| ign="center"> | | | | programs and job preparation increases, but at the |
| | | | same time, funding for these programs often remains |
| During the recent economic downturn, many adult | | | | tight, or gets even tighter because of budget cuts. |
| Americans without their high school diploma have | | | | When The GED Academy was first formed, it |
| realized the necessity of a GED in todayâs | | | | recognized that there is a greater need for GED |
| job market. Throughout the country, GED programs | | | | preparation than the current adult education |
| have seen an increase in learners looking to earn a | | | | infrastructure can handle. Technology provides one |
| GED and increase their job opportunities. This has | | | | option for both adult education programs and |
| caused a problem in many areas, because with over | | | | individual learners to expand GED preparation. The |
| 39 million adult Americans lacking a high school | | | | GED Academy Prep Program is an online |
| degree, GED programs arenât large enough | | | | study-at-home program that offers individualized help |
| to fill the real need for GED diplomas. | | | | for students at different learning levels. Software |
| Becky Atwood, coordinator of adult education and | | | | programs like the GED Academy Prep Program can |
| literacy for the Cape Girardeau School District in | | | | be used by individuals or implemented by adult |
| Missouri, faced a waiting list of more than 100 | | | | education programs to expand their capacity. |
| potential students last year. Though the waiting list | | | | Adult learners often find it difficult to make the |
| cleared, now it is back to 80. A waiting list can be | | | | commitment to go to GED classes and get a diploma. |
| discouraging for students looking to earn a GED, and | | | | Waiting lists, problems with money, problems with |
| reaching each individual student is a problem. The | | | | transportation and child care, or simply fear and lack |
| school district has started using orientations to | | | | of self-confidence can stand in the way. The more |
| prepare students for GED preparation and to ask for | | | | programs are available, and the more flexible they |
| a commitment from learners. The focus is on finding | | | | are to fit with adult learnersâ lifestyles and |
| the students willing to stick with the program, who | | | | learning needs, the more people will be able to earn a |
| will get the most benefit from it. | | | | GED, raising the overall level of education in the U.S. |
| When the economy slows down, demand for GED | | | | |