DECATUR, Ala. (AP) — Huddled around the open books, the women intently discussed detailed passages about the lives of sea turtles and the cave paintings of the Mayans. For three hours a day, twice a week, they gather at Carrie Matthews Recreation Center to study science, social studies, math and language arts in hopes of fulfilling a common goal — to pass the GED tests.

"I quit high school decades ago and never went back. I'm 40 years old now and have four daughters, all who graduated from high school. I'm so proud of them," Debra Reed said. "I wanted to do something that I could look back on...