They are basically one in the same now in terms of what is required to earn them. The GED is essentially the same as the SOL's and everyone knows kids are being prepared for a test in schools now just to take the SOL's. Its unfortunate but at the same time, your education is what you make of it anyway. A kid that puts forth their best effort and has a 4.0+ gpa gets sacked with the same problem when he/she fills out an application that doesnt ask for a GPA but simply "high school diploma" thus lumping them in with someone that has a 2.0 GPA. I guess thats where its important to turn in your resume with your credentials and even state your GPA. There are some jobs that its not necessary because they want a skill set. Someone might be a terrible student in the traditional classroom but be very good with their hands and a high school dropout yet have a necessary skill to perform a job. I had a student that had an IQ of around 60, never passed an SOL, and never made it past a 6 grade reading level. Hes currently making more than I do because hes good with his hands and is willing to do backbreaking type work. I commend him though.