Teens in tough situations (like lower income homes, pregnancy and/or parenting, and/or those who have been expelled from schools) are discovering the hardened truth—employers, as well as colleges, look for high school diplomas. (Some colleges and most entry-level employers will accept a state-issued GED in place of a high school diploma.)
On a cheerier note: although this summer looks bleak for summer work and part-time jobs, there may be good news for high school students next year. Economists are claiming our current recession will end by the end of this year. Unemployment and credit recovery will be slow, but there are signs we could be starting to rebound.
However, right now families are faced with difficult situations. Perhaps your school is among the unfortunate that have seen enrollment declines. Parents who can't afford to send their children to private schools any longer are switching to public schools, or private schools with lower tuition fees. And unfortunately, some students with fewer options are deciding to take their GED rather then attend a local public school.
Read the article in The Christian Science Monitor for more statistics and examples.
