This research analyzed linked high-quality state data from K-12, adult education, and postsecondary state datasets in order to better understand the association between student demographics and successful completion of a postsecondary program. Due to the relatively small sample size compared to the large number of features, we analyzed the data…

This study examines the perceptions of identity of a category of students that has rarely been studied in the context of higher education. These are adults who have participated in GED preparation or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses in Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs. A college education is increasingly necessary for…

A study examined the attitudes of Pennsylvania employers toward General Educational Development (GED) programs and the employment experiences of persons who have earned a GED certificate. The first of the study's surveys was mailed to 100 employers (including the 50 largest) throughout the state. Based on the surveys returned, the study sample was…

The 2012 edition of the "Digest of Education Statistics" is the 48th in a series of publications initiated in 1962. The "Digest" has been issued annually except for combined editions for the years 1977-78, 1983-84, and 1985-86. Its primary purpose is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field…

The 2011 edition of the "Digest of Education Statistics" is the 47th in a series of publications initiated in 1962. The "Digest" has been issued annually except for combined editions for the years 1977-78, 1983-84, and 1985-86. Its primary purpose is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field…

This annotated bibliography includes a separate entry for each of 57 research reports written about the General Educational Development (GED) tests. For inclusion, documents were required to meet three criteria. They must: (1) focus on outcomes of GED graduation; (2) present some form of empirical, research-based evidence concerning the outcomes…

Discusses a study of completers of the General Educational Development (GED) program. Concluded that (1) adult education is cost-effective; (2) concern for cost-effectiveness should not detract from other benefits; (3) completing the GED provides motivation to continue education; and (4) many perceive the GED certificate as a "second…

A General Educational Development (GED) certificate is not rigorous enough to substitute for a high school diploma and does not help the recipient economically or in college. Either stronger standards should be developed for GEDs, or dropout-prevention programs should be intensified. (SK)

In September 2006, the State Board approved a new System Direction to guide the two-year-college system for the next ten years. One of three primary goals for the system is to increase educational attainment for the economic development of the state and the economic well-being of Washingtonians. Since 2000, State Board staff has provided periodic…

The literacy skills of General Educational Development (GED) program graduates were compared to those of high school graduates and high school dropouts who did not pass the GED test. The sample of 1,012 young adults (ages 21 to 25 years) studied was obtained by selecting all Whites, African Americans, and Hispanics who were studied in the Young…

There is a strong and growing argument for higher educational attainment in the United States. The jobs that are expected to support the economy in the coming years will depend on a skilled workforce that is able to learn and adapt quickly to new challenges. However, demographic patterns demonstrate that relying on the traditional K-16 pipeline to…

After all had completed community college remedial reading courses, 47 General Educational Development graduates and 92 traditional high school graduates, all high risk, were compared. No significant differences appeared in grade point average, total credits, degree credits, retention rate, or average grade in English and health classes. (SK)

While the majority of adults who take the General Educational Development (GED) test do so in order to continue their education, few go on to enter postsecondary education. Yet, these same adults stand to make substantial economic and personal gains when they use their adult secondary credential to move from the ranks of high school dropout to…

Six issues of the newsletter of the General Educational Development Testing Service discuss developments of interest to users of the Tests of General Educational Development (GED) in the United States and Canada. The feature article of each issue is: (1) "Survey of Testing Centers Reveals Trends in Access to Technology"; (2)…

Many adult basic education programs use the Tests of General Educational Development (GED[R] Tests) to measure the skills and knowledge associated with a high school program of study as well as to assess the achievement gains of adult learners through participation in their programs. Using data from the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy…