What is I-BEST?

     I-BEST is the collaboration between two instructors working within one vocational program.  While the vocational instructor is responsible for teaching content, skills training, and best practices, the academic support instructor helps students strengthen their reading, language, and math skills as it relates to the program’s coursework.

     A daily support class follows the content class. Here, students are taught helpful strategies for reading comprehension, study skills, and how to solve multi-step math problems.  Students can also work on assignments from class or study for tests by reexamining and discussing concepts, vocabulary or completing application problems.  Essentially, the combined overlap of instruction and support within I-BEST helps students develop strategies for success and content skills to meet the high demands of the Workforce programs at Grays Harbor College.

     Our I-BEST programs serve a variety of students.  Dislocated workers from Work Source, Work First students, high school graduates, transitioning students from Adult Education programs, as well as graduates of English as a Second Language all benefit from this unique model of teaching.

August 2009

Benefits of I-BEST:

· It’s free!

· Most students who meet the minimum requirements for the vocational programs also qualify for I-BEST.  Brushing up on important Math and English skills will help students achieve success for when they take Math 60 and English 60.  Or, students can retake the College Placement Test and potentially place at a higher level following their participation in I-BEST.  I-BEST students can reduce the number of general education courses required for the specific program.  Fewer general education classes mean less money spent on tuition!

· Improved grade point average. (I-BEST students who participated in the support class during spring quarter, received the highest grades in the program.)

· Students get assistance with developing a resume and preparing for job interviews.

· Students are eligible for The Opportunity Grant if funding is available.

· I-BEST presents a clear educational pathway to jobs paying a livable wage.

· Non I-BEST students also benefit from the academic support within the class.

Welding 100, 110, 120 & 130

 

Vocational Instructor: Rod McDonald

Academic Support Instructor: Tricia McIntosh

 

Fall, Winter & Spring Schedule

M—F; 7:30—11:50 (welding class)

M—F; 12:00—12:50 (support class)

 

 

Welding Program Information Packet

I-BEST Programs at GHC

Carpentry 121, 122, & 123

 

Vocational Instructor: Adam Pratt

Academic Support Instructor: Phil Darrin

 

Fall, Winter & Spring Schedule

 

M—F; 7:30—11:50 (carpentry class)

M—F; 12:00—12:50 (support class)

 

Carpentry Program Information Packet

Need more information?

 

Contact Tricia McIntosh, I-BEST Facilitator

 

Grays Harbor College
WorkForce Education

 

1620 Edward P. Smith Drive

Aberdeen, WA. 98520

360.533.9448

 

tmcintos@ghc.edu

 

 

Enrollment Steps

Step 1: Students must meet the minimum requirements for the intended vocational program after completing the College Placement Test (placement into Math 60 and English 60).

Step 2: After speaking with a counselor regarding the CPT scores, the student meets with the program advisor.  If there is a wait list, the student’s name will be placed on it, and he/she will be given instructions for remaining on the list until an opening occurs.

Step 3: About a month prior to class starting, the student will be contacted by the  I-BEST Facilitator to test in CASAS (the Appraisal and pretests for reading and math).  These tests take 3 hours to complete. (All new students are tested.)  Students who score between 211 and 245 are eligible for I-BEST.

Step 4: The student will meet with the program advisor again to enroll in the vocational class and I-BEST support class. Eligible students are strongly advised to take advantage of the academic support offered within the content class and during the one hour support class that follows.

Step 5: The student fills out additional ABE registration and the WABERS forms to participate as an I-BEST student.

     “Now, just as we've opened the doors of college to every American, we also have to ensure that more students can walk through them. That's why I've challenged every American to commit to at least one year of higher education or advanced training, because, by the end of the next decade, I want to see America have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.

     We used to have that; we no longer do. We are going to get that lead back.

     And to help us achieve that goal, we are investing $2.5 billion to identify and support innovative initiatives that have a record of success in boosting enrollment and graduation rates, initiatives like the I-BEST program in Washington state that combines basic and career skills classes to ensure that students not only complete college, but are competitive in the workforce from the moment they graduate.”

Except taken from “Obama Remarks on Higher Education”

CQ Transcripts Wire
Friday, April 24, 2009; 2:23 PM

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/24/AR2009042402380.html

 

 

President Obama’s Support

What instructors and students are saying about I-BEST:

 College Placement Testing

Does a student’s participation in I-BEST programs help them to be successful in other areas in college?

Data gathered suggests it does.

Students who retook their CPT after      attending I-BEST classes improved their scores as shown in the chart below.

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