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State program boosts quality of life*

By JAMES G. NEELEY
Commissioner of Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development

James Neeley

"What the scoring standard tells us is that, once one has achieved the GED diploma, there is a guarantee to an employer that the individual can read, write, and do math at a high school level, has demonstrated an ability and willingness to learn, and has proven that he/she will make the necessary sacrifices to finish something started."

One in every five Tennesseans does not have a high school diploma. In an age when the jobs of tomorrow have not yet been created, educating our work force has never been more crucial.

Tennessee's adult-education program provides the necessary basic education for individuals without a diploma who are looking to improve their job opportunities. Almost 96 percent of those who take the General Educational Development exam tell us they are doing so to increase their employment options through obtaining a new job, securing a promotion in their current job, or moving on to occupational or post-secondary education to train for a whole new career. These individuals have realized that without a basic high school credential, opportunities for employment advancement and higher wages are extremely limited.

GED testing rigorous

There are many misconceptions about the GED diploma. Some think that it is a subpar credential that most anyone could earn. In reality, the GED exam is a 7½-hour comprehensive exam that measures reading, writing and math skills along with the areas of science, social studies and literature. The scoring standard is set by the GED Testing Service, which functions under the American Council on Education, so that 40 percent of seniors, on track to graduate and in the spring of their graduating year, cannot pass the exam.

Why is this significant, and what does it say to employers?

What the scoring standard tells us is that, once one has achieved the GED diploma, there is a guarantee to an employer that the individual can read, write, and do math at a high school level, has demonstrated an ability and willingness to learn, and has proven that he/she will make the necessary sacrifices to finish something started.

Those taking the GED exam are getting younger and younger. Last year, our adult-education program served almost 7,000 students 17-18 years old, and almost 10,000 who were 19-24 years old. These individuals have 40 to 50 years left in the work force. We must invest in them now so that they have the ability to earn higher wages to improve their quality of life.

The new $2.5 million appropriation from the General Assembly tells me that there is recognition of the importance adult education plays in the educational fabric of our state. When a business is looking to relocate to Tennessee, they want to know the educational level of an area. GED diplomas help raise the educational level of Tennessee, which in turn can help attract better-paying jobs.

I am proud that this state is beginning to recognize the contribution our adult-education program makes to the educational level and economic development of our state. Investing in adult education results in a better-educated work force, parents better-equipped to help their children in school, higher revenue for our tax base, and stronger communities. By investing in adult education, we are investing in Tennessee's future.

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*Used with permission from the