Nationally:

A 2008 report produced by the National Commission on Adult Literacy based on a two year study indicates "soaring dropout rates and diminished literacy skills among adults."  Additional studies show that one in three young people in this country dropout of high school before earning their diploma, while nearly thirty million adults lack basic literacy skills.

Locally:

In the ten county NW Michigan area, which includes Antrim, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties served by GTALC, the proportion of dropouts and people who have not received a high school diploma has declined.  Regional statistics indicate 9.3% to 21.4% had no high school

diploma in 2000, down from 30% to 40% in 1980.  One out of three working age adults lacks the basic skills or credentials to obtain a family-sustaining job.  Of these adults, 692,000 do not have a GED or high school diploma.

Population without a High School Diploma in GTALC served counties

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County                 1980        1990        2000

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Antrim                  31.7%      23.6%     15.4%

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Kalkaska              37.3%      30.4%     20.0%

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Grand Traverse    22.8%      15.1%     10.7%

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Leelanau              23.2%      14.9%     9.3%

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* Source: Decennial Census - 1980, 1990, 2000.