HSED

HSED or High School Equivalency Diploma{{citation|url=http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/HSED|publisher=Farlex|title=HSED|journal=The Free Dictionary|accessdate=2009-06-24}} or HEP{{citation|url=http://www.ed.gov/programs/hep/index.html|accessdate=2009-06-24|publisher=U.S. Department of Education|title=Migrant Education--High School Equivalency Program }} is comparable to achieving a high school diploma instead of simply proving the skills by taking the GED. Sometimes it can be synonymous.{{citation|url=http://www.education.alberta.ca/students/grad/hsed.aspx|publisher=Government of Alberta|accessdate=2009-06-24|page=About High School Equivalency Diploma}} When spelled HSed it can mean home schooled.

In some places, such as Wisconsin, the HSED is equivalent to a high school diploma because the Department of Public Instruction awards the credential. It is different from the GED, which only certifies the individual has the equivalent of a traditional high school education. Similar programs can be found in other states such as California.{{citation|url=http://www.chspe.net/about/|publisher=Sacramento County Office of Education |title=California High School Proficiency Examination|accessdate=2009-06-24|page=About the Test}}

There are five ways to achieve the HSED according to the Wisconsin State Law establishing the HSED:

:*PI 5.05 - Take the GED tests and pass three other skill required courses plus a career counseling section.

:*PI 5.06 - Complete unfinished high school credits at a local high school or college.

:*PI 5.07 - Attain 24 semester or 32 quarter credits at a university or technical college; electives are allowed.

:*PI 5.08 - Have a foreign degree or diploma.

:*PI 5.09 - Go through an approved special high school completion program offered by a technical college or other group.{{citation

|title = Opening Doors:High School Equivalency Program or GEDCertificate

|publisher = Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

|url = http://dpi.wi.gov/ged_hsed/pdf/gedhsed.pdf

|accessdate = 2009-06-24

|url-status = dead

|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090802053106/http://www.dpi.wi.gov/ged_hsed/pdf/gedhsed.pdf

|archivedate = 2009-08-02

}}

There are currently no venues for achieving a valid GED or HSED credential online. A number of diploma mills{{citation|url=http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/test/Intro_TestTaker.htm|accessdate=2011-10-25|title=Introduction for GED Test-Takers|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024202639/http://www.acenet.edu/Content/NavigationMenu/ged/test/Intro_TestTaker.htm|archivedate=2011-10-24}} claim to offer such a service, but they are unofficial and invalid.