Summary of Research Findings on the Military General Educational Development Program.

摘要

This report summarizes and integrates the findings of research studies dealing with the military General Educational Development (GED) program. The major areas covered include: (1) the field conduct of the GED PROGRAM, (2) characteristics of GED program participants, (3) a comparison of the utility of the GED certificate with that of the high school diploma both in-service and post-service, and (4) the impact of attaining a GED certificate. The findings show that GED program participants had lower average aptitude scores than high school diploma holders, but higher ones than non-participant non-graduates. A higher proportion of certificate holders planned service careers in comparison with their peers. They had higher pay grade at separation than non-certificate holders but lower ones than diploma holders. The GED certificate was regarded less highly than the high school diploma, but was perceived to have considerable value in both in-service and post-service environments. This was particularly true in-service where the certificate was accepted officially as meeting the requirements for a secondary education credential. The impact of receiving a certificate was reported to be favorable by both certificate holders and non-certificate holders. The major effects of receiving a certificate were seen as increased confidence in personal ability and increased feelings of general well-being. (Author)