April 1, 2016
”My G.E.D. Struggles"

Well for the past two months, I've been doing everything in my power to get my GED, educate myself and become a better person, and a better prison advocate. All I've managed to do is run into one road block after another. Because of my sentence (death) the Florida Dept. of Corrections doesn't want to allow me access to the educational dept. and programs. Although there are secure one man cells in the class just for the purpose of high security inmates. There’s also ample room for I’ve walked pass there, and seen empty cells, so theres absolutely no penological justification for denying me access to an education.

There's nothing right now, that I want more than a DEF/High school diploma. I’m currently asking my friends to send emails, letters, and make phone calls to secretary Julie Jones to allow me to get my education. Will it work? Cant say, but either way, I’m giving it my all. And we don't know unless we try .

My goal is to get this GED, then a paralegal degree, then take some college courses and go on from there.

I have several study books sitting down there in the property room. A lot of good there doing me there, but the mail room sends them there, and the property room brings them to us. Only problem is, the FDOC is under staffed by some 1,500 officers, and their shutting the property room down for days on end because of understaffing. Thus I'm in limbo on studying.

What I’m really going to need is a tutor. ‘Cause several books that I’ve read (pre-GED) from the library (which I can only check out for a week before turning them back in) left me needing further explanation. But finding a tutor is going to be tough, yes - I’ve still got a lot to work out. At least I’m trying.

No one should have to struggle this hard to get an education. And the way the school system pushed me though each grade without a passing grade is just wrong. I was disposed of, in each grade, pushed through. I was in the 6th grade two weeks before being placed in the 7th. All that 6th grade knowledge was lost, because I didn't get to participate. So of course I failed the 7th grade and then I done even attend the 8th grade. So in reality, I went from the 5th grade to the 9th without passing 6th, 7th, or 8th grades. Your setting a child up for failure when you push him/her through school without educating them.

I want this education, and some how, some way, I’m going to make it happen.

To all of you out there on the world wide wed, take care of yourself and never take no for an answer, for where there’s a will, there’s a way.

God Bless you.

Sincerely,
Ronald W. Clark
jr# 812974