Advanced Learning Schools
IB Diploma Programme Coordinator
Mark Johnson
Curriculum: What does the DP curriculum
contain?
The curriculum contains six subject groups together with a core made up of
three separate parts.
Curriculum: What does the DP curriculum contain?
The curriculum contains six subject groups together with a core made up of
three separate parts.
Three subjects are studied at higher
level - 240 hours
• Three subjects are studied at standard
level - 150 hours
• All three parts of the core—extended
essay, theory of knowledge and
creativity, action, service—are
compulsory and are central to the
philosophy of the Diploma program.
• one subject each from Groups 1-5
• one from Group 6 or a second
subject from Groups 1-4
Theory of Knowledge
extended essay
Theory of
Knowledge
creativity, action,
service
• stimulates critical reflection
on knowledge and experience
• encourages students to
examine the grounds for
moral, political and aesthetic
judgments
• challenges students
–
to question the bases of
knowledge
– to be aware of subjective and
ideological biases
– to develop the ability to
analyse evidence
© IBO 2002
Extended Essay
An investigation of a topic of special interest to familiarize
the student with independent research and writing skills
necessary for success at the university level
• involves approximately 40 hours of research and
writing
• no more than 4000 words
• supervised by a faculty member
• externally assessed
Creativity, Action, Service
The experiential learning component
of the diploma
• challenges and extends the
individual student
• develops a spirit of discovery
and self-reliance
• encourages individual skills
and interests
• develops sense of responsibility
to the community
• emphasizes learning by doing
real tasks that have real
consequences and then
reflecting on these experiences
over time.
IB Courses at ALS
Language A
English HL and SL
Arabic HL and SL
Language B
Arabic A HL and SL
English B HL and SL
Individuals and Societies
Information Technology in a
Global Society HL and SL
Business and Management
HL and SL
History HL and SL
Psychology HL and SL
IB Courses at ALS
Experimental Sciences
Biology HL and SL
Physics HL and SL
Chemistry HL and SL
Fine Arts
Visual Arts HL and SL
Spanish Ab Initio
Mathematics
Mathematics HL
Mathematics Methods SL
Math Studies SL
Academic Assessment
External assessment (graded by IB examiner)
–
–
–
–
generally 75-80% of overall score
exams in May
papers
artwork and performances
Internal assessment (graded by teacher, checked
by IB examiner)
– generally 20-25% of overall score
– papers
– oral exams
Diploma requirements
A score of 1 through 7 is awarded in each academic area.
CAS requirement must be met satisfactorily (pass/fail)
TOK and Extended Essay grades combine to give score
between 0 and 3; both TOK and the Extended Essay
must be completed
Overall diploma score maximum is 45
Minimum score needed to earn the diploma is 24
(with additional conditions)
ALS Conversion
Grading System
IB Grading
Percentage
Descriptor
7
87-100
Exceptional work, virtually
error free
6
77-86
Work of a very high quality
5
67-76
Work of a good quality
4
54-66
Work consistent with a passing
grade
3
44-53
Work just below the passing
level
2
34-43
Work significantly below the
passing level
1
0-33
Not submitted or very poor
quality work
IB Recognition Policies
United States
– IB is widely recognized; acceptance by universities
is increasing
– IB Diploma Program is recognized as one of the
most challenging high school curriculums
– some schools offer sophomore standing for
successful completion of the Diploma Program,
usually with a score minimum
– university credit or placement offered for higher
level scores of 5 or more, though this may vary;
credit or placement is generally not offered for
standard level scores
– online searchable database for university policies
IB Recognition Policies
United Kingdom
– IB diploma required for acceptance at selective
colleges
– minimum scores for certain subjects may be
required; acceptance may be contingent on
obtaining sufficient scores
other European countries
– generally require the IB diploma
– may have additional requirements; e.g., Germany
requires bilingual diploma
Australia
– IB diploma desirable but not required
– IB scores often required
IB Recognition Policies
Canada
– IB diploma very desirable but not required, may
facilitate admission
– Credit given for HL scores of 6 or 7
Korea
– Seoul National University accepts the IB diploma
for students educated overseas for at least three
years
Searchable database
http://www.ibo.org/ibo/index.cfm?page=/ibo/servi
ces/universities&language=en
The ALS Curriculum
• Incorporating the IB into the ALS
curriculum
• Students who do not wish to complete the
Full Diploma can instead do the ALS
Diploma – this is a modified version of the
full IB Diploma, but incorporating all of it’s
core elements
Comparing the ALS and IB
Diplomas
The IB Diploma
The ALS Diploma
6 IB subjects, three at HL and 3 at SL
6 subjects, a combination of HL, SL and
ALS examinations
TOK externally moderated
TOK marked by ALS teachers
CAS (150 hours)
CAS (75 hours)
Extended essay (externally moderated)
4000 words
2000 words (graded by an ALS
supervisor)
Taking a subject at non-IB level
• Students taking a subject at ALS level complete
the same requirements (including coursework) as
the SL IB students
• Coursework is graded by their teacher rather than
an external moderator
• Students who take an IB exam but not the full IB
Diploma still receive a certificate of achievement
• IB Diploma candidates also receive their ALS
Diploma
THANK YOU