Certificate of Completion vs. Diploma

by: GJ Sloan


Make sure that your children , nieces, nephews, kids friends & grandchildren know this !!!


The 'Certificate of Completion or Attendance' that is being offered in lieu of high school diplomas, is a part of Bush's 'No Child Left Behind'. This is how it works:


It is for students who are unable to pass both the Language Arts and Math portions of the 10th grade ISTEP. Students must take the same 10th grade test over in the 11th and 12th grades until they pass both portions. If they are unable to pass the 10th grade test by the 12th grade then they have two options:



1. Dropout and go to a GED program OR,


2. Accept a 'Certificate of Completion' - it is NOT a

diploma. Once a student accepts it, they cannot ever get a diploma or a

GED. A Certificate of completion means that a student can NEVER (as long as they live):


1. Go to the armed services

2.Go to college

3.Go to trade school

4.Go to journeyman's school

5.Go to beauty school

6.Go to culinary arts school

7.Get a federal loan in their lifetime



This is the portion of NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND (2001) that Bush slipped in during the 2004 revision of the NCLB bill. It has not been publicized. At a high school in Indiana , in 2005, there were 87 seniors in the graduation class. Five got diplomas and 82 got 'Certificates of Completion'. This is being referred to as the 'Paper Plantation'. It is better for students to drop out and get into a GED program so they may seek other forms of education, later in life, if they desire to do so.

All 50 states have 'Certificates of Completion or Attendance'.

Please pass this information along to EVERYONE you know who has school age children or grandchildren and educators.