I-BEST
What is I-BEST?
I-BEST (Integrated Basic Education Skills and Training) Program is a great program for students who are pursuing Professional Technical certificate and degree programs and are interested in receiving assistance with basic skills in reading, math or English language. I-BEST provides a team-teaching approach where two teachers are present in the classroom: one teacher to focus on the job-training content, and one to focus on academic skills. Highline College offers classes that integrate instruction in reading, writing, speaking, listening, technology and academic skills while learning the content of the I-BEST program.
Highline College has 5 degree pathway programs that offer IBEST classes and programs (see below for more information on each program):
- Early Childhood Education (ECE)
- Hospitality & Tourism (HOST)
- Business Technology (BSTEC)
- Human Services
- Legal Studies
- Computer Science
Who is the program for?
I-BEST classes are for immigrants, refugees, permanent residents, and U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old. I-BEST programs have different entry-level requirements: some programs accept students who completed ESOL Level 3, and some require completion of ESOL 4 or higher. All GED levels are eligible.
Eligibility Requirements
Students must meet the following requirements to be eligible for IBEST funding to pay for IBEST course(s) tuition & fees (NOT textbooks):
- Previous ESOL student OR have an eligible CASAS placement score,
- Pursuing professional technical certificate/degree program
Cost of Program
I-BEST classes are tuition-bearing classes, so they do cost money. Financial support is available for eligible students. Please schedule an appointment with Deborah to learn more about funding opportunities and getting started with the I-BEST Application.
How to Get Started
- Meet with the Faculty Advisor for the IBEST program you are interested in. During your appointment, feel free to ask any questions you have about the program. Make sure you have a list of classes they recommend you start with.
- Schedule an Appointment with Deborah. You will go over the following during the meeting:
- IBEST Funding Application
- Getting Started Applications
- Explore Other Funding Options
I-BEST Programs
- Website: Early Childhood Education (ECE)
- Faculty Advisor: Christie Knighton | E: cknighton@highline.edu | P: (206)592-4050 | Schedule Appointment with Christie!
- ESOL Level Requirement: 3 & above; contact Christie for more info
- I-BEST Approved Classes:
- ECED 135 (State Early Childhood Education Initial Certificate, 12 credits total)
- ECED& 105: Introduction to Early Childhood Education (5 credits)
- ECED& 107: Health, Safety and Nutrition (5 credits)
- ECED& 120: Early Childhood Practicum (2 credits)
- ECED 145 (Short State Certificate of Specialization, 13 credits)
- EDUC& 115: Child Development (5 credits)
- EDUC& 130: Guiding behavior (5 credits)
- COL 100: College Success Seminar (3 credits)
- ECED 175 (State Early Childhood Education Certificate, 15 credits)
- ECED& 160: Curriculum Development (5 credits)
- ENGLP 101: English Composition & Support class (10 credits)
- ECED 185
- Math 107 or Math& 107 (5 credits)
- ABE class (3 credits)
- ECED 195
- GEO 102: Introduction to Earth Sciences (5 credits)
- ABE class (3 credits)
- ECED 135 (State Early Childhood Education Initial Certificate, 12 credits total)
- Website: Business Technology (BSTEC)
- Faculty Advisor: Oussama (Sam) Alkhalili, BSTEC Coordinator and Mary Turla, IBEST Support Instructor | E: oalkhalili@highline.edu (Sam); mturla@highline.edu (Mary) | P: (206)592-4317
- ESOL Level Requirement: Level 4 & above
- I-BEST Approved Classes:
- BSTEC 100: Fundamentals of Office Management (5 credits)
- BSTEC 101: Essential Topics (2 credits)
- BSTEC 105: Intro to Computers & Windows (3 credits)
- BSTEC 110: Beginning Keyboard (2 credits)
- BSTEC 112: Professional Document Formatting (3 credits)
- BSTEC 118: 10-Key Mastery (2 credits)
- BSTEC 120: Introduction to MS Office Software (5 credits)
- BSTEC 125: Introduction to Google Office Suite (5 credits)
- BSTEC 139: Career Readiness Skills (2 credits)
- BSTEC 150: Microsoft Word (5 credits)
- BSTEC 155: Microsoft PowerPoint (3 credits)
- BSTEC 165: Microsoft Excel (5 credits)
- BSTEC 175: Virtual Communications (5 credits)
- BSTEC 185: Business Correspondence (5 credits)
- BSTEC 190: Introduction to Web Design (5 credits)
- Website: Hospitality & Tourism (HOST)
- Faculty Advisor: Justin Taillon, HOST Faculty | E: jtaillon@highline.edu | P: (206)592-3953 | Schedule Appointment with Justin!
