The International Baccalaureate
Diploma Programme at Metro
Big Picture
Regions
• Africa / Europe / Middle East
• The Americas
• Asia Pacific Big Picture
Programs
• Primary Years Programme (Ages 3-12)
• Middle Years Programme (Ages 11-16)
• Diploma Programme (Ages 16-19)
History
• International Baccalaureate founded in Geneva,
Switzerland in 1968
• Curriculum and assessment standards to be recognized by
universities throughout Europe and the rest of the world.
• Facilitate mobility of students
Structure
Schools “join” the IB
• Probationary period
• $$$
Staff training
• Initial
• Ongoing
Curriculum
• Emphasizes depth
• Prescribed topics and
readings
• Choices by teachers
Assessment
– Internal
• Graded by teachers;
reviewed by external
examiners
• Includes essays, projects,
oral presentations and
commentary
– Final examinations
• $$$
• 3-6 hours
• Graded by external
examiners
Mission of IB
Help young people to…
• Explore knowledge and ideas,
• Care enough to help create a better and
more peaceful world,
• Understand that other people, with their
differences, can also be right
IB students strive to be…
Inquirers who develop their natural curiosity
Knowledgeable about ideas and issues that have local and global significance
Thinkers who take the initiative to solve complicated problems
Communicators who express ideas creatively and confidently and work well with others
Principled and act with integrity and a strong sense of fairness and justice
Open-minded enough to understand our own personal history , values and traditions
and to always seek to understand those of others
Compassionate and respectful to the needs and feelings of others
Confident risk-takers with the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and
ways of doing things and with the courage to defend their beliefs
Intellectually, physically and emotionally balanced to achieve personal well-being
Reflective about what and how they are learning and to work with their strengths and
weaknesses to support their own personal development
The rewards…
Personal:
– Skills
– knowledge
External:
– Priority in college admission
– Advanced placement – up to one full year!
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Advanced Placement (AP)
International-emphasis on global perspectives
Mostly US- more academic than philosophical
From the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
Mission:
The College Board Mission:
Through challenging programs of international
education and assessment, IBO seeks to develop
inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people, who
will become compassionate citizens seeking a better
and more peaceful world.
To be a great educational organization dedicated to
preparing, inspiring, and connecting students to college
success and opportunity, with a commitment to
excellence and equity.
Holistic or Total Program- The IB Program is a course of study,
encompassing six areas: English, history, science, foreign
language, math and an IB-approved elective.
Single Strength or Cafeteria Style in which students choose AP
courses that fit their strengths and that are independent of one
another.
Diploma students;
Theory of Knowledge
Extended Essay
Complete 150 CAS (Creativity, Action, and Service) hrs.
No additional requirements
More divergent- asks why more than what
More Convergent- asks what more than why
Graded World-wide
Graded in US
Many factors, such as papers, orals, and projects, in addition to
the written exam, determine the final score (1-7)
Score (1-5) hinges on the written exam
Emphasizes process and integration of content across content
areas
Content driven
IB students may also sit for AP exams
AP students may not sit for IB exams
From the College Board website:
How do colleges and universities recognize International
Baccalaureate courses and the IB Diploma?
The IB Diploma is increasingly being viewed as a strong
indicator of academic promise and achievement. IB students
often have an advantage in the admissions process at
selective universities. In addition, IB courses and exams are
recognized for the purpose of advanced credit and/or
placement at over 1,000 North American colleges and
universities. In fact, nearly 120 postsecondary institutions
now grant a full year of credit or its equivalent to students
who have earned the IB Diploma.
The Diploma Programme
Must have one of each!
How the two years look…
11
12
1
IB World Lit (HL)
IB English (HL)
2
IB History of Americas (HL)
IB History of Americas (HL)
3
IB Biology (SL or HL)
IB Biology (SL or HL)
4
IB Math (SL)
AP Calculus
Trig/AnalyGeo
IB Math (SL)
AP Calculus
Trig/AnalyGeo
5
French 5 / 6
Spanish 5 / 6
AP Latin 5 / 6
IB French (SL)
IB Spanish (SL)
IB Latin (SL)
Elective Choice
5
IB French (SL)
IB Spanish (SL)
IB Latin (SL)
6
Theory of Knowledge 1 / 2 (HL)
Elective Choice
7
IB Music (SL or HL)
IB Music (SL or HL)
7
IB Art (SL)
Elective Choice
Different kinds of assessments…
English: major essay and oral commentary
Math: project
History: major essay
Biology: Investigations
Languages: orals
Art: investigation notebook and “work”
Music: performance
CreativityActionService
Experiential learning
Real tasks that have real consequences
Spend time with others to build relationships and develop self-worth of
both server and served.
Creativity – could involve doing dance, theatre, music and art
Action – could include participation in expeditions, sports, or physical
activities like digging a trench to bring water to a village
Service – building links with individuals or groups within the community
Extended Essay
• Independent research/investigation of topic
chosen by the student
• Result of approximately 40 hours of work by
student
• Work is supervised and supported by faculty
• Draft due in August of senior year
What is TOK?
Theory of Knowledge
– What do I know and how did I come to know it?
– What counts as knowledge in this society? …in other
societies?
– How does what I’m learning in school fit together?...fit
with what I experience outside school?
– Who owns knowledge? What is it value ? What are the
implications of having, or not having, knowledge?
Application Process
• Teacher Recommendations
• Two required
• One must be from English teacher
• Review of grades, PLAN scores, attendance
• No Fs
• Evidence of good habits and motivation
• Interview with you and your parents
• You’ll need their support!
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