Benefits of G.E.D. 'Significant,' Study Concludes

By Mark Pitsch

WASHINGTON-- Iowans who earned General Educational Development certificates in the 1980's experienced substantial gains in employment, earnings and benefits, job skills, and job satisfaction, according to one of the first longitudinal studies of those who passed the G.E.D. test.

"There is value in taking the G.E.D.; it is unequivocal," John Hartwig, the Iowa G.E.D. administrator, said in releasing the study here last week. "The accrued benefits of taking the G.E.D. are significant, positive, and lasting over time."

According to its authors, Mr. Hartwig and Hal Beder, a researcher at Rutgers University, the study is one of the first to determine the value of the G.E.D. program, which is administered by the American Council on Education and...