NASHVILLE Tenn.
Tennessee will be spending $2.5 million in new funding on the state’s adult education program, Gov. Phil Bredesen announced Tuesday.
The money will be used to increase teacher pay, allow additional testing and instruction and pay for the General Education Development test fee, which Bredesen said individuals without a high school diploma are sometimes unable to pay.
“In 2005, a federal incentive grant paid for the test fee and increased the number of GED diplomas by 33 percent,” he said. “With 1.2 million citizens in Tennessee without a high school diploma, it’s important that we do everything we can to support Tennessee’s adult learners.”
Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley said the additional funding will help the state be more competitive economically.
“More GED diplomas raise the education level of the state, which makes Tennessee more attractive to businesses looking to relocate,” Neeley said.
Legislation for the additional funding was sponsored by Sen. Jim Tracy, R-Shelbyville, and Rep. Les Winningham, D-Huntsville.
