Angie Velasquez dropped out of high school when she was 17.
But while attending community college, the California resident discovered she had to have a high school diploma to enroll in a particular course.
“It was kind of one of those, ‘OK, let me just go and get it because I know I’m smart enough to get my high school diploma,'” says Velasquez, now 27. “I never had the chance to actually do it.”
Velasquez, an office manager, earned her high school diploma online last year through a program at the Los Angeles Public Library with Career Online High School. The program is offered at a handful of public libraries nationwide through a partnership with education company Cengage Learning.
More than 29 million adults have not completed high school, 2014 data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows.
About 206,000 people enrolled in adult secondary education during the 2012-2013 school year, according to the most recent federal data.
Read about [Obama’s free community college plan.]
Earning a high school diploma online may seem appealing to working adults, but there are not many legitimate options available.
Most adults who want to complete high school will either need to pass a high school equivalency test, such as the GED, or attend adult high school classes, says Lennox McLendon, senior adviser at the National Council of State Directors of Adult Education.
“The GED works for a lot of people,” says Howard Liebman, superintendent and CEO of Smart Horizons Career Online Education, the parent organization of Career Online High School. But he says that most people who don’t complete high school don’t do well on high-stakes tests such as the GED, and some feel there is a stigma associated with the exam.
In addition to public libraries, the organization has partnered with a variety of institutions to offer online diploma programs in about 35 states, he says. Most students do not have to pay to participate.
Some state-approved organizations offer online high school completion opportunities for adults.
“We see this as a big area where we can help a lot of people,” says Steve Kossakoski, CEO of Virtual Learning Academy Charter School in Exeter, New Hampshire. The state-approved school will be opening an adult education program later this year.
Kossakoski says adults who are struggling financially — and working one or two jobs — may not be able to attend in-person adult education classes. Online education offers flexibility.
Both state residents and those who live elsewhere will be able to enroll in this program, he says, but all will have to pay a fee. Students will receive a diploma recognized by the state of New Hampshire.
Many online high schools require adult students to pay a fee, which can be expensive. But most states offer some option for adults to earn a high school credential for free or at a relatively low cost, though that option might not be online.
Adults considering online high school diploma programs should research their legitimacy carefully.
Discover how [an online college degree can help adults switch careers.]
While state or locally issued diplomas are probably the most widely recognized by employers and colleges, a private online high school diploma could be recognized or serve a student’s needs.
The Federal Trade Commission created a resource for individuals to use to determine if their private online high school is actually a diploma mill, an organization that sells bogus diplomas.
“It’s important to look at what is your long-term goal for your education,” says Leah Matthews, executive director of the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
An online high school diploma program may be the right fit for someone interested in pursuing a trade, such as welding, she says, but may not provide the right preparation for someone interested in an intensive liberal studies degree program.
“It’s difficult to say with absolute certainty that someone’s high school credential is going to be accepted by a college,” she says.
There are organizations, like Matthews’, that accredit online high schools. But the federal government does not oversee accreditation of any elementary or secondary schools the way it recognizes accreditors for colleges.
Learn [how to determine if your online program is legit.]
Career Online High School, a private school, is accredited by AdvanceED, which has also accredited Florida Virtual School, a public online school, and numerous offline schools.
If adults have some flexibility in their schedule, they may be able to complete high school through the National External Diploma program, a Web-based program in seven states.
Students who complete this program receive a state or locally issued high school diploma, says Stacey Downey, director of the program, which was created by a nonprofit organization that develops basic skills tests and curriculums.
The NEDP is an assessment program, not an instructional program. Adults have to demonstrate they have mastered many skills and subjects on multiple assessments.
Some work is completed independently in the self-paced program, but adults must come into the office regularly to complete assessments in a proctored environment. Students must pay, but the cost varies.
Some other online high school completion programs are available, but they may not be available to every adult in every state. Adults interested can seek assistance from their local adult education provider.
Velasquez, the recent high school graduate in California, completed her diploma while working and attending classes toward an associate degree. She is now transitioning to a job in human resources.
“It’s just a sense of accomplishment,” she says.
Trying to fund your online education? Get tips and more in the U.S. News Paying for Online Education center.
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Online Options to Complete a High School Diploma Limited for Adults originally appeared on usnews.com
Clarification 02/12/15: This article has been updated to clarify where Smart Horizons Career Online Education offers online diploma programs.
