Prison is usually a make or break destination for criminals – they’re either able to rehabilitate or they’re not. For a London Hells Angel, it might have been the luckiest break of his life. Diamond Ialenti was arrested in 2008 carrying a hockey bag full of marijuana (with intent to traffic) and a handgun. Those acts earned him 1,056 days in behind bars.

This full-patch Hells Angel got to work immediately to finish his high school education. Having only ever completed the 9th grade, Ialenti is prepared to finish his high school diploma before leaving the prison. Upon release from prison, he plans to start college.

In order to finish high school before being released, he’ll have to transfer to a different facility. Ialenti has made that request and the judge has agreed to make the recommendation. Read the rest of this entry »

In 1942, there was a dramatic need for education amongst soldiers in the Armed Forces. At the time, millions of young people were enlisting to fight in World War II. However, they were doing so before they had earned their high school diplomas. That problem prompted the military to ask the American Council on Education to create a series of tests that could be used by those who had enlisted to show they had the necessary academic skills to get jobs outside the military. The tests became known as the General Educational Development program or GED.

What Is The Purpose Of The GED?
When people began to enlist in the Armed Forces in the 1940’s, the military recognized a growing problem amongst soldiers’ eligibility for civilian jobs. Without a high school diploma, soldiers returning home were often denied jobs. The GED was created to measure and demonstrate these soldiers’ grasp of subjects taught in high school. Today, millions of adults who lack a high school diploma earn their GED to prepare them for the workplace and help them compete for jobs.

How Do You Pass The GED?
The GED tests a person’s understanding of five fundamental subjects: math, social studies, reading, writing and science. Each test is graded individually with a score from 200 to 800. In order to pass any of the five tests, a person must score at least 410. However, to actually earn their GED, an average score of 450 across all five tests is required. If a person fails to pass one or more of the five tests, they need only to retake the tests they failed to earn their GED.

What Is The Best Way To Study For The Test?
One of the best ways to study for the GED is to take classes specially designed to prepare students for the test. You can often find these classes at a community college or high school in your area. That said, many people find it difficult to attend these classes. Often, they have jobs or families that create a scheduling conflict. If you have this issue, your best alternative is to purchase a GED preparation book at your local bookstore and study when you have time available. These books are updated regularly to keep up with any changes made to the GED tests.

Benefits Of Getting Your GED
There are several benefits to earning your GED. First, getting a job is easier as many employers want to see that prospective employees have the fundamental academic skills equivalent of a high school diploma. You’ll also find it easier to get promotions at your job because your employer knows that you’re able to learn and apply new skills. Studies have shown that the average person with a GED can make hundreds of thousands of dollars more over their lifetime than a person without a GED or high school diploma.

To earn your GED, you’ll need to commit some time and effort to learning the material well enough to pass the tests. But, it’s an investment that can pay dividends for the rest of your life.

Article by Damon Zahariades

For those without a high school diploma, getting a job and achieving financial security may be difficult. According to research conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, people who lack a high school diploma earn nearly a quarter of a million dollars less over their lifetimes than those with a diploma. This can have a profound effect on the quality of life they and their families experience. Below, you’ll learn how a high school diploma differs from a GED as well as 3 ways to earn your diploma.

Difference Between A GED And A High School Diploma

People often confuse a GED with a high school diploma. They are not the same. A GED requires that a person pass 5 different tests comprising of the core fundamentals taught in high school. Passing the tests can require several hours of study. Earning a high school diploma requires a more regimented set of courses. It usually takes at least 3 years to complete these courses.

Though employers typically see a GED and a high school diploma equally, colleges often consider a GED inferior. Though a diploma doesn’t guarantee entry into a college, it may provide a significant advantage over a GED when enrolling in competitive universities or certain oversubscribed majors.

3 Ways To Get Your High School Diploma

Millions of people drop out of high school early for a variety of reasons. Often, a lucrative job opportunity pulls them away from their studies. Other times, family obligations may preclude their attending classes. Whatever the reason, many of them wish to pursue their high school diploma years later. Today, there are several ways to earn a diploma:

1. Regular Classes – Some people enjoy meeting in person. They can interact with other students and the teacher in a more intimate environment. To cater to working adults, classes are often held in the evening or during weekends.

2. Correspondence Courses – These courses can be a great alternative for working adults who need flexibility in their schedules. The course work is completed and either submitted by mail or email to the teacher.

3. Online Classes – For students who are unable (or unwilling) to attend regular classes, yet want a level of interaction with other students and the teacher, online classes may be a good alternative. Most of the class assignments are made available to students online. Once completed, the assignments can be submitted by email. Students and teachers can interact through online chat sessions, videos and discussion forums.

Making The Commitment To Earning Your High School Diploma

While earning your high school diploma isn’t easy, doing so offers many benefits. Your potential lifetime earnings are much higher with a diploma than without. Employers are more likely to hire and promote you if they’re confident that you have a firm grasp of your core academic studies. Also, colleges may be more willing to accept you into programs that are impacted. You have many options in pursuing your diploma. Regular classes, correspondence courses and online classes can provide the flexibility you need. In the end, you may find that earning your high school diploma opens several doors of opportunity for you.

Check out Belford High School to earn your high school diploma online.