SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The State of Illinois’ “GED” will be getting a name change as of Sunday.
The GED certificate will instead be called the “State of Illinois High School Diploma.”
“This is important because, often, a high school equivalency can have a stigma that it’s less than, or that it’s not in fact, equivalent to the work and the knowledge that a student with a high school diploma has,” said Matt Berry, spokesperson, Illinois Community College Board. “That’s far from the truth.”
Berry says everything otherwise will be the same in order to pass.
“Graduates who complete their high school equivalency and take the GED test have the same knowledge, experiences, and skills as a high school graduate,” said Berry. “We want to make sure that those students are recognized. The term ‘diploma’ is much more universally recognized with colleges and universities when you’re applying for school, and you’re seeking a job.”
Effective January 1, Berry says you can go to your local Regional Office of Education if you have a GED, and want the newly-named certificate.
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