Encouraging GED grads to pursue college
By CCTIMES, Published June 4, 2008

To increase the number of GED graduates who go on to pursue a college degree, LaGuardia Community College (LCC) in New York has developed multiple initiatives to help students follow the path to higher education.

The college’s adult and continuing education and academic affairs divisions have created two transitional programs—GED Bridge to Health Careers and the GED Bridge to Business Careers—that offer specialized curricula to prepare students for the high school equivalency exam and at the same time begin introducing them to their field of study.

“By linking students’ GED preparatory classes to college coursework, we are helping GED students make a seamless transition to college,” said Jane MacKillop, associate dean for adult and continuing education.

Historically, GED programs have prepared students for the high school equivalency exam with little emphasis on encouraging them to continue their education, according to college officials. A national survey shows that only 27 percent of GED recipients go on to college or additional vocational training, compared to 70 percent of students with a high school diploma.

LaGuardia has already substantially closed the gap with its students. Thirty-five percent of students who pass the GED after taking preparation classes go on to begin an associate degree at the college, according to college officials. The goal of the Bridge programs is to boost the transfer rate to college and postsecondary training from about 35 percent to 60 percent in the pilot years and improve the retention rate during the first year of college.

“GED has been viewed as the end to many students’ educational experience,” MacKillop said. “Now it is seen as a springboard to college.”

The Bridge to Health program, funded by the mayor’s office of adult education, kicked off last year with more than 50 students. Graduates of the program will be prepared to either enroll in an associate degree program or attend a vocational training program in a health care area. 

Amy Dalsimer, a GED Bridge Program developer, said the health program already had positive outcomes. Seventy percent of test takers in the first class passed the GED. Of those students, half have already made a successful transition either to college or a certification program, or they have upgraded their employment in the health field, college officials said.

The 18-month Bridge to Business program, which is funded by the MetLife Foundation, began in March with 45 students. The goal is to prepare students to enroll in one of the college’s business and technology degree programs.

The centerpiece of the GED Bridge programs is a specialized curriculum, in which students improve reading, writing and math, while focusing on a business or health theme.

“While traditional GED courses focus solely on teaching students the math, reading and writing skills they need to pass their high school equivalency exam, the Bridge programs also expose them to coursework they will see when they enter college,” said Mae Dick, director of the college’s Adult Learning Center. “This approach makes the experience relevant to their vocational interests and allows them to develop their professional identity.”

Another feature that differentiates the two programs from traditional counterparts is a support network that includes intensive college preparatory workshops, computer literacy training, individualized counseling and career guidance, and career exploration and job readiness workshops. Students are also able to enroll in college credit classes and participate in internships.