Mastery Based Learning: Arts Education AP and IB Courses
All courses in arts education may be used to help fulfill elective credits for high school graduation. Students may elect to complete concentrations in the arts.
Listed below are AP and IB courses currently available in the arts.
Arts
Discipline
Course
Code
Title
Type of
Course
Special Conditions
Satisfaction
From http://www.ibo.org: The aims and assessment objectives are the same at
both SL and HL, with additional assessment objectives at HL. The assessment
criteria for SL and HL are related, with additional requirements at HL.
External and internal
assessments as identified
by the IBO (see special
conditions)
(AP or IB)
Dance
51508
IB Dance SL
IB
Dance
51518
IB Dance HL
IB
Key features of the curriculum and assessment models
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Available at standard (SL) and higher levels (HL)
The minimum prescribed number of hours is 150 for SL and 240 for HL
Students are assessed both externally and internally
External assessment consists of a) the submission (on DVD) of dance works
composed by the student, and b) a formal written report which analyses the
similarities and differences between two dance styles drawn from different
dance cultures and/or traditions
Internal assessment consists of the submission (on DVD) of the student’s
performance of various styles of dances, presented at an open showing.
Music
52157
AP Music Theory
AP
From: http://www.apcentral.collegeboard.org: The AP Music Theory Exam is
intended for secondary school students who have completed music theory
studies comparable to introductory college courses in music theory. Because
college curricula vary for beginning music theory courses, scores for the AP Music
Theory Exam are reported in composite form and as aural and nonaural
subscores. These subscores inform placement decisions, especially for music
departments offering separate courses for written theory and aural skills.
AP score of 3,4, or 5
Music
52158
IB Music Theory
IB
Music
52208
IB Music
History/Appreciation
IB
From http://www.ibo.org: Both standard level (SL) and higher level (HL) music
students are required to study musical perception. SL students in music are then
required to choose one of three options:
 creating (SLC)
 solo performing (SLS)
 group performing (SLG).
External and internal
assessments as identified
by the IBO (see special
conditions)
1
HL students are required to present both creating and solo performing.
Key features of the curriculum and assessment models
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Theatre
Arts
53208
IB Theatre Arts SL
IB
Available at standard (SL) and higher levels (HL)
The minimum prescribed number of hours is 150 for SL and 240 for HL
Students are assessed both externally and internally
External assessment consists of a) the Listening paper (musical perception
questions), and b) the Musical links investigation (a written media script
investigating the significant musical links between two or more pieces from
distinct musical cultures)
 Internal assessment consists, at HL, of a) Creating, and b) Solo performing. At
SL students choose one option from among the following: a) Creating, b)
Solo performing, c) Group performing.
From http://www.ibo.org
Key features of the curriculum and assessment models
Theatre
Arts
53218
IB Theatre Arts HL
IB
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Theatre
Arts
53508
IB Film
IB
External and internal
assessments as identified
by the IBO (see special
conditions)
Available at standard (SL) and higher levels (HL)
The minimum prescribed number of hours is 150 for SL and 240 for HL
Students are assessed both externally and internally
External assessment consists of a) the Research investigation (students
must undertake personal dramaturgical research into an unfamiliar
theatrical practice for the production of a play or theatre piece), and b)
the Practical performance proposal (students must adopt a directorial
perspective and write a rationale, outline and detailed description of a
proposal for staging a performance)
Internal assessment consists of a) the Theatre performance and
production presentation (students must give an oral presentation on
their involvement in the performance and production aspects of all
areas of the core syllabus), and b) the Independent project portfolio
(students must prepare an independent project portfolio that shows the
development of their independent project and its connection to their
experiences in the core syllabus).
From http://www.ibo.org: Although the standard level (SL) and higher level (HL)
syllabus outlines share elements, there is a clear distinction between both the
explicit and implicit demands at these levels.
