Latino Inaugural Gala 2009

The Pew Hispanic Center recently released a study based on newly released U.S. Census data showing that only 9% of Hispanic high school dropouts earn a GED credential, which would give them the ability to qualify for more jobs, earn higher wages, or pursue higher education. In comparison, 20% of black high school dropouts and 29% of whites earn a GED. In addition, Hispanic dropout rates are higher. Of Hispanic adults 20 and over in the United States, 41% do not have regular high school diplomas.

Occurring among the fastest-growing population demographic in the United States, this high percentage of dropouts with a low percentage of GED attainment is a serious concern. The most significant problem is among foreign-born Hispanics. Of foreign-born Hispanic adults, 52% are dropouts and may not know about the GED or how to get it. Only 5% of foreign-born Hispanic adults without a high school degree earn a GED. In 2008, this population was over 17 million, and the numbers keep growing.

While the study found a slightly higher unemployment rate among Hispanic GED-earners compared to high school graduates, it found that among those in the workforce, mean annual earnings were about the same. Among Hispanics who didn’t complete high school, the mean income of those who were employed full-time was ,635. Among GED-earners with full-time employment, the mean income was ,504. Among those with some college or more, the mean income was significantly higher, at ,621. The most significant advantage of the GED is the ability to pursue higher education and vocational training. Four in 10 dropouts who earn a GED or other alternative high school credential pursue additional education, compared to only 1 in 10 dropouts who don’t.

There is clearly a need for outreach to Hispanic communities, especially immigrant communities, to communicate the importance of the GED and provide support and preparation. The societal problems of a large undereducated adult population are enormous. Yet, communities are constantly faced with financial cuts to adult education and outreach programs, and adults struggling to survive in low-paying jobs rarely have the knowledge and resources to forge a path out of their situation.

GED preparation needs to be more easily fundable and accessible, and the key to this is technology. Though undereducated Hispanic populations are also among those with least access to computers and the Internet, increasing access to technology, digital literacy, and GED preparation can be achieved together through effective and inexpensive computer-based GED preparation, for a better result. Outreach and education for millions of undereducated immigrants is a daunting task, and it requires a shift that only technology can provide.

The full Pew Hispanic Center report is available at: http://pewhispanic.org/files/reports/122.pdf

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