A former student at Turning Point Educational Center applied for college this month. This is actually a pretty common event these days; more and more students attend our GED program expecting to do something big after they earn a GED. So why choose to write about it Turning Point’s first blog?
His story represents the Ed Center’s journey — and also, I hope, the path we’re working towards here in Sunset Park and Brooklyn.
“Rolando” first came to Turning Point in our lowest level ABE class (‘Adult Basic Education’) in 2009, at the age of 16. Many students struggle at this level. To begin with, they are often reading at a 5th grade level, with similar writing and math levels — so they have a lot of academic work to do. In addition, they are at least a year away from taking the GED test (due to minimum age requirements). And finally – most importantly – these young students are still growing into the adults they will become. Overall, their stay at class will be a little longer and a little more likely to be interrupted by the stresses of NYC life.
Rolando quickly established himself as a hard worker, quiet but with a strong presence, and a subtle sense of humor. Though he struggled in some academic areas, Rolando always worked his way through.
However, whenever the topic of post-secondary education came up, Rolando was very clear that it wasn’t for him. Not college, nor a degree-certificate program — nope, no thanks, nada, not even for discussion or consideration. He seemed to only envision himself on a straight-to-the-workforce model, with perhaps a short training program (both of which, studies tell us, net much less wage earnings than an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree).
Rolando continued in our classes, on and off, over the last 3 years. He progressed to the highest level class, GED Prep, but seemed to struggle with that last push to get over the top. Finally, he earned his GED in January 2012. Three years is a long time to keep at a single goal. The crucial benefit of such a journey is that Rolando didn’t just achieve his goal, but he developed and grew along the way.
Youth Development (YD) is a main tenant of the Ed Center’s mission, and YD ideals are a huge reason for our ‘beyond the GED’ culture. Teachers and counselors use effective and innovative techniques to create a safe space, within which students can overcome barriers to success and strategize long-term goals. (The Ed Center has had excellent partners in this process, including the Youth Development Institute’s CEPS program, Ramapo Training, and our fellow Sunset Park Alliance members.)
Over the last few months, we have seen the benefits of this developmental journey in Rolando. In January, with the help of Educational Center and Literacy Zone staff, Rolando landed a job at the Zoo. Signing up for CUNY is the latest step in his personal growth. His example reminds us that, sometimes, it’s enough to bring up the topic of long-term goal planning. Even if a student seems very disinterested at the time, seeds are planted and grow.
Rolando’s story is emblematic of many Ed Center students over the years. When I first began teaching at Turning Point six years ago, I often asked my students: “Do you want to go to college?” More often than not, the answer from the younger heads was pointed. College was “for other people,” “not for me,” “too hard,” or “too expensive.”
By consistently bringing up college as a possibility, our students slowly started to move their self-assessment from “No way!”, to “Maybe…”, and then eventually to: “College is a way to achieve my goals. I can do this.” Rolando’s long journey to achievement is also not uncommon for our youth — many take several years to accomplish their goals. (Indeed, the field is increasingly recognizing that youth development outcomes are inherently varied and long term). We are always here for students when they decide to return and continue their journey.
Rolando readily acknowledges he is nervous about the new challenges of college; but his quiet smile says everything you need to know about the confidence he is building to keep achieving.
By Josh Willis
