I am a 5th grade dropout. Can anyone help me please?

Question

I am 16 years old. I was supposed to be homeschooled by my parents, but my parents never got around to helping me start. They bought me a few books a few years back but I was too lazy to study them and I couldn't concentrate. (I also have ADD so this is another problem.)

How can I get my education up to high school level? I need to get my GED but I fear I have no chance in getting it with such little education. I need to get my GED before I am 21 because that is when my parents will be kicking me out. Please help. Am I stuck like this?

Answer 1

You're not stuck, but you're going to have to make lemonade with your lemons.

   I think that what you should do is try to get into a trade school. A trade school will teach you skills hands on that will enable you to go out into the worls and get a decent job. Given your ADD you will probably learn better that way than studying from books and have a job when you complete the course.

Answer 2

You are definitely not stuck like this, but it will take hard work & dedication to pull it off.  Many great men & women taught themselves even the basics (which you already have)!  Abraham Lincoln taught himself to read and had no formal education until he went to law school.  Anyways, find out exactly what you need to know to get your GED and start studying those particular subjects.  Also go to the library and read all the books you can get your hands on.  Try out some homeschooling websites with lesson plans and worksheets.  They will help you see what you need to know.  If you have friends in high school see if they will help you out, even if they just let you look at their text books.  Just read a lot, find out exactly what you need to know and study!

Answer 3

Sue your parents for their failure to provide you with an education.  

Seriously go to your local community college they ususally offer classes for getting ones GED.  

You are never stuck, but you have to want it badly enough that you will do the things that you need to do to improve yourself.  

I would look into any programs that your community has, I don't understand any parent that would seriously allow their child to drop out of 5th grade in this day and age.   You could also look into jobcorps, http://jobcorps.dol.gov/  It's free and it's all around the country.  It's set up for people aged 16-24 to help them get job skills and I think they also help you get your GED.  They are also free.  

I hope you have the will power to do what you need to do.

Answer 4

You can most likely enroll in you're local public school. they'll probably accept you. poor kidddd.

Answer 5

I agree with the poster that said don't use ADD as an excuse.  My husband has ADD and was class valedictorian, did amazingly well in school.  Granted he spent several hours each evening studying and he worked 10 times harder than most of his peers.  

There are several free websites that help with GED study as well as College level exams, these should help you pass your GED.

http://www.gedforfree.com/

http://adulted.about.com/od/gedstudyreso...

http://www.testprepreview.com/

Check out these for starters and google GED/ACT/SAT/CLEP, there are plenty of free resources out there.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

You're going to need to hit the books and especially study your math.

There might be some state programs, but usually you can't get into these until you are 18.  Then you can take a GED program at an adult school or extension school or a community college.

Answer 7

The good news is you should find it easier to learn now because you are motivated.  First contact your local high school and see if they are willing to take you in and give you some extra tuition to help you catch up.  Also look at on line tuition, there are many good programmes, if you look back at questions already asked you might get some suggestions.  Getting the odd book from the library is not going to help, you need something more structured.

I do wonder what your parents and the state thought they were doing allowing you to totally drop through education net.

Answer 8

If you are near a community college contact it.  They usually have GED prep programs.   Some school systems also offer night classes for students who need to catch up with  course or two.    By 21 you could have a degree not just a diploma.

Answer 9

Seriously?  I have a fifth grader, and you write much more clearly than most fifth graders I know.  Actually, you write much more clearly than many high schoolers I know.  If your writing is this clear, I can't imagine that your reading is lacking for much.

How do you get your education up to par?  Get your backside over to the library and start reading.  Your local school district should have a scope and sequence available (this is what to learn and in which order), it may even be online; get ahold of it, set a courseload for yourself, and get to work.  

ADD is not an excuse; it just means that you will have to approach your work a little differently.  Let yourself learn in short sessions - 20-30 minutes at a time - and give yourself breaks in between.  Learn with books, movies, and projects - not workbooks.

Quite frankly, how did your parents not assist you in learning when you were 10 years old?  I can sort of see them expecting you to be independent now, but at 10?  I don't expect that of my 10yo (even though he is independent in a large percentage of his schoolwork), but I monitor him and help him where he needs it.

For someone who seemingly has no education, you seem to be doing fairly well.  Get a GED prep book, figure out where you need work, and then get to work.  At 16, you should be eligible for concurrent enrollment at a community college, so you should be able to get math, English, science, history, even foreign languages there.  Don't let the ADD be a crutch - learn how to learn, even if you have to work around it.  You're going to have to do so for the rest of your life, so now is a good time to jump in and figure out how.  (Honestly, a large percentage of people who are diagnosed with ADD don't actually have it...they are kinesthetic learners and have a hard time focusing on rote learning, which is how most classrooms are run.  There's a good chance, just statistically, that you simply need to learn by hearing and moving or "doing".  You don't seem like you have a hard time focusing, if something is presented properly.)

