In a case study of four urban adult basic education programs in a northeastern state, large increases in the participation of 16- to 20-year-old students were found. Many of these students were reading below the fifth-grade level despite aspiring to the General Education Development (GED) diploma. Reasons for youth participation included increased high school graduation standards, high school adjustment difficulties, pregnancy, poverty, court referral, misperceptions of the GED, preference for an adult environment, and program marketing. Low retention and GED attainment rates were reported by staff. Attempts to serve this vulnerable population included segregating classes by age, providing individualized assistance in class, offering computer-based practice, and hiring teachers who had experience with students with special education or correctional backgrounds. The findings suggest that the ABE programs were poorly equipped to assist urban youth in their attempts to complete secondary education. (Contains 3 notes.)