Ambitious young people are told that a college degree is necessary to launch a successful career. In 1995, Washington state passed a law that prohibited public funding to support higher education for prisoners beyond adult basic education and the General Education Diploma (GED). Before I could start taking college courses, I needed to earn certificates in college-prep math and anger management. Then I felt ready to take my first college course through Seattle Central. TEACH helped him gain the confidence he needed, encouraging him to teach the course the way he thought best.