Yes, the "For Dummies" series covers everything from technology to sports,
as far as I can tell.  But you are correct, Tom, that a "GED for Dummies"
might be a little more insulting than say, "Plumbing for Dummies."  The
difference is, of course, that you might be able to pay a plumber, but you
can't pay for a legit high school diploma.

I wonder how the GED for Dummies sales compare to other tutorial sales in a
chain like B&M.

On Sat, Oct 24, 2009 at 5:07 PM, Michael Gyori <tesolmichael at yahoo.com>wrote:


> Hello Tom and all,

>

> If I understood your message correctly, then to the best of my knowledge

> the only organizations that receive general revenue or grant-source funding

> are public educational institutions, non-profit private

> educational institutions, and non-profit 501(c)(3) community-based

> organizations.

>

> Are you suggesting that for-profit booksellers such as B&N or Borders might

> be eligible for grant monies? My immediate response, having worked in the

> non-profit sector for 20 years, would be no.  What about Amazon and all the

> other online vendors who sell adult ed materials? Further, wouldn't it be

> an(other) instance of corporate welfare? Of course, there's nothing to keep

> private foundations from donating to for-profit organizations to support a

> cause.

>

> The "For Dummies" series offers books in a broad array of areas and is very

> popular and well-known.  I personally don't believe it stigmatizes anyone,

> it's a humorous twist that started, I believe, with computer-related

> training for "Dummies."  If anyone is put off by the title, a bit of

> background information should help.

>

> Michael

>

>

> Michael A. Gyori

>

> Maui International Language School

>

> www.mauilanguage.com

>

>

>  ------------------------------

> *From:* "tsticht at znet.com" <tsticht at znet.com>

> *To:* diversity at nifl.gov

> *Sent:* Sat, October 24, 2009 9:48:53 AM

> *Subject:* [Diversity 1152] The GED for Dummies

>

> Folks:

>

> In the Barnes & Noble bookstore nearest my house there is a section with

> books called study aids. Browsing these books lately, I noticed that there

> were over a dozen books for studying to prepare oneself for the GED. One of

> these books was entitled The GED for Dummies. I wondered how that would

> feel

> for adults wanting to overcome the stigma of having dropped out of school,

> discovered that their life chances in the U.S. were severely limited by not

> having a high school diploma, and then sought to get their General

> Educational Development (GED) certificate, sometimes called a high school

> equivalency degree, to overcome this stigma.

>

> I also wondered about what status the Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores,

> such as Borders, that sell all sorts of educational materials, in addition

> to the GED self-study materials, have in the adult education field? There

> are many commercial enterprises in the adult education field, for example

> many businesses that sell lessons in English or other languages, and I

> wonder what their status is in the field of adult education.  For instance,

> are such businesses eligible for federal and/or state grants?

>

> I know that many non-profit businesses, generally referred to as community

> organizations, which offer adult literacy education are eligible for

> federal and/or state government grants or contracts if they meet the stated

> requirements. Many religion-affiliated groups provide adult education.

> Groups like OASIS for senior citizens provide lots of adult education

> courses.

>

> The largest group of institutions that offer adult education, including

> literacy, numeracy, and English language training, are secondary education

> organizations (e.g., high schools) which receive government funding. I

> think the second largest group of taxpayer supported institutions providing

> ABE, ASE, and ESL are community colleges.

>

> I have read discussions about what certifications or qualifications adult

> teachers should have. But I don’t know how these discussions apply in all

> these different contexts. My question is, who should be included in and who

> should be excluded from, the adult education field?

>

> And do we really need The GED for Dummies?

>

> Tom Sticht

>

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>

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-- 
Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt
Community Writer for NEWS AND MESSENGER
www.insidenova.com
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