이 연구는 학력의 법적 개념을 분석하고 학력인정제도의 틀을 기본적 학력인정제도와 보완적 학력인정제도로 구분하였다. 보완적 학력인정제도로서 검정고시, 문해교육, 평생교육시설, 각종학교, 방계학제, 평생학습계좌제, 국가기술자격 취득, 학력심의 등 다양한 형태가 있음을 밝혔다. 보완적 학력인정제도의 법령상 문제점을 지적하고 그 개선방안을 제안하였다. 첫째, 초졸검정고시와 마찬가지로 중졸검정고시에도 연령제한이 필요하다. 둘째, 초졸과 중졸 검정고시 응시비용을 국가나 지자체가 부담하도록 하고 있는데 고등학교도 무상화되었으므로 고졸 검정고시도 무상화해야 한다. 셋째, 검정고시 응시자격 제한 규정이 불명확하여 혼란을 주므로 개정해야 한다. 넷째, 학력인정 교육기관을 졸업한 사람에게는 검정고시 자격을 동등하게 제한해야 한다. 다섯째, 학교밖학습경험에 교육감 지정 위탁기관을 포함해야 한다.
In this study, the legal concept of academic ability was analyzed and the framework of the academic ability recognition system was divided into a basic academic ability recognition system and a supplementary academic ability recognition system. It was revealed that there are various types of supplementary academic ability recognition systems, such as GED, literacy education, lifelong education facilities, supplementary schools, collateral education system, lifelong education system, national technical qualification acquisition, and academic ability review. In addition, the legal problems of this supplementary academic ability recognition system were pointed out and improvement plans were proposed. First, there is an age limit for the elementary school qualification examination in the regulation of the age to take the qualification examination, but considering the legislative purpose that it is to induce school attendance as much as possible since it is a compulsory education stage, the age limit is also necessary for the qualification examination for middle school graduate. Second, the state or local governments are required to bear the cost of taking the entrance exam for elementary and middle school graduates. Third, the rules for limiting qualifications for the qualification exam are unclear and cause confusion, so they need to be revised. Fourth, the qualifications for the qualification exam should be equally restricted for those who have graduated from an educational institution that recognizes their academic ability. Fifth, out-of-school learning experiences should include entrusted institutions designated by the superintendent of education.