The acronym GED which also stands for General Educational Development test, is a five subject exam.  Passing this exam certifies that the taker has high school level academic skills.  There are many reasons why a student leaves school without graduating. However, the lack of a high school diploma or GED usually means two things: limited career opportunities and lower earnings. 

Today, the armed services and many other promising, entry level positions such as physical therapy aide, human resources assistant and flight attendant requires a high school degree or GED. Over a lifetime people who pass the GED exam earn an average of $385,000 more than workers without this certification. This is equal to a raise of $12,000 a year.

As an educational advocate, I would like to see all students complete their grade school studies with a high school diploma. Nevertheless, I recognize that for young adults who do not graduate in the traditional way, a GED can give them a second chance at success. 

For example, before Greg Mathis became Michigan’s youngest superior court judge, he grew up in a Detroit housing project and was involved in gangs. During a stint in jail, Mathis learned his mother had cancer. This sobering experience made him change the course of his life. As a condition of his probation, Mathis entered a General Education Development program, and then went on to college, law school and success as a TV court judge.  

Judge Mathis and Bill Cosby— who earned a doctoral degree in education— used their GEDs as a gateway to higher education. It was surprising to learn that almost every American college— 97 percent accepts GED graduates. This means virtually all GED recipients may choose to pursue an undergraduate degree. 

In Maryland there are two ways an adult who has dropped out of school before graduating may earn a high school diploma: by passing the General Educational Development (GED) Tests or through completion of the Maryland Adult External Diploma Program (EDP).

Eligibility to take the GED Test requires that an individual:

   a. Has been a Maryland resident for at least three months at the time of testing;

   b. Is at least 16 years old and meets both of the following two requirements:

   1. Has not obtained a Maryland high school diploma or a high school certificate or diploma issued by another state or non-U.S. or correspondence school; 

  2. Has officially withdrawn from a regular full-time public or private school for at least three months at the time of  testing; or has obtained a Maryland High School Certificate of Program Completion. 

In order to pass the GED test a minimum score must be obtained in the content areas of writing, social studies, science, literature, the arts and mathematics. For additional information about GED Testing, call 410-767-0538. 

The Maryland Adult External Diploma Program (EDP) program is for individuals, ages 18 and older, who are not enrolled in regular high school and can demonstrate essential academic competencies and life skills. 

Academic skill areas include: reading, writing, mathematics, oral communication and critical thinking. Life skills relate to occupational, self, social, aesthetic, consumer and scientific awareness. 

This is not a class attendance-based program. Participants are expected to meet periodically with an assessor to develop a portfolio that proves they have acquired the skills required to be awarded a Maryland High School Diploma. 

Jayne Matthews is an academic advocate and non-profit development analyst.  Your thoughts and comments are welcomed at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

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