A video crew will be filming at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom on Thursday for an upcoming edition of “Education News Parents Can Use,” a national television program produced by the US Department of Education.
Pierce is being featured in the May episode for its Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) program, which combines basic skills and workforce training to give the most challenged students the comprehensive support they need to succeed. Students in the program are predominately low income and largely represent minority populations. English as a Second Language training is a critical piece of I-BEST for many students.
The video crew will be on campus interviewing students, filming classroom activities and instruction, and discussing the program with state I-BEST leaders, as well as Pierce College District Chancellor Michele Johnson.
The impetus for the feature on the I-BEST program was a mention of the program by President Barack Obama in a speech on higher education last month.
“Education News Parents Can Use” airs locally on TV Tacoma (Channel 12) randomly throughout the month and on Seattle Public Schools TV (Channel 26/75) at 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Viewers can watch the show anytime via the US Department of Education’s Web site. The episode featuring Pierce College’s I-BEST program will begin airing May 19.