Nearly 28 percent of Dallas County residents age 25 and over have less than a high school education and in some parts of Dallas this percentage is closer to 50 percent. These shortages present the opportunity for DPL to provide services and resources to help Dallas residents earn their high school equivalency and better secure jobs, receive higher wages and strengthen the position of the city to compete in the global marketplace.

DPL opened the first GED® Testing Center in a public library in the state of Texas, establishing it as an important hub for adults looking to develop the skills necessary to obtain this important credential. DPL’s GED® Preparation Classes focus on core subject areas covered in the exam while imparting important test-taking strategies and student mentoring. Scholarships are available for qualifying testers; over 750 vouchers were distributed last year.

This program consistently surpasses qualitative and quantitative goals, ultimately serving as a catalyst for change among test-takers by introducing them to DPL’s vast array of resources and helping them to secure jobs and pursue secondary education. 2016 data shows DPL leads among Dallas area certified testing centers for administering the most exams (870), most graduates (131), highest pass rate (79 percent) and tied for highest average student score.