The General Education Degree or GED in Illinois has a new name. It’s now called the Illinois High School Diploma. Local Regional Office of Education Supt. Chris Dvorak say the change is supposed to break the negative stigma about students getting a GED rather than the traditional diploma.
He says although businesses might find out that the diploma was called the GED before, they will still want to hire people with the degree. The requirements for the diploma are the same. The regional office works with Illinois Valley Community College to help students get their diplomas. Gov. Pritzker signed a bill into law back in June last year to make the change but it didn’t take effect until January 1st.