I-BEST at Grays Harbor College

What is I-BEST?

Benefits of I-BEST

◦ Students can brush up on important math and English skills which  helps lead to 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 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 and more time spent working on core class assignments!

◦ In Welding I-BEST, students can bypass Math 60 after one quarter of I-BEST support.  That means students go straight to Math 100 which applies to the Associate in Technology degree.

◦ Students may experience an improved grade point average in their core program classes as well as general education classes.

◦ Students can work toward their GED while attending I-BEST programs.

◦ Assistance with developing a resume and preparing for job interviews is an integral part of I-BEST .

◦ Students may be 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.

◦ It’s free!

“I-BEST has been a huge help for me to get refreshed on some of the math I forgot how to do.”        - John, student

“I-BEST has helped me regain good study habits and get back into a ‘school work mind set.”           - Dean, student

“It has helped me understand my computer a little bit more than I did.”

- Tom, student

“I-BEST helps to bridge the gap between mechanical aptitude and sustainable employment.  Mastery of applied mathematics and strong communication skills (English) are essential for career success in carpentry.  I-BEST provides students with additional support for the development of these essential skills.”

-Adam Pratt, carpentry instructor

Carpentry 121, 122, and 123

Now open to second year students (221, 222, and 223)!

 

Vocational Instructor: Adam Pratt

I-BEST Instructor: Jim MacCormack

 

Overlap Instruction

  

 

Carpentry Program Information Packet

 

 

I-BEST Programs at GHC

Human Services 101, 102, 108, 203

 

Vocational Instructor: Chandra Miller-Starks

I-BEST Instructor: Jeff Newman

 

Overlap Instruction and I-BEST Support

 

 

Human Services 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

360.538.4240

 

tmcintos@ghc.edu

 

 

Enrollment Steps

       Once students are enrolled in carpentry, human services, or welding, they will be contacted by the

       I-BEST Facilitator to complete CASAS assessments in reading and math.

       Assessments take between 2 to 3 hours to complete. All new students are tested.

       Students who score between 211 and 245 are eligible for I-BEST.

       Students are enrolled in the vocational program with an I-BEST line number.  Eligible students are

       strongly advised to take advantage of the academic support offered within the content class and during

       the support classes.

        Students must fill out a WABERS form and registration form for the support class.  Tuition waivers are

       accepted for all I-BEST students.  This means the support class is free!

       At the end of each quarter, I-BEST students are post tested, and student goals are re-evaluated.

     “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

“Teamwork between instructors makes the I-BEST programs an ideal learning environment for all students.  Empowering students in the classroom is the first step to success in the work force.” 

- Tricia McIntosh, I-BEST instructor

Momentum points are the quantifiers used to gauge student success under the Student Achievement Initiative. For I-BEST these points are calculated by the level gains made in the Basic Skills component, determined by CASAS post-testing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Momentum Points are earned for the first 15  and 30 college level credits earned.

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.

Since the 2008-2009 school year,

students have earned 412 Momentum Points!

 

I-BEST Programs since 2008:

Automotive

Carpentry

Human Services

Welding

“The I-BEST training session after weld class is a great opportunity for guys to get plumbed up on their math and English skills.  The lessons are based on welding problems and information so there is a double benefit.  I encourage all students to participate.”

- Rod McDonald, welding instructor

We’ve seen overall improvement in quarterly projects that are involved with the Human Services Program. Students who participate in I-BEST learn valuable skills in research, writing, presentations and even some math. Ask a prior I-BEST student and you will hear for yourself how their participation aided them in successfully completing their first year of the Human Services Program. - Jeff Newman, I-BEST instructor

 

 

-Jeff Newman, academic support instructor

I-BEST Results

Welding 100, 110, 120 & 130

Now open to second year students (240, 245, & 250)!

 

 

Vocational Instructor: Rod McDonald

I-BEST Instructor: Tricia McIntosh

 

Now includes Developmental I-BEST for Math 60

 

Overlap Instruction, I-BEST Support, and Homework Club

  

 

Welding Program Information Packet