DDOE warns of "Diploma Mills"
---"Secretary urges citizens to be extremely cautious of diploma scam”---
Dover, DE. In recent months, Delaware’s Department of Education has received numerous calls from students and parents with questions regarding high school diplomas, General Equivalent Development (GED) certificates and college diploma offers from questionable sources.“I urge anyone who is looking at completing requirements for a high school diploma, other than by graduating from a traditional public high school or a well established local non-public high school to be extremely cautious in selecting a path for earning the necessary requirements for completion,” said Secretary of Education Valerie A. Woodruff.
“Delawareans interested in taking the GED or receiving their high school diploma should beware of companies or ‘diploma mills’ that claim to offer high school diplomas or a GED certificate over the internet or through correspondence courses.” Added Secretary Woodruff, “These companies often advertise one low fee, require little or no coursework and offer a promise of a high school diploma in a short period of time. Similar offers are made for obtaining a college degree.”
A State of Delaware high school diploma can only be awarded to students graduating from a Delaware public high school or to students completing their high school credits through the James H. Groves Adult High School program. The only acceptable means to receive a GED is the successful completion of the General Education Development examination offered by the American Council on Education.
“The Delaware Department of Education does not accredit non-public or private high schools,” said Secretary Woodruff. “Therefore, if you are a resident of Delaware or elsewhere, I encourage you to do your research before you enroll in an unfamiliar program. There are many well established non-public and private high schools in Delaware where graduates receive diplomas from these schools,” said Secretary Woodruff. Cautioned the Secretary, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
For more information about the James H. Groves Adult High School or Delaware’s GED program, contact Maureen Whelan at 302-857-3340.
To learn how to identify and avoid diploma mills please refer to the resources provided below from the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Council for Higher Education.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt149.shtm
http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation
http://www.ed.gov/students/prep/college/diplomamills/index.html
http://www.chea.org/institutions/index.cfm
http://www.chea.org/search
http://www.chea.org/public_info/index.asp
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Delaware's Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education
for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.
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Contact Info.
Alison Kepner Delaware Department of Education 401 Federal Street, Suite #2 Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone: (302) 735-4035 Fax: (302) 739-4654 Email: akepner@doe.k12.de.us |
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