[1stindoor]

The difference now is that a GED holds no weight whatsoever as far as the military is concerned. The only way a GED holder is going to get into the Armed Forces is if that person backs up his GED with somewhere between 15 and 30 semester hours of college.

I agree with longrange, a return to vocational programs would reap greater benefits. At my HS (granted I graduated 30 yrs ago) we had building trades, auto body, auto repair, horticulture, and a few others. We also had a robust college prep program, home ec, and taught typing and shorthand. There were many different ways to be successful in HS and your diploma and skillset helped prepare you for life.