- ESOL Level Requirement: Level 4 & above
- I-BEST Approved Classes:
- HOST 100: Intro to Hospitality & Tourism Management (5 credits)
- HOST 104: The Art of Negotiation (5 credits)
- HOST 107: Wedding Planning Operations (3 credits)
- HOST 110: Lodging Operations (4 credits)
- HOST 111: Commercial Landscaping (3 credits)
- HOST 112: Maintenance Technician (3 credits)
- HOST 120: Housekeeping Operations (3 credits)
- HOST 129: Menu Design (3 credits)
- HOST 130: Food and Beverage Operations (Front of House) (4 credits)
- HOST 131: The Production and Supply Chain of Food (3 credits)
- HOST 139: Career Planning and Preparation (2 credits)
- HOST 145: Planning and Preparation for Workplace Supervision (3 credits)
- HOST 150: Food as Medicine (3 credits)
- HOST 156: Travel Geography (3 credits)
- HOST 164: Customer Service Operations (5 credits)
- HOST 165: Managing Customer Service (5 credits)
- HOST 166: Global Excellence (Customer Service)
- HOST 174: Recreation & Park Operations (4 credits)
- HOST 175: Sustainable Food & Agriculture (5 credits)
- HOST 205: Event Management Operations (4 credits)
- HOST 216: Airline Operations (4 credits)
- HOST 217: Airport Operations (4 credits)
- HOST 28X (282, 283 (SUM’23) and 285)
- Website: Human Services
- Faculty Advisor: Teresa Pan, Human Services Faculty and Dept. Coordinator | E: tpan@highline.edu | P: (206)592-3835
- ESOL Level Requirement: Level 3 & above; contact Teresa for more information.
- I-BEST Approved Classes:
- HSER 101: Introduction to Human Services (5 credits)
- HSER 103: Case Management (5 credits)
- HSER 108: Community Mental Health (5 credits)
- HSER 110: Interview & Counseling (5 credits)
- HSER 120: Group Process (5 credits)
- HSER 211: Adulthood and Aging (5 credits)
- HSER 221: Adolescent Development (5 credits)
- HSER 223: Introduction to Positive Youth Development (5 credits)
- HSER 231: Disability Issues & Practices (2 credits)
- HSER 251: Family Violence (5 credits)
- HSER 260: Culturally Responsive Practices (3 credits)
- Website: Legal Studies
- Faculty Advisor: Bruce Lamb, Faculty and Program Coordinator | E: blamb@highline.edu | P: (206)592-4628
- ESOL Level Requirement: ESOL Level 5 or Jumpstart Graduate
- I-BEST Approved Classes:
- LEGAL 216: Introduction to the Law (5 credits)
- Website: Computer Science
- Faculty Advisor: Cyrille Gibran, ELCAP Part-Time Faculty | E: cgibran@highline.edu | P: (206)592-4684
- ESOL Level Requirement: ESOL Level 4
- I-BEST Approved Classes:
- CSCI 100: Survey of Computing (5 credits)
- CIS 160: Introduction to Networking and CISCO IOS (5 credits)