Lies about online high schools
July 2nd, 2008You rarely see this many lies about online high schools all in one place, but here they are. Their lies primarily focus around not making the distinction between an accredited online high school and a diploma mill. It is so easy to tell the difference that it is clear this company is purposely attempting to cloud the field. I would like to address some of these lies in the interest of fairness and clarity.
Lie #1
Online diplomas are fast and you don’t learn anything.
While you may be able to earn an online high school diploma more quickly than a traditional one, this has more to do with not having to be in a room full of students who will slow you down. Accredited online high schools meet specific standards of accountability. This includes an analysis of the curriculum.
Lie #2
Online diplomas are not accepted by colleges.
While I do not know for sure, I am willing to make the argument that accredited online high school diplomas are acceptable to just as many colleges as will accept the GED. Many, many people who have earned their high school diplomas online have gone onto college.
Lie #3
The GED has become the Gold Standard for high school diplomas.
The GED is not a high school diploma. Nothing more really needs to be said. However, should you like more information, feel free to see what the American Council on Education, the makers of the GED, say about it.
Lie #4
Online diploma schools are not accredited by the U.S. Department of Education.
Neither is Harvard University. This is one of those lies of ommission. Yes, it is true that these schools are not accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. How many schools, though, does the Department accredit? The total of all schools at all levels would be zero. The Department of Education is not an accreditor.
It is these sleazy kind of tactics that make me question the value of these GED preparation websites. There is no need to lie. The GED is a wonderful thing and I have long been its advocate. I think in a number of situations it makes perfect sense. Few people know that one in twenty first year college students are GED-holders.
That being said, if you need to lie about such things, people should have a sense that you are a slimy company and should be avoided.
And how was your day? 
July 25th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Harvard isn’t an accredited high school?
July 29th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
To start with, obviously Harvard University is an accredited university. However, it is certainly not accredited by the U.S. Department of Education. Its accreditor is the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. As I stated, the U.S. DOE does not accredit schools.