I think the issue the OP is trying to address is that in many or most areas, the school board will not issue a diploma without the child having attended a certain number of hours or credits or whatever *in* their classrooms. At least this is what homeschoolers have said, and thus if their kids don’t attend public schools at all the only option is a GED.
The excuse used is that kids need to attend their classrooms to get socialized or something. I suspect it has more to do with headcount that justifies federal aid dollars.
You are correct. But there is always a way do get to where you want to be.
Graduating summa from university renders the ‘stain’ of a GED moot, sorta. :^)
“Socialized” is a euphemism for adequately trained as socialist gibsmedats and to be reliable atheists. The reason for and goal of Common Core is to make the student competent enough and no more to fill out the welfare applications that will provide their meager livings. No dreams or ambitions allowed, peasant!