2
External and internal
assessments as identified
by the IBO (see special
conditions)
Key features of the curriculum and assessment models





Available at standard (SL) and higher levels (HL)
The minimum prescribed number of hours is 150 for SL and 240 for HL
Students are assessed both externally and internally
External assessment consists of a) the Independent study (rationale,
script and list of sources for a short documentary production on an
aspect of film theory and/or film history, based on particular films from
more than one country), and b) the Presentation (an oral presentation
of a detailed critical analysis of a continuous extract from a prescribed
film)
Internal assessment consists of the Production portfolio (a student’s
completed film project and its accompanying documentation (at HL
includes a trailer).
Visual Arts
54487
AP Art History
AP
From: http://www.apcentral.collegeboard.org: While the course does not
assume prior training or seek primarily to identify students who will major in art
history in college, it does require a high degree of commitment to academic work
and to the purposes of a program designed to meet college standards.
AP score of 3,4, or 5
Visual Arts
54488
IB Art History and
Appreciation SL
IB
From http://www.ibo.org
External and internal
assessments as identified
by the IBO (see special
conditions)
Key features of the curriculum and assessment models
Visual Arts
54498
IB Art History and
Appreciation HL
IB
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Available at standard (SL) and higher levels (HL)
The minimum prescribed number of hours is 150 for SL and 240 for HL
Students are assessed both externally and internally
External assessment at Option A (for HLA and SLA) consists of Studio
work at 60%. The student prepares a selection of his or her studio work
in the form of an exhibition. This is externally assessed by a visiting
examiner following an interview with the student about the work.
External assessment at Option B (for HLB and SLB) consists of the
Investigation workbook at 60%. The student presents selected pages of
his or her investigation workbooks that have been produced during the
course. This selection is externally assessed by a visiting examiner
following an interview with the student.
Internal assessment at Option A (for HLA and SLA) consists of the
Investigation workbook at 40%. The student presents selected pages of
his or her investigation workbooks that have been produced during the
course. This selection is internally assessed by the teacher and
3
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Visual Arts
54527
AP Studio Art:
Drawing
AP
Visual Arts
54537
AP Studio Art: 2D
Design
AP
Visual Arts
54547
AP Studio Art: 3D
Design
AP
externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course.
Internal assessment at Option B (for HLB and SLB) consists of Studio
work at 40%. The student prepares a selection of his or her studio work.
This selection is internally assessed by the teacher and externally
moderated by the IB at the end of the course.
From: http://www.apcentral.collegeboard.org: The AP Studio Art portfolios are
designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of
art. AP Studio Art is not based on a written exam; instead, students submit
portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year. The AP Studio Art Program
consists of three portfolios — 2-D Design, 3-D Design and Drawing —
corresponding to the most common college foundation courses.
Portfolio submission
meeting criteria for
quality, concentration,
and breadth, as identified
by the College Board
All students who are willing to accept the challenge of a rigorous academic
curriculum should be considered for admission to AP courses. AP Studio Art is for
highly motivated students who are seriously interested in the study of art; the
program demands significant commitment. It is highly recommended that studio
art students have previous training in art. At the same time the College Board
encourages the elimination of barriers that restrict access to AP courses for
students from ethnic, racial and socioeconomic groups that have traditionally
been underrepresented in the AP Program.
The portfolios share a basic, three-section structure, which requires the student
to show a fundamental competence and range of understanding of visual
concerns (and methods). Each of the portfolios asks the student to demonstrate
a depth of investigation and process of discovery through the Concentration
section (Section II). In the Breadth section (Section III), the student is asked to
demonstrate a serious grounding in visual principles and material techniques.
The Quality section (Section I) permits the student to select the works that best
exhibit a synthesis of form, technique and content.
Notes for AP Courses: In general, the AP composite score points are set so that the lowest raw score needed to earn an AP Exam score of 5 is equivalent to the average score among college
students earning grades of A in the college course. Similarly, AP Exam scores of 4 are equivalent to college grades of A–, B+, and B. AP Exam scores of 3 are equivalent to college grades of B–, C+,
and C.
AP Score Qualification
5 - Extremely well qualified
4 - Well qualified
3 - Qualified
2 - Possibly qualified
1 - No recommendation
4