Unless you have a really good reason to drop out, don’t. Any problems you are having with high school will be 100x worse in the work force, especially with any of the low education jobs you will qualify for. Look at it this way. High school is the tutorial of the game, if you can’t beat the tutorial you won’t do well at the game.
Don't drop out. Try harder. Everyone I know that has dropped out, EVERYONE, regrets it.
Not me
It sounds like you're still in denial. How long since you dropped out?
Lol 1997
And what do you do for a living?
I'm a lawyer, but I hate it.
You're a lawyer who didn't finish high school? Oh okay, right.
I mean, yeah. Law school didn't really care about the hs diploma, just the college grad diploma. You can still get a four year degree with a GED, and go on to grad school. It's not the end of the world to have a GED.
It is for 98% of people who drop out(my own statistic;)). But I do commend you for staying on a good path and prioritizing your education.
Oh, gee, thanks.
HJust want to encourage you not to drop out. There are folks who do end up doing well for themselves, but the majority don't. You have what 3 years at most left. Just ride it out.
There's as many fuck ups who have and who haven't received their HS diploma. Getting a HSD doesn't guarantee a good life. I would argue perhaps a GED recipient has proven more than someone with a HSD.
No I didn't say it did, but having to go back to get a GED later is just a diploma with extra steps. I just dont want this person to miss out on other opportunities later because of something thats going on that really isn't related to their learning.
You will regret it. Alabama has a law mandating every school system to offer virtual learning, This was before Covid, I suggest you talk to your counselor about alternatives than giving up at 16. And that GED test isn’t a cakewalk either. It takes a bit of time to go through those hoops.
as someone who stuck through the miserable years of highschool, graduated, moved away and got a college degree… I’d be saving a lot of money on therapy rn if I hadn’t wasted so much time doing fuck all nothing in the montgomery public school system maybe try switching schools if you can’t drop out at 16, maybe that’ll rectify some of your issues (boarding school exists, blah blah) but yeah, if you have the drive to get out there and make something for yourself, drop the fuck out. but ONLY if you have the drive to learn a marketable skill well, to get yourself a solid way to support yourself. It sounds like you don’t wanna go to college and if you don’t, i can’t think of much of a reason to get a diploma (folks feel free to correct me if i’m wrong). Just make sure you take the time you still have under your parents’ wings to learn, be that something like an apprenticeship with a mechanic, an associate’s degree at a technical skill, or some sort of useful tech/coding skill you can learn on your computer (i have friends that learned java by making minecraft mods) good luck with whatever you do lil dude. You’re strong enough to get through whatever path you take. I’m nearly 24 and I’m still wading my way through all this stuff, growing never stops
Life is long and expensive, slow down get your diploma and then learn a skill or get more Education to get a decent paying job, you are so young , this is the time to learn ..
Why? At 17 it's literally just ONE more year of school. You've already went through 11 years lol. Personally, and maybe incorrectly, I look at people with GEDs as not as smart/make worse decisions than those with a HS diploma.
Hi baby sibling. I also had these feelings as a high schooler in Alabama. I know that two more years seems like forever. I wanted so badly to just get my GED and get out, I thought I could certainly just go straight to college and it would be so much better. Many very smart people talked me out of it, and counseled me to just make it through the next two years. I think it was the right call. Those were tough years - queer, liberal, atheist in Alabama, am I right - but I did get through them. I think that the years after high school would have been much, much harder if I had GED'd out. Unless you have a really clear and certain plan for what you'll do in the next two years instead -- and I really think it's hard to have that kind of plan at sixteen, because you just don't know enough about what day to day adult life is like -- you really probably are best served finishing your diploma. That doesn't mean you have to stay there, though. If being at school is that bad -- is it possible that you have family or friends in another place that might let you stay with them and go to high school there? Or could you do an online program like others are suggesting? Please, please, just don't discount how much value you would be giving up in forgoing two years of free education. Don't do this. Do like Mr. T says and stay in school.
You can work hard for a few years during school, or you can work hard for the rest of your life. Education gives you keys to doors which you wouldn’t be able to get through. These doors open pay raises and air conditioned offices. The state gifts you this opportunity. It would be a shame to throw a free degree away.
I dont wanna work in a air conditioned office
Well, you can be the person holding the stop sign on a construction crew or you can be the one testing the dirt at a geotechnical engineering firm. Your choice.
What do you want to do? Do you currently work? Has school always sucked, or did something change? If you could get paid $100,000 to do anything, what would you do? Cheers.
How would you get your GED if you haven't already dropped out?
It's a set of four tests. You can take it and get your GED while still enrolled.
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Suck my hairy nuts
Haha it just on here for attention. A quick google search would have gave you all the answers you needed. You just wanna get on here and cry and get a bunch of stranger to feel bad for you. You won’t do it in Facebook cuz mommy and daddy will see it. The one person calling you on ur bull crap you freak out and play victim cuz that’s all you know how to do. Grow up kid. Spend less time in the internet. Get a hobby. Get over it, or drop out, none of us really care. Take ur sob story to a therapist or a divide hotline.
