subject: GED Program Completion Rising [print this page] GED Program Completion Rising GED Program Completion Rising
Over 39 million adult Americans are at a disadvantage in the job market and unable to qualify for higher education because they lack a high school diploma or GED. Especially in an uncertain job market with increased competition, those without a high school diploma or GED credential are at a disadvantage. More and more undereducated adults are seeking help from GED programs across the country in order to earn a GED credential.
A cooperative GED program between Edgecombe Community College and the Opportunities Industrialization Center in North Carolina graduated a record number of GED students in 2010. The total number of GED earners is 67, almost double the 34 graduates from the previous year.
The free Martha O'Bryan Center GED program in Nashville, Tennessee had three times as many graduates who earned GED credentials this year than last. At graduation time, with 90 graduates, the program found they had too few caps and gowns for the ceremony. Herff Jones company donated 27 caps and gowns so that the graduates could attend the ceremony in full regalia. This problem is welcome to GED programs, who want to see more adults achieve a GED credential. Still, it is emblematic of the issues that GED programs face when demand for GED credentials is high.
In addition to adult schools, community colleges, and other schools, libraries often offer help for GED candidates. The Tompkins County, New York library is able to reach a broad range of adults who need help preparing for the GED Test, through offering free GED preparation courses online. With a public library card, Tompkins County residents can access courses to prepare for the GED. This model of online education reaches more adults for less cost, helping fill the demand for GED preparation.
High demand for GED preparation means a strain for GED programs to fill the needs of the community. Even with record numbers of graduates, adult education programs only reach a small number of the 39 million adult Americans who have no high school diploma. A shift to online preparation, in conjunction with classroom efforts, is needed to truly fill the demand for further education.
(GED and GED Testing Service are registered trademarks of the American Council on Education (ACE). Use of the GED trademark does not imply support or endorsement by ACE.)