You are old enough to take responsibility for your education, even if your parents aren't on board.  There are online schools, discount curriculum providers, and a public library all at your disposal.  You just have to choose to do it.  Go for it!

Answer 10

You might want to take a placement test with AOP and start doing their materials at whatever level you place in.  If you place at 5th or 6th grade level you will have to work extra hard to catch up, but you can do it.

Or you could study for the GED, but you might have a lot of catching up to do for that anyway, and a year or two of regular school might bring you up.

ONe thing you might try for Math is SAXON 8/7.  It is a remedial program and will start with addition and bring up to the level where you will be prepared for Pre-algebra in one year.

Saxon is available from http://www.rainbowresource.com

AOP from http://www.aop.com

If you decide on the GED, Saxon 8/7 will probably still be a good idea to prepare for it.

BTW your writing skills are fine, so your reading skills probably are too, you might find that Math is all you have to catch up on.

Answer 11

Actually from your spelling and grammar, you'd easily pass the english section right now. That's impressive if you're self taught. Hire a tutor to help you (college students will usually do it cheap), and you should be just fine. Good luck!

Answer 12

You are not a fifth grade drop out.  Look at how you write.  

People do not need to get a GED. You do not need to finish one specific set of books to be educated. In fact if you tested right now, I can assure you that you probably test as high as the majority of kids your age. You learn by doing whether it is doing a certain curriculum or researching on the web.  

  Just take a college class in a subject that interests you.  Do you like computers?  Then take a class in programming or web design.  Everyone has an interest.  What is yours? Music? Do you play an instrument?  Just research the topic that interests you.  That is learning.

You sound like you have a self esteem problem, but I promise it is fixable.  You are probably not "behind" in any major way. You have just learned in a non-traditional way.  And that is wonderful.  Start where you are.  Take a college class, get a job, start a business, whatever.  And watch yourself exceed.

Answer 13

first of all..

and I'm going say this as nice as I can.

Why the rajke would you wait so long to deal with this problem?

Don't use something like ADD as an excuse.

You are responsible for yourself if your parents

aren't going to be.

If you continue to be "lazy...and not concentrate"

don't give up and keep trying.

maybe go back to school... like night school

or Internet school.

You don't need a HS diploma for some jobs...

but expect a low income and people to bother you for the rest of your life.

Answer 14

go to a local hangout and make some awesome friends

bring all your friends together one day to help to catch up

Answer 15

If you are actually serious about getting a high school education...first see if your county has a county board of education.  (Most US counties in most states actually do).

IF you have a county board of education, explain to them that you need to get up to high school level in all subjects, and that your goal is to take the G.E.D.  You'll find that your G.E.D. classes SHOULD be free btw.

IF you don't have a county board of education, to explain your goals to,

then call your state board of education.  Explain your situation to them.

Keep pestering who I've suggested.  They should be able to help you.  Good luck to you.

Answer 16

I agree with previous post.  Your grammar, writing and spelling seem to indicate that unschooling must work for you.

Go get you a GED study book from the library.  Take a few practice tests in different areas.  Study.  Read.

It was a few years ago, but my mother passed the GED without any preparation.  She has always been an avid reader.  She took a community college placement test and scored very high and went into a government funded secretarial class.  She started work at age 30 after being a housewife and mother for 14 years. She was a drop-out from school but kept learning those 14 years by reading.

Answer 17

Look into the possibility of adult education. One of our sons was having difficulty, and asked to take the classes. They actually worked out very well for him. Although we had given him a good background, he needed the extra help.

If you are taking any drugs for your ADD, stop taking them! They dull your mind.

If you can take adult education classes (and you may have to wait until you are 18, but believe it or not, you can learn enough in just three years to pass your GED!), then I think it will probably work out for you.

Good luck!

Answer 18

Get this book; it will prepare you for the GED,, and it includes many practice tests.

http://www.amazon.com/McGraw-Hills-GED-C...

You can also take classes at a alternative high school, or adult education center if you'd prefer that over studying on your own.

FYI; for supposedly only having a 5th grade level education you write, and put a sentence together better than most who are in college.

It does not seem to me that you would be stuck, unless you choose to be.

Good luck.

Answer 19

hmmm...is this a lie??? Your spelling and grammar seems very good for a 5th grade drop out.

Answer 20

Oh man I can relate I got taken out of school in the 8th grade and I am about to turn 19 on the 28th of this month.

I had to get out of there.

I was constantly being bullied it was too much.

I need help as well.

I barely go outside unless I throw out garbage or to get the mail etc. Not much fun with my life. I have pretty much been indoors since I left school except I went out little bits at first but now I don't go out anymore. My mom now has Osteopedia so I have no one to take me out. All alone here in New Jersey it sucks. I live in Monroe Township. I really need help. My parents don't give a **** about me. My dad hates me so I am screwed here. He says I am nothing to him he isn't even helping me with anything. I feel lonely everyday of my life. I have a brother and sister that both hate me and the only one I really have is the dog and my mom is nice sometimes but she is too unhappy to see how much of *** she is being towards me. Someone help!!!!

