May 25, 2015

Progress Report From Federal Prison

Goal #7: I will seek prison jobs that add value to my fellow prisoners or the community where I am confined, and I will minimize time spent doing routine tasks when possible.

I entered prison with 7 written goals. Each is focused on ensuring that something positive is achieved during my 63 month sentence, and provides timely re-centering and motivation on difficult days. This blog is an update on one of those goals. I met Shaggy at the chapel a few minutes after walking into the main camp building after I was processed into prison on April 27, 2015. Shaggy is an inmate who helps new arrivals settle in. He gave me a “Christian bag” that had some much appreciated survival items, then showed me around on our way to my cube in Building E. The prison advice I had received from my prison consultant, Justin Paperny of EtikaLLC and FederalPrisonAdvice prepared me well for my self-surrender. One of my first priorities was to learn about current prison jobs that were available in an attempt to find one that aligned with my goals. Shaggy had introduced me to the Education Director when we walked by his office, so by the end of my first day I had completed a COP-OUT form requesting permission to teach math in the GED program.

I had a perception of what GED programs were all about, but really I didn’t even know what the acronym stood for. I quickly learned, however, that my perception was wrong. Students who are serious about getting their GED certificate are, in one word, courageous. Most are overcoming labels that are deeply rooted in bad experience from the past where they were pigeonholed into poorly supported programs because of their learning style. As one of my best students shared, “I was told I was slow and retarded so I quit.” Of course some students pursuing their GED as adults probably faced learning challenges of some sort, but the messages they took away from their school experiences are heart breaking because these men are warriors in their current fight to overcome the labels they were assigned.

GED is the General Educational Development program. It consists of a battery of five timed tests and upon successful completion, qualifies the applicant for a certificate that is regarded as equivalent to a high school diploma. Approximately 800,000 people take the GED tests each year, with a successful pass rate of about 70%. The five subject areas covered are: Language Arts, Reading, Writing, Social Studies, Science and Mathematics. The material covers each applicants ability to read and process information, solve problems and communicate effectively. Some of the states in the U.S. also require a test on the U.S. Constitution or on state government.  The Bureau of Prisons (BOP) reviews each inmates Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) report to confirm evidence of a high school diploma.In its absence, the inmate must be enrolled in the GED program during their incarceration. Putting forth the effort to actually learn the material and pass the tests to get their GED certificate is not required by the BOP, as it is up to each individual to pursue completion of the program as they choose. Teaching math to those enrolled in the program aligns with my goal of seeking work that adds value to my fellow prisoners. It is also personally rewarding, and I am gracious for the $40 per month that I am paid as well.

Specific to the Math portion of the GED, the applicant must pass a 90 minute timed test consisting of 50 questions, 25 of which must be solved without a calculator. The content areas include the practical use of number operations and number sense; measurement and data analysis, statistics and probability; algebra, functions and patterns; and geometry. In addition to solving problems, some questions require showing how to set the problem up to be solved, which tests how well the applicant can find the correct approach to solving the problem. It requires use of knowledge of mathematics in both mathematical problems and real world situations reflecting practical, everyday tasks. The applicant is also required to demonstrate analytical and reasoning skills, and must be able to read and interpret mathematical context in both written and graphical forms. The program briefly touches on use of the Metric system, so you can imagine the humor discussing weight and mass in “kilos” considering the venue.

My teaching background includes experience in aeronautics and flying. I hold an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate and I am rated as Certified Flight Instructor in airplanes and instrument flying. As a math teacher in prison, building confidence in my students’ technical and practical abilities reflects similar patterns to that of teaching people to fly airplanes – perfect practice makes permanent. People motivated to achieve their GED certificate are doing far more than learning the material; they are also overcoming painful experiences from the past and converting that energy into hope for the future. It is challenging work for each of them, and I would encourage decision makers in the job market to place high value on job seekers who have been successful achieving their GED certificate as adults. The skills and motivation that it requires will no doubt translate positively to the bottom line of businesses who target the hiring of these self-motivated achievers.

Kevin Boardman

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