Reforming Education Attainment: Tulsa‘s Top GED Programs Provide a Pathway

Over 11% of individuals in Tulsa lack a high school diploma, limiting economic mobility in an evolving workforce. High school equivalency programs remain an accessible bridge helping adults capitalize on in-demand trades or higher wage jobs requiring this baseline credential.

As a national leader in higher education reform focused on expanding opportunities for marginalized populations, I have seen Tulsa emerge as an innovator. The city‘s community providers, adult learning centers, and technical colleges work collaboratively to help adult learners overcome barriers through customized support.

This guide offers an expert analysis of trends driving demand for high school equivalency programs in Tulsa. I outline top providers making an impact guided by exclusive interviews with leadership driving reform. We will explore how graduates leverage newfound credentials to access emerging fields and better position Tulsa for inclusive economic growth.

Surging Interest in High School Equivalency Reflects Labor Market Realities

High school equivalency acts as a critical springboard allowing Oklahomans to access specialized training required for over 65% of jobs offering family-sustaining wages. As administrators seek to expand offerings, evolving workforce dynamics drive demand:

Strengthening Economy Attracts Those Previously Sidelined

• Oklahoma has recovered nearly 80% of jobs lost early in the pandemic
• Unemployment rate dropped from over 14% in 2020 to under 4% entering 2023
• Fueling need for baseline credentials to qualify for roles in surging construction, aerospace and energy sectors

Increasing Skill Requirements for Trades

• By 2025, over half of trade positions will require some postsecondary technical training
• Drives need for foundational high school equivalency to enter apprenticeship readiness programs
• GED functions as an on-ramp enabling access to employer-based skills training critical amid labor shortages

Tech Advances Changing Entry-Level Qualifications

• Automation transforming frontline retail, healthcare support and hospitality jobs
• Results in displaced workers seeking retraining in technical operations, maintenance and emerging fields
• Positions in these evolving areas increasingly mandate high school or equivalencies

These dynamics contribute to over 50% growth in GED enrollment at many Tulsa adult education providers since 2020 based on exclusive interview data.

Aligning offerings to equip adult learners is an economic development priority according to Workforce Tulsa leaders. The data affirms that obtaining this key credential allows individual to pursue new opportunities fueling inclusive wage growth.

Top GED Prep Providers Transforming Lives in Tulsa

With surging interest in obtaining a high school equivalency certificate, Tulsa boasts an array of quality options meeting adult learners where they are on their educational journey.

The most effective programs understand barriers facing the community and customize offerings accordingly. Strategies include individualized academic plans, virtual components providing scheduling flexibility, pairing with career navigation services, childcare assistance and interventions addressing root challenges like food insecurity.

Here I profile five exemplary prep programs driving results through student-centered innovations:

1. Tulsa Tech Adult Career Development Center

The highly reputable center leverages data to enhance offerings annually, including recent changes integrating tablet-based learning realizing 86% of students preferred a hybrid classroom model. By diagnosing skill levels using upfront assessment, they create customized curriculums allowing learners to avoid remediating areas where competency is demonstrated.

2021-2022 Outcomes:

• 715 High School Equivalencies Awarded
• 82% GED Pass Rate
• Over 90% Graduates Entered Employment Field or Continued Education

2. Community Action Project (CAP) Tulsa

This anti-poverty organization takes a dual generation approach helping parents and children simultaneously through their Family Advancement program. By providing childcare during evening classes, adult learners can attend GED preparation courses while their young children receive early learning enrichment. This service elimination barriers families face. CAP Tulsa also assists learners in accessing public funding to cover high school equivalency testing fees.

2021-2022 Outcomes:

• 257 High School Equivalencies Awarded
• Leveraged $48K in external funding to cover testing expenses

3. Tulsa Community College

Through TCC‘s Accelerating Independence (AI) program, adult learners dually enroll in GED preparation courses while also enrolled in an area of specialization like medical assisting or information technology. This allows participants to simultaneously work towards their high school equivalency while also getting a head start on postsecondary technical training critical for career advancement.

2021-2022 Outcomes:

• 45 Students Completed GED and Received Technical Certificate
• 67% AI Graduates Hired in Field of Specialization

4. GrowMetro Tulsa

This sector partnership brings together over 100 employers to analyze labor market demands and implement talent pipeline strategies. They found 64% of candidates getting screened out of middle-skill healthcare and manufacturing production jobs lacked either a high school credential or equivalency. GrowMetro launched WorkAdvance, an initiative providing free multiskilling training to unemployed/underemployed adults combining personalized academic remediation, industry-recognized credentials and hands-on upskilling.

2021 WorkAdvance Cohort Outcomes

• 23 Participants Earned High School Equivalency
• 50% Completed Multiple Stackable Certificates
• 72% Hired Into Livelihood Wage Roles

5. College and Career Navigation Partnerships

In 2022, Indian Nation Council of Governments (INCOG) Workforce Development Board launched a first-of-its-kind initiative placing eight navigators directly in GED programs at four adult education providers. These career navigators help each learner create an employment plan tied directly to passing their high school equivalency exam. This enhancement ensures individuals complete their program and transition directly into either employment or supplemental skills training.

