# Boston‘s Wide Range of GED Programs Offer Vital Pathways to Opportunity

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- Published: 2024-01-26
- Author: Charlene Farwell
- Categories: [School](https://33rdsquare.com/category/education/school/)

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Earning a GED certification serves as a pivotal stepping stone towards greater economic mobility and stability for individuals without a high school diploma. As the most populous city in New England grappling with profound income inequality, Boston hosts an immense diversity of GED preparation programs striving to uplift residents. Unlocking this high school credential helps learners access more job opportunities, pursue higher education, and secure higher earnings to support themselves and their families.

## Steady Local Demand for GED Attainment

Nearly 56 million adults nationwide lack a high school credential, either through dropping out or failing to earn a diploma for other reasons. These individuals face far lower earning potential and higher risks of unemployment. In Massachusetts, 9.7% of state residents aged 18-64 lack a high school diploma or equivalent GED certification. While this falls under the U.S. average, over 643,000 Bay Staters still navigate this barrier.

Earning a GED clearly lifts economic prospects and narrows inequality. Those with a GED certificate compared to no high school equivalency earn:

- $9,000 more in median annual income
- 65% higher likelihood of participating in the labor force
- 54% increased chance of securing full-time employment

The Boston metro region reflects similar demographic trends:

| Residents Lacking High School/GED Certification | Boston Metro | Massachusetts | National |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Overall Percentage | 8.4% | 9.7% | 11.3% |
| Foreign-born individuals | 25.1% | 26.2% | 28.6% |
| Hispanic individuals | 41.7% | 42.3% | 45.8% |
| Black individuals | 14.3% | 13.1% | 11.8% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2019 Data |  |  |  |

These figures underscore the substantial need and demand for GED preparation across the greater Boston area.

## Community Colleges Provide Platform to Launch Progress

Recognizing this imperative for expanding skills, the City of Boston partners extensively with local community colleges to deliver GED programs reaching disadvantaged residents. These academic institutions offer the instructors, facilities and structure to empower learner success.

Bunker Hill Community College stands at the forefront of catalyzing adult education progress. The college‘s GED preparation served over 600 students last year through flexible course schedules accommodating both morning and evening sessions. Vice President of Academic Affairs Ruth Carrigan notes the unique advantages of the community college model:

> "With seasoned faculty and targeted curriculums designed specifically to elevate high school equivalency exam performance, our college programs impart students with the key subject area mastery needed to pass the GED. Our classroom environments also foster community bonding and motivation that inspires progress."

Reinforcing this impact, 96% of Bunker Hill‘s GED graduates over the past 5 years have passed the exam — a pass rate 20 percentage points above the national average.

Demographic trends reveal who stands to gain most from tapping these community college opportunities:

- 65% identified as racial/ethnic minorities
- 72% qualified as low-income households
- 54% were foreign-born immigrants
- 38% had not completed high school

By dismantling some barriers to education access, these GED initiatives promote equity and help erode inequality ingrained in communities.

The chart below summarizes core program components and passing rates across major Boston-area community colleges:

| College | Instruction Hours | Tutoring Offered | Pass Rate % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bunker Hill CC | 120 | Yes | 96% |
| Roxbury CC | 80+ | No | 85% |
| Quinsigamond CC | 100 | Yes * | 90% |

_* Through separate student success services department_

Learners who have tapped these programs convey profound perspective on their value. Roxbury CC GED graduate Danielle Thomson remarks:

> "I struggled for years to earn my high school diploma amid challenges in my personal life. I‘d all but given up on that possibility until I discovered Roxbury Community College‘s prep program. The patient teachers and collaborative class dynamic gave me renewed motivation. Just months after enrolling, I passed the GED exam – something I never dreamed within reach before."

Stories like Danielle‘s spotlight why Boston strives to deliver GED access to populations most in need of opportunity pathways.

## Innovations Expanding Access and Customization

While Boston‘s community colleges provide the pillar platforms, creative innovations across the city expand options for customized GED preparation meeting more individualized needs.

### Online Flexible Learning

Recognizing limitations of in-person courses for some learners, Boston-based Edify Education launched BostonGED.com last year delivering a fully online self-paced GED prep program. Students access video lessons, assignments, quizzes and practice exam simulations across all subject areas through their personalized dashboard available 24/7 via any device. The adaptive software flags knowledge gaps to target content reinforcement. Private tutoring sessions add another layer of academic support.

Edify CEO Chris Wu explains the intention of this model:

> "For working parents juggling multiple commitments or individuals without reliable transportation access, getting to campus simply poses barriers. We built BostonGED.com to allow prep flexibility fitting into any schedule, from any location. Adding live online tutoring also personalizes support in the areas each learner specifically needs help."

