Even with a GED it is nothing but a piece of paper, not an education. Without a minimum high school diploma a guy is pretty much doomed. The chances of winning the Lotto or becoming a sports super star are remote. Even the services are picky now, wanting to see a diploma before signing anyone up. At one time recruiters desperate for flesh would sign up a guy who could find the correct restroom and had hair under his armpits.
Educators say they use social promotion to keep the students from dropping out of school.
Well, I ain't an educator, but I can spot a lemon in the car lot. We have a lemon in our so-called educational system. First is the idea that pumping more money into the system will bring forth miracles. After a while the money will back up even a toilet. You can spend a billion dollars to teach a horse to read, but the horse will never read.