Answer 21

You write quite well, and it appears that your writing is beyond a 5th grade level.  No, you are not stuck, and there are many paths to obtaining a GED/high school diploma.

As far as the GED is concerned, go to the library and ask the librarian to help you find a book that outlines the GED requirements/prerequisites.  There is a online site that gives you all the materials you need to study for your GED at no cost; the link is below:

http://ged.free-ed.net/free-ed/ged/

Believe me, you have the motivation and intelligence to complete your GED and enter college.  You are a smart young man.  If focusing is a problem for you, then I suggest that you study for a half hour to an hour, take a short (10 to 15 minute break), and then return to studying.  This works for many who have problems concentrating.

I hope this information is helpful.

Answer 22

This is a tricky situation because (1) you may need help to learn what you'll need to know and (2) if while getting help if any authorities suspect that your parents denied you school, they could be held accountable by the law. I hope that you can get the help you need without causing trouble. Do check out a GED book at the library and see for yourself where you stand.

Answer 23

i dont know...i think 16 is the legal age to drop out of high school you can probably get back in if you please into your neighborhood high school

Answer 24

I think at 16 you can take your ged

Answer 25

Get someone to get you back in school, Aunt, Uncle, people next door.

Answer 26

Ok, don't use ADD as a problem! My 10 year old overcame ADD with just a little confidence. She was almost 2 years behind and I was told she'd never be able to learn and she was mentally handicapped. I didn't accept that and told her neither would she and she started homeschooling. If a child has ADD then it just means that they learn slower than others their age.

Having said that..... you can do lots on your own. Do you live near a library??? If so, go and start checking out books. Don't let anyone stop your dreams and don't believe that you can't do something because you can do anything that you set your mind to. I have posted 2 online sites that you can start working on your GED. There are lots of places that do free GED training so you can pass the tests. It's kinda like school...you go and work on things there while someone is available to help you if you don't get something.

Hope this helps and please don't give up on yourself! You can do it .... just determine that you will and go from there!

One more thing after I posted I read through some of the other postings AND...... I disagree with a previous post about the drugs for ADD dulling your brain. For some this may be true but I'm 32 years old and last month I told my daughter's psychiatrist that I was having issues in college with focusing. I took a test that showed I had ADD. I got put on the lowest dose of Concerta and I'm doing great now! So if you are on medicine and it's working then please continue to do what's best for you.

Answer 27

Hi there,

Contact your local school office and ask them how to go about getting a GED.  They can probably hook you up with a tutor and tell you what steps you need to take, or at least refer you to the correct starting point.  Don't give up!  If you're willing to study you can do it.  Good luck.

Answer 28

It seems to me your parents dropped the ball here.  I homeschool my three kids.  It can be challenging but  it's my responsibility to ensure that they're being educated. They get lazy, too, and sometimes don't want to do their school work but it's up to me as their mother and educator to address those problems as they arise.   I don't know about your area but where I live, you can be homeschooled online.  Maybe you could take responsibility for your education yourself and do what your parents failed to do.  All the best!

Answer 29

1 word- library

Answer 30

What do you specifically need to know? Your writing looks fine, and I would suspect your reading is fine. Have you done any math? If not, try a placement test over at Saxon Math and see where you're at. Take it from there. Or find some books geared towards adults to teach them math. Your library probably has some.

If you want your GED, go find out about it. There's probably tons of information online and your local librarian will probably be able to suggest stuff, too. You should have no problem in getting your GED before you're 21. (Although I admit to being confused about the connection with getting kicked out at 21 and needing your GED by that point...)

Answer 31

YOU REALLY HAVE AN INTERESTING PROBLEM. THINGS MAY NOT BE AS BAD AS YOU THINK. I SAY THIS BECAUSE YOU TO HAVE ASKED THIS QUESTION HAVE TO BE ABLE TO READ AND WRITE AND USE A COMPUTER. MY SUGGESTION IS TO POSE THIS QUESTION TO SOMEONE IN THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY. PERHAPS THE PRINCIPAL OF YOUR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL. IF YOU HAVE A CAREER IN MIND THIS MAY HELP. REMEMBER THIS MOST OF WHAT YOU LEARN IN SCHOOL ON YOUR WAY TO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION HAS REALLY VERY LITTLE TO DO WITH GETTING A GOOD JOB THAT YOU ENJOY. YOU MAY GO ON TO PASS ON THE GED IDEA AND MOVE RIGHT ALONG INTO A CAREER PATH THAT YOU WILL REALLY ENJOY.  THE BEST OF LUCK     BOB