Arizona adult education receives high rank

For the second year in a row, the Arizona adult education system has been ranked fourth in the nation for high school dropouts returning to get their GEDs.

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal said the high ranking bodes well for the state’s economy.

“We know that we have some challenges, but we’re also sensing that we’re part of the economic resurgence of Arizona and we’re contributing to that,” he said.

Huppenthal said the success is linked to partnerships with the community colleges, but there is still work to be done.

“We have made this a part of our legislative request so we can hire more teachers and move more students on through this process and make them better economic contributors in Arizona,” he said.

In 2012, over 12,600 people earned their GED in Arizona and about 6,000 are on a wait list for the program.