Chronic diseases, high school graduation, GED are significant aspects in the lives of many adolescents. For teens grappling with chronic health issues, the journey through high school can be fraught with difficulties. Traditional high school settings often present barriers that make it challenging for these students to complete their education. However, there are alternative solutions available that can help them overcome these obstacles and reach their educational milestones.
The Hurdles in Traditional High School Education
Adolescents with chronic diseases encounter multiple challenges in traditional high schools. Firstly, frequent absences due to medical appointments, hospital stays, or recovery periods can cause them to fall behind in their studies. For example, a student with asthma might miss classes during allergy seasons when their condition worsens. Secondly, the physical demands of a regular high school schedule, including long hours of sitting, moving between classrooms, and participating in physical education classes, can be overwhelming for those with limited physical stamina. According to CDC research on youth health, students with chronic diseases often face academic setbacks due to these factors.
Alternative Educational Paths
One alternative is online high school programs. These programs offer flexibility, allowing students to study at their own pace and from the comfort of their homes. They can access lectures, assignments, and interact with teachers and peers remotely. Another option is the General Educational Development (GED) test. The GED provides an opportunity for students who haven’t completed traditional high school to earn an equivalent credential. It assesses skills in areas like language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. As stated on the official GED website, many adults and non-traditional students have successfully obtained their GED and moved on to further education or better job opportunities.
Some schools also offer individualized education plans (IEPs) or 504 plans. These plans provide accommodations such as extra time for tests, modified assignments, and the ability to rest during the school day. This ensures that students with chronic diseases can participate fully in the educational process.
Readability guidance: By using short paragraphs and lists, we can clearly present the key points. In each H2 section, we provide a list of challenges or solutions. We also control the proportion of passive voice and long sentences, and add transition words like “firstly”, “secondly”, “however”, etc. throughout the text to enhance readability.
