School dropout Quote by Paul Tough
““Heckman discovered that when you consider all kinds of important future outcomes—annual income, unemployment rate, divorce rate, use of illegal drugs—GED recipients look exactly like high-school dropouts, despite the fact that they have earned this supposedly valuable extra credential, and despite the fact that they are, on average, considerably more intelligent than high-school dropouts.””
About This Quote
Source Book: How Children Succeed, Paul Tough, 2012
GED recipients, despite higher intelligence, achieve similar poor outcomes as dropouts, questioning the credential’s real value.
In simple terms: GED doesn’t guarantee better life results.
Key Takeaway
Focus on skills and support beyond formal credentials.
Themes
education
outcome
inequality
policy
credentialing
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
policy‑focused
When to use this quote
- policy making
- career counseling
- social programs
Key Concepts
social mobility
economic disparity
education effectiveness
Questions to Reflect On
- What additional support could improve GED outcomes?
- How can we better measure education success?
A Different Perspective
Credentials alone may not address systemic barriers to success.