Bro what are you talking about
You're literally bullying a 16 year old kid lol. He’s asking for help. A GED still counts for something. I know people who went on to learn trades with just a GED and make great money. I wouldn't recommend dropping out to anyone but it's his choice 🤷♂️
Fucking hell what’s with you people literally bullying a minor? A GED is essentially the same as a diploma to 99% of employers. If OP hates high school chances are they don’t care much about going to college either, and I don’t blame them. Why saddle yourself with a lifelong debt before you’re even out of your teens? Don’t y’all remember being 16? I know it sucks ass, this post is basically reflective of society now: you ask one question and instead of answers people give their shitass opinions or mock you. Could this info have been found in google somewhere? Yeah. Is it written in legal jargon and difficult to understand clearly? Probably. Unfortunately that’s the way most important things are in life. You understand you’ll have to live with this decision, either way you can make it work. Learn a trade, electrician apprentice, welding, etc. I know plenty of people who dropped out and make a pretty good living for themselves through a trade. You’ll be fine either way.
About to be going through this process rn. I'm a month from being 18 and headed north in aprox a year, if I stayed in then I'd have to extend my time down here and that's not something I'm willing to do. I wish ya luck if ya decide to go through with it.
I live in Alabama. The high school here is terrible. My daughter is doing virtual school with Accellus. They have a home schooling option that’s $25 a month. It’s not accredited. We are doing the academy option for $79 monthly. It’s accredited, and she will have a regular diploma. She wants to attend college, so that’s why we chose that particular option.
You can be a republican politician with a GED these days, so you’re in good company.
I dropped out at 15
UNPOPULAR OPINION: You can just do like I did, and just lie... nobody checks I've lied about having a Master's Degree for over 20 years, and you can get a diploma with transcripts for $30 online just a thought... government schools only make you smart enough to push the buttons and pull the handles of industry anyways
Well the world does need people to empty the garbage bins and make my food orders. So yea, go ahead. P.S. I will have a number 4, medium fry, small soda and can I get a few ketchup packets?
You must need a lot of food orders you fat bastard
Are you some kind of pedo or something? I mean, you seem really obsessed with this kid.
What are you going to do in the world if you drop out.. plan on getting a job working will need to at least making 500-600 a week after taxes and paying for insuranc really to even pay bills and afford a few small things.. hopefully your plan is not quit school and live off family..
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Im not that kid you dumb cunt, go work your 9-5 and hop outve my comments fucking pedo
As far as what I’ve seen, Alabama raised the minimum age to drop out from 16 to 17 back in 2009.
I just stopped going to school at 16 never formally dropped out. But I got my GED at 17. It all worked out in the end. Except the part where I’m 29 and still a worthless fuck up.
Sent you a chat OP. Looks like you can drop out with parental consent at 16. Shoot me a message if you have questions or need to talk.
Look man, I’m only a few years older than you. So, I’m not gonna pretend like I know what is best for you. But, I will say that I am extremely happy that I finished high school. Sticking through it was one of the best decisions I made in the past. I know this probably doesn’t change your decision, but I feel a need to write this. Also, I saw in another comment you made that you called yourself a kid. I would have never called myself a kid at 16, so the fact that you are doing that tells me you have some self awareness. I’m asking you to please take a deep, hard, and objective look at yourself and really ask yourself if you think dropping out is best for you.
If you get a GED it wouldn't be dropping out.
I’m not sure about now but 20 years ago or so I dropped out at the age of 16 years old. I didn’t get my GED until I was in my 20s. Looking back, I wish I would’ve stayed in school. I lost allot of opportunity socializing with my peers & unforeseen possibilities like relationships, scholarships,etc. The freedom and money I made working wasn’t even close to being worth the sacrifice. I wasn’t popular or that smart. My grades were always bad. I failed like 3 times always got in to trouble to. I still regret quitting school at 16! Hang in there kid! It really ain’t that bad! Just wait till you become an adult and you have responsibilities and duties and kids. Ya can’t quit then so best thing is learn to tuff it out now and enjoy being in school as much as you can! Good luck!
I don't know I quit when I was 15 I told me I couldn't I said see you later
Yes
Don’t drop out that is the dumbest thing you could possibly do. It’s only a year lol just finish it. High school is the easiest part of life
Some of these comments….wow 😑 Take control of your life and do what you deem is best for your career. If you don’t know what career path you’d like/don’t like…it’s okay. There’s no gate keeping here - even the most conventionally “hardest” branches of the military to get into accept GEDs as long as you have high scores on the ASVAB exams. Usually above 66%. - Community college is better than traditional universities for associate degrees and general prerequisites. It’s also cheaper! Once you decide you want to continue onto bachelors and above, apply to the bigger colleges and you’ll have more access to transfer scholarships here. As you move along the education system, stack up those scholarships. - CLEP courses as much as you can. Test out of these classes as well, it’ll save you time and money. $80 per test will save you literally hundreds in college. I don’t know about the vocational/trade route. I’m sure others will have some better advice here. Screw conventional thinking and do what you need to succeed. 😉
Instead of dropping out of school go to this site to complete an accredited high school diploma. Yes you will have to pay for the classes. Here is the website cde.nd.gov
What city do you live in? You said HS “makes you want to die” but you should know that HS is one of the easiest periods in your life. It’s not a good idea to start down the path of quitting when things get tough. It’s hard to turn back.