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Abstract
This research study examined enrollment and completion patterns of Georgia GED graduates from 1999 2009 in postsecondary education. The purpose of the study was to determine the transition to postsecondary education rate and the successful completion rate of GED graduates. Successful completion of postsecondary education was defined as the receipt of a certificate, a diploma or a degree. Also, the study was designed to determine the influence of age, gender, ethnicity, financial aid eligibility and GED overall test score on enrollment and successful completion rates in postsecondary education. The study included the total population of GED graduates (202,282) from 1999 2009. The total population data were disaggregated to identify the number and percentage of GED graduates who enrolled in postsecondary education and the number and percentage of those who did not enroll in postsecondary education through the Spring semester of 2010. The population of GED graduates who enrolled in postsecondary education was further disaggregated to identify the number and percentage of GED graduates who successfully completed a postsecondary program of study. Data for these GED graduates were analyzed using quantitative methods in order to determine whether age, gender, ethnicity, or financial aid eligibility were significant predictors for postsecondary education transition and successful completion. The study found that age, ethnicity, financial aid eligibility and the GED overall test score were significant predictors of postsecondary education enrollment and successful completion. Older GED diploma recipients, African American GED diploma recipients and GED graduates who received Pell grants were more likely to successfully complete postsecondary education as evidenced by the receipt of a certificate, a diploma or a degree.