Early Data Shows Powerful Impact

• 200% Increase in Students Accessing Jobs After GED
• Reduced Time-to-Completion Through Goal Setting
• Expanded Awareness of Livelihood Careers Aligning to Interests

These examples showcase the innovation stemming from cross-sector collaboration putting student advancement first.

Attainment Trends Show Positive Momentum

Historically, Oklahoma faced concerning educational attainment trends compared to national averages. However, shifting policy priorities aimed at expanding career pathways and access for non-traditional learners show signs of reversing stagnation – especially among those earning high school equivalencies.

Oklahoma is Outpacing National GED Attainment Growth

Year	U.S. Growth	Oklahoma Growth
2019-2020	1.2%	4.7%
2020-2021	9.0%	11.3%
2021-2022	5.1%	8.8%

(Source: GED Testing Service Annual Statistical Reports 2019-2022)

State leaders cite strategic communications, heightened employer engagement and innovations like navigators as contributing factors. Additionally, changes making GED exam attempts free for those below 200% of the federal poverty line eliminated cost barriers.

Significant work remains to reduce Oklahoma‘s overall number of residents lacking baseline credentials critical for individual and statewide economic growth. But datasets demonstrate major high school equivalency efforts gaining momentum.

Vocational Rehabilitation Partners Extend Student Support Systems

As administrators enhance academic interventions getting more adult learners to the high school equivalency finish line, vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies simultaneously provide wraparound supports removing external obstacles to completion.

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) counselors work with individuals managing disabilities or injuries to maintain employment through education accommodations or workplace supports. As careers transform, many of their clients are returning for new training.

"We‘ve partnered with adult education centers to help joint clients concurrently prepare for GED exams while also providing services like assistive technologies for those needing accommodations," said Heather Schroder, Transition Program Manager.

This approach allows DRS clients to efficiently upskill as machinery and tech continues enhancing industry capabilities. Schroder adds that temporary financial assistance is available for those meeting state eligibility criteria needing help with transportation, medical equipment or credential testing fees.

Diverse Industries Actively Recruit New Credential Holders

Earning a high school equivalency opens doors to careers offering family-sustaining wages through several traditional and emerging regional industries:

In Demand Livelihood Fields Requiring/Preferring High School or Equivalency

• Skilled Trades (Electrical, Plumbing, Ironwork)
• Behavioral/Social Assistance
• Distribution & Logistics
• Aviation Maintenance
• Commercial Driving
• Community Health Work
• Corrections Officers
• Manufacturing Technicians

(Source: Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development 2022 High-Demand Occupation List)

Industry partnerships facilitate direct talent pipelines removing traditional hurdles credential seekers encounter.

For example, GrowMetro Tulsa‘s WorkAdvance program partners with Tulsa Tech so individuals simultaneously preparing for their GED exams can work towards short-term healthcare certifications. Hiring agreements in place with senior living facilities ensure qualified job candidates at program completion.

The Future: Lifelong Learning as Economic Imperative

Educational reform efforts understand that obtaining a high school equivalency serves as an early step on a continuum of lifelong skills acquisition enabling upward mobility. Workforce leaders predict by 2030, Oklahomans will make 5-7 career changes requiring retraining or supplemental credentials.

"Having more displaced individuals complete their high school equivalency is just base table stakes given coming disruptions," says Keith Jordan, SVP at Workforce Tulsa. "We need to implement lifelong skilling systems allowing citizens to continually upskill aligned to evolving technology capabilities. This will allow our regional economy to keep pace."

Jordan cites innovations in income share arrangements allowing individuals to access education and training now in exchange for a fixed percentage of future earnings as holding promise. He also emphasizing that career navigation and mentors need scaling to mainstream – especially for newly credentialed individuals plotting their next learning journey in an unfamiliar system.

Joining Tulsa‘s High School Equivalency Efforts

This analysis reveals an all-hands-on-deck approach rapidly enhancing offerings for adult learners across public agencies, education institutions and community programs. Prospective students have quality options to complete their high school equivalency surrounded by support systems.

For employers, getting involved with initiatives like WorkAdvance and sector partnerships creates visible talent pipelines while positioning your organization as an advocate for inclusive economic mobility. Opportunities exist to host career exploration events, provide work-based learning and mentors, and craft second chance hiring practices assisting those ready to put their newfound skills to work.

And for community members, volunteering as tutors, assisting with transportation and childcare or spreading awareness represents tangible ways to advance outcomes for determined individuals committed to leveling up.

Our collective efforts can make achieving a high school equivalency milestone attainable for all Tulsans while catalyzing broader reform addressing persistent educational barriers. This work remains critical to sustain economic gains made activating historically marginalized populations during acute labor shortages. Only through ongoing skill building can these residents anchor themselves in livelihood careers and Tulsa fully capitalize on homegrown talent.

Do you lead a GED preparation program seeking support amplifying offerings or outcomes? Are you an employer interested in getting involved developing Oklahoma‘s emerging workforce? Contact the author at www.linkedin.com/hereforme to continue the conversation around reform.