First graduate presented
GED at A. Philip Randolph Institute San Francisco program with
partner City College of San Francisco
By Solomon So and Emilia Flin/Tell Us SFO
SAN FRANCISCO - In January 2012 APRISF partnered with
San Francisco City College to institute a General
Education Development Laboratory and Job Communication
course for community members. Through specialized
tutoring, a structured curriculum, and APRISF’s dedication
to insuring attendance, several students have
successfully passed the GED test. Our first recipient of
a GED certificate, Tim “Toaster” Henderson, made his
thoughts known on the program and how it helped him:
1.) How did the APRI GED Program help you pass the
required tests?
The APRI GED program did a fantastic job of preparing me
for the GED Test. Their program provided me with
evaluation tests, plenty of practice tests, and
instructors that gave me the attention I needed to
strengthen my academic weaknesses. My most valued lesson
from this program was the importance of comprehension.
Once I was willing to slow down and reread questions I
had issues with, my results grew much more confident.
2.) How have you applied the knowledge you've
learned?
The GED was hard for me, because I lacked the follow
through necessary to finish high school. Working with
APRI, I realized how often I'd left things half
finished. APRI gave me daily examples of how rewarding
it was to be what James Bryant would call a "finisher."
Someone who was true to their word. Someone I could rely
on.
3.) What recommendations would you give to a new GED
student?
My advice to a returning high school student would be to
dedicate yourself to the process. If you can keep
yourself motivated, and manage to set aside enough time
for yourself every day, you will pass. It’s also
important to be humble. Having to learn fractions again
isn't fun, but neither is realizing you forgot how to do
them on test day.
4.) What was your favorite part of the process?
For me, there was nothing sweeter than receiving the
diploma. Knowing my mother was almost as proud as I was,
was a close second.
5.) What are your plans now for the future?
My goal is to go to a four year university so that I can
learn how to support myself as an artist. I have proved
to myself that I have the will power and follow through
to graduate college. Now the time has come to do so.
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