Welcome to I-BEST!
What is Integrated Basic Skills Training?
Integrated Basic Skills pairs ESL and Adult Basic Education and GED instructors with professional–technical instructors in the same classroom to concurrently provide low–skilled adults with both literacy education and workforce skills.
This integrated approach provides just the right level of education in just the right amount for students to succeed in workforce training. In this integrated model, the Basic Skills curriculum is tailored to skills that are needed to learn and do the job for which the student is training. The basic skills are all taught in the context of the career.
The State of Washington's economy is highly dependent on the creation of pathways to success in the workforce for non–English speaking adults and low skilled students. The Integrated Basic Skills program fully addresses the need to provide work skills and basic education in a timelier manner. This has proven to be an effective approach to teaching and learning, for non–English speaking adults and ABE students.
Is this program successful?
Over the past two years 10 Integrated Basic Skills programs were piloted in Washington State and produced the following results:
- Integrated students were 5 times more likely to earn college credits than were traditional Basic Skills students!
- Integrated students earned an average of 10 college–level credits compared to only 3 college–level credits earned by the students in traditional Basic Skills classes!
- Integrated students earned an average of 12 workforce credits as compared to only 2 workforce credits earned by the comparison group!
- Integrated students were 15 times more likely to complete workforce training!
- 44% of the integrated students completed workforce–training programs as compared to only 3% of the comparison group!
- Most of these completions were in short term certificate programs that provide living wage employment opportunities and educational progression.
Dropout rates among this segment of the college's student population have also been significantly reduced.
Pierce College Integrated Basic Skills is:
Open to all Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Education Development (GED) and English as a Second Language (ESL) adult learners, we are a supportive community that promotes respect for cultural diversity. Our purpose is to provide quality academic and workforce skills training and teaching excellence so that adult learners may:
- Earn a college certificate that prepares them to work in a high demand career;
- Increase their academic skills while earning college–level credits applicable to a college degree;
- Design a career pathway that provides meaningful mileposts and real destinations;
- Increase their abilities and opportunities for advancement in their chosen career;
- Build a bridge to the future through a commitment to life–long learning.
