The Changing Landscape of High School Equivalency in the U.S.: Options, Issues, and Improvement Strategies

For several decades, obtaining a General Educational Development (GED) certificate was the most commonly recognized and widely available High School Equivalency (HSE) option in the U.S. But since January 2014, the content and process for obtaining an HSE credential in the U.S. has changed significantly. There are new state-endorsed equivalency options for individuals, and these changes, along with modifications to the GED, have profound implications for individuals seeking an HSE credential, as well as for postsecondary institutions and employers. This report explains the issues and provides practitioners with improvement strategies for their own programs.