Emerging Research Findings:
Adult Learning and Literacy
The GED: Whom does it help?
Our research on the economic benefits of acquiring a credential of General Educational Development (GED) shows that a GED can have a substantial impact on earnings, especially for young white dropouts. It is necessary to have an understanding of the mechanisms through which a GED might have an impact on the earnings of dropouts. For example, many post-secondary education and training programs are denied to uncredentialed drop outs, but open to GED holders. To the extent that post-secondary education and training lead to increased earnings, then the GED's function as a 'gateway' to these programs would result in higher earnings for GED holders. In addition, employers value and use the GED as a signal of skills and attitudes they consider to be important in jobs.Source: John H. Tyler,GED Impact Study, National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy.
What is the effectiveness of adult literacy education in the United States?
A recent study provides evidence that, in general, it is likely that participants in adult literacy education receive gains in employment; participation in adult education results in earnings gain, and has a positive influence on participants' continued education. Through a comprehensive literature search, approximately 115 studies were identified that looked at the changes in learners that occur as a result of their participation in adult literacy education and the changes that occur in the family, community, and larger society as a consequence of participation. Case studies were prepared from 23 of the most credible studies and presented in five categories: national, state level, welfare, family literacy and workplace literacy. The 23 studies represented evidence rather than proof of impact and their findings were weighed in order to reach reasonable conclusions.
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