GED

Although the GED, or General Education Development test, is officially considered the equivalent of a high school diploma, it requires a less difficult academic program than a regular high school diploma.  Some colleges and employers may think that a regular high school diploma is more valuable than a GED.  Instead of getting a regular high school diploma by attending classes, the GED requires students to take a large test. 

The GED has five sections: Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Writing Skills, and Interpreting Literature and the Arts.  You must pass all five sections to get your GED diploma.  The GED is available in English, Spanish, French, large-print, audiocassette, and Braille.

You may take the GED if you are a Texas resident, you have not graduated from high school, you are not enrolled in high school AND

1. You are at least 18 years old, or
2. You are at least 17 years old and you have permission from your parents or guardians, or
3. You are at least 16 years old and EITHER a public agency that has custody of you or supervises you under a court order recommends that you take the test OR you are enrolled in a Job Corps training program.

You can get more informaiton about the GED at the Texas Education Agency website.

If you are pregnant and your school is pressuring you to pursue a GED, you can call the Jane's Due Process legal hotline at 1-866-www-jane or 1-866-999-5263 for assistance.