JOB OPPORTUNITIES TASK FORCE

Advocating better skills, jobs, and incomes

TO: Hon. Sheila E. Hixson, Chair, and members of the House Ways and Means Committee

FROM: Kevin Griffin Moreno, Senior Policy Advocate/Communications Director

DATE:             February 9, 2006

The Job Opportunities Task Force (JOTF) is an independent, nonprofit organization that develops and advocates policies and programs to increase the skills, job opportunities, and incomes of low-skill, low-wage workers and job seekers in Maryland. We support HB 129 because it helps adults obtain their high school diploma thereby increasing their opportunity to enter a better job and/or pursue higher education.

Currently, over 600,000 Maryland adults lack a high school diploma. This represents approximately 20% of the adult, working-age population in the state. Without a degree, their employment options are severely limited. Research shows, not surprisingly, that individuals with a high school degree earn significantly more money than those without a degree.

The External Diploma Program allows adults to acquire a high school diploma by demonstrating mastery of certain prescribed competencies. It is recognized by higher education institutions and the military and has been proven to be a very cost-effective way for adult to obtain their degree. In the last five years, nearly 2500 Marylanders have obtained their diploma through EDP. Wage data indicates that EDP graduates increased their earnings by $2,754 within just 18 months of graduation and by $7,000 within 3 years of graduation.

HB 129 continues funding the program at a cost of just $281,070 per year and removes the sunset provision. If this legislation is not signed into law, the program will expire on June 30, 2006. We urge the committee to support this bill and issue a favorable report.