| In the 16 states that fund the Southern Regional | | | | 2008, Kentucky awarded 10,307 GED credentials, |
| Education Board, more than 10 million adults have no | | | | with 21% of 2007 graduates enrolling in college within |
| high school credential, including over 3 million adults | | | | two years. |
| who did not complete 9th grade. The report A Smart | | | | The report also recommends wise investment in |
| Move in Tough Times: How SREB States Can | | | | adult learning. A key part of this is recognizing that |
| Strengthen Adult Learning and the Work Force | | | | adult education is an investment in a better work |
| argues for efficient investment in adult education to | | | | force, a better economy, and increased state |
| provide GED preparation and adult education to those | | | | revenue. The report also cites the importance of |
| without a high school diploma, citing that | | | | using technology to advance adult learning, saying |
| undereducated adults earn less, contribute less in | | | | that the use of technology in adult education lags |
| taxes, and cause a drain on the health care system. | | | | behind K-12 schools. Technology offers an efficient |
| "When states provide adult learning programs that | | | | way to reach the large numbers of adults who need |
| lead to GED credentials," it states, "they make a solid | | | | GED preparation. "More online options for adult |
| investment in their work forces, businesses and | | | | learning would give busy working adults the |
| industries, communities and nation." | | | | opportunity to take courses at their own |
| Southern states are falling behind in efforts to reach | | | | convenience," the report says. Marketing adult |
| adults and improve GED achievement rates, according | | | | education to those who need it is also a focus of the |
| to the report. The report shows enrollment in adult | | | | report. |
| secondary education programs down in 12 states | | | | The report's final area of recommendation is |
| between 2005 and 2008. In 2008, only 1.5 percent of | | | | improving coordination and governance of adult |
| adults without a high school diploma in the | | | | education. A coordinated, state-wide effort eliminates |
| organization's region earned a GED credential in 2008. | | | | duplication and waste and creates a more efficient |
| The first recommendation of the report is for states | | | | program. |
| to set goals for GED credential achievement and | | | | GED and GED Testing Service are registered |
| adult education. Kentucky set a goal to award 15,000 | | | | trademarks of the American Council on Education |
| GED credentials each year, with 35% of adults who | | | | (ACE). Use of the GED trademark does not imply |
| earn them enrolling in postsecondary institutions. In | | | | support or endorsement by ACE. |