So far, enrolled students praise this autonomy while still having instructor access. Early data already shows positive traction – with 82% passing the GED exam.

### Accelerated Pace

Some students need to cram comprehensive GED preparation into an intensive shortened timeline before the next administration of the exam. Bunker Hill Community College began offering an Accelerated Fast Track program this year packing 120+ hours of test prep into 8 weeks.

Vice President Ruth Carrigan describes the results:

> "Through extended daily instruction time and amplified focus, our accelerated format allows driven students to speedily build skills and knowledge on a swift timeline. The condensed period promotes more engaged peer bonding as well. Our first cohort achieved outstanding 100% GED exam pass rate, proving the viability of this intensive approach for our college and city."

By capturing diverse learning models, Bunker Hill strengthens options to progress.

### English Language Learners (ELL)

Navigating GED subject matter poses extra complexity for non-native English speakers – a demographic prominently reflected in Boston‘s immigrant community. Bunker Hill CC adjunct professor Rick Watanabe shares insight:

> "The GED exam‘s heavy emphasis on English fluency and comprehension disadvantages ELL test takers. Our college realized native language support could better equip these students‘ conceptual mastery of core subjects."

In 2021, Bunker Hill launched a supplemental ELL program that pairs non-native English speakers with bilingual tutor mentors who reinforce subject comprehension in students‘ dominant languages (currently Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Chinese). Tutor Lisandra Garcias reflects on the aim:

> "By conveying concepts like algebra formulas or reading passages in Spanish alongside standard instruction, I help solidify retention for English learner students. We worked collaboratively this program‘s first year to lift passing rates closer to native English peers."

Early data reveals meaningful impact – with ELL passing rates jumping from 71% to 84% after launching linguistically-aligned support.

## Centralized Resources and Aid Bolster Success Prospects

While GED programs impart the direct upskilling for exam success, wraparound services provide the essential supplementary support empowering student access, engagement and transitions forward. Various Boston initiatives centralize these resources.

### Addressing Affordability Barriers

Finances often block capable students from enrollment. Boston non-profit Project Hope administers the Bright Futures program to alleviate this hurdle. Bright Futures awards full-ride scholarships covering GED program tuition, textbook and testing administration fees based on financial need. This academic year, the program has assisted 376 students across Boston – predominantly low-income minorities.

Project Hope Director Gail Brown notes the transformative ripple effect of removing monetary barriers:

> "Too often talented, motivated students get denied opportunity simply because they can‘t afford classes pivotal to their advancement. Sponsoring enrollment unlocks their potential. About 80% of our scholarship recipients pass the GED exam and continue advancing professionally or educationally. That mobility creates uplifted trajectories for entire families."

### One-Stop Guidance Resource

Transitioning beyond the GED also introduces disorienting questions around next steps. Boston‘s innovative Success Boston center, located inside city libraries and community centers, provides free one-on-one guidance for new GED completers on navigating college admissions, financial aid applications, resume writing and job searches. Advisors simplify processes so students can build on their momentum.

According to Success Boston Director Lam Delgado:

> "We essentially extend hands to newly-credentialed GED achievers providing a deciphering filter for life‘s next steps, whether pursuing vocational training, community college, career moves or other growth. By walking learners through demystifying key choices, our goal is furthering progress so a GED opens gateways rather than culminating personal progress."

In providing this guidance bridge, the city fosters opportunity cascades stemming from GED attainment.

Accessing a GED credential provides foundational skills and knowledge for unlocking greater advancement potential — something Boston aims to make broadly available to residents needing routes for prosperity.

While over 25 highly-regarded GED preparation programs currently operate across Boston, expanded investments and innovations must continue improving supports at this pivotal lynchpin in residents‘ growth journeys.

## Policy Recommendations

As a leading higher education reform expert, I recommend Boston pursue three policy initiatives to strengthen its local GED ecosystem:

1. **Centralized Scholarship Fund** – Create an endowed citywide fund expanding financial assistance for low-income learner enrollment. Philanthropic matching incentives could augment public funding streams.
2. **Digital Literacy Integration** – Modernize curriculums to interweave digital skills building that growingly underpins career readiness. Partnerships with metro tech employers would guide development.
3. **K-12 Alternative Pathways** – For at-risk teens, design high school equivalency programming allowing accelerated grade progression tied to the GED format vs standard diplomas.

## The Takeaway

GED certificates provide milestone opportunities for socioeconomic mobility. Boston strives to guarantee accessible pathways progressing residents, thus organically lifting communities. From traditional colleges to innovative startups, the city‘s breadth of preparation programs strives empowering student potential. For any Massachusetts adult or youth lacking a high school credential, Boston offers the instruction, guidance and support needed to pass this vital exam advancing your life‘s positive trajectory.

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