The GED Program & Outcomes for Disadvantaged Students

Abstract

The GED certification program started as an alternative education route for war veterans. It has greatly expanded to serve individuals of all ages and backgrounds who lack a high school diploma. Over one-half million test-takers attempt the exam annually, hoping to gain better employment or to seek an opportunity to go to college. However, the imperfections in the market lead to a disparity between desired outcomes of the GED program and those experienced in the market. With rising dropout rates in schools across the country and increasing popularity of the program as an alternative education route, policies must be enacted to align program goals with outcomes in order to better serve the disadvantaged population of dropouts. The policies discussed include a restructuring of the GED institutional procedures, providing a clear bridge to college enrollment, implementing referral services, and revising curriculum tailored to individual needs.