Dropouts - The Nation's Cost

A new study has found that "the collective cost to the nation over the working life of each high school dropout (is) $292,000."

Sam Dillon wrote about the study for The New York Times yesterday in his article, "Study Finds High Rate of Imprisonment Among Dropouts."

Researchers at Northeastern University used census and other government data to carry out the study, which tracks the employment, workplace, parenting and criminal justice experiences of young high school dropouts.

They found that minority males are at the highest risk of dropping out of high school and ending up in prison. What does this mean to those of us involved in adult education? It means that GED programs can save lives, save prison visits, and save the nation money.

Help just one person earn a GED, and you'll be contributing more to the country than griping about health care reform.

GED information:

GED Overview - What is it?
10 GED Prep Resources
The GED Test - What's on it?