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© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007
Diploma Programme
The unique benefits of the DP
What is IB?
 IB student video
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© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007
Contents
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IB mission statement
Learner profile
What is the IB Diploma Programme?
Diploma Programme curriculum
Subjects
Curriculum contents
Assessment
University recognition
IB philosophy
Waterloo Schools “next steps”
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Organization: What is the IB mission and legal status?
The IB is a non profit foundation, motivated by its educational mission, focused on the student.
Mission
Core values
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring,
knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better
and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and
respect.
Motivated by a mission
We aim to create a better
world through education
To this end the organization works with schools, governments and
international organizations to develop challenging programmes of
international education and rigorous assessment.
These programmes encourage students across the world to become
active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that
other people, with their differences, can also be right.
Legal status
The IB is a non-profit making Swiss Foundation registered in
1968. The activities of the organization are determined by an Act
of Foundation approved by the Swiss authorities.
Partnerships
We achieve our goals by
working together
Quality
We value our reputation
for high standards
Participation
We actively involve our stakeholders
International mindedness
We embrace diversity
Further resources:
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The Annual Review including accounts is available on www.ibo.org.
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Programmes : What is the Learner Profile?
It’s the IB mission statement translated into a set of learning outcomes for the 21st century.
IB learners strive to be:
Inquirers
Knowledgeable
Thinkers
Communicators
Principled
Open-minded
Caring
Risk-takers
The attributes of the learner profile express the values inherent to the
IB continuum of international education: these are values that should
infuse all elements of the three programmes and, therefore, the
culture and ethos of all IB World Schools.
Balanced
Reflective
IB programmes promote the education of the whole person,
emphasizing intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth
through all domains of knowledge.
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Programmes: What is the Diploma Programme?
The three IB programmes each contain four core elements
Diploma
Ages 16 - 19
Curriculum
Student
assessment
Professional
development
School
evaluation
The IB Diploma Programme is designed as an
academically challenging and balanced
programme of education with final examinations
that prepares students, normally aged 16 – 19,
for success at university and life beyond
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Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain?
The curriculum contains six subject groups and a core of three parts.
Students study
concurrently:
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three subjects at
higher level
(240 hours each).
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three subjects at standard
level
(150 hours each).
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all three parts of the core.
The IB Learner Profile and
the core are central to the
philosophy of the Diploma
Programme.
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IB Staff
District Coordinator: Sherice Ortman
Counseling: Amy Denholm – E
Blair Thielen – W
Librarian/Technology: Ron Morlan
CAS: Dianne Barton – E/W
TOK: Connie Lubbert – E/W
Language A: Studies in Language and Literature (1)
Ellen Shay – W Matt Tracy – E
Language B: Language Acquisition/Spanish (2)
Julie Smith – E/W
Individuals and Societies: (3)
History: Joseph Samuelson – E/W
Economics: John Balong – E/W
Sciences: (4) Biology: Chris Winstead – E/W
Chemistry: Vaughn Gross – E/W
Mathematics: (5) Krista Platte – E Gary Sinwell – W
The Arts: (6) Visual Arts: Deidra Noborikawa – E
Carrie Schaefer - W
Theatre Arts: Bill Dawson – W
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Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum
contain?
There are three core requirements
The extended essay:
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4,000 words
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Offers the opportunity to investigate
a research question of individual
interest
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Familiarizes students with the
independent research and writing
skills expected at university
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Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum
contain?
Creativity, action and service
(CAS):
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Encourages students to be involved
in artistic pursuits, sports and
community service
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Education outside the classroom
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Development of the learner profile
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Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum
contain?
Theory of knowledge:
Metacognition –to think about one’s thinking
1.
2.
3.
What do I know?
How do I know it?
Why should anyone believe me?
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Interdisciplinary
Explores the nature of knowledge
across disciplines
Encouraging an appreciation of
other cultural perspectives
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Services: What is special about IB assessment?
IB assessment is rigorous, criterion related, consistent and differentiating of student ability.
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The diploma is graded over 45 points
giving ample scope to differentiate
student ability
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Marks awarded for each course range
from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest).
All 4,000 examiners are ‘quality
checked’ through a process of
moderation.
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Diploma is awarded to students who
gain at least 24 points.
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The IB undertakes random inspections
of schools during exams.
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Diploma Programme assessment –
principles and practice – available on
www.ibo.org
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Results are published on 5 July for
May session
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Diploma Programme assessment
includes both final examinations and
internal assessment undertaken by the
teacher to IB criteria and then
externally moderated by the IB.
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University recognition: How well is the diploma recognized by
universities?
The IB diploma is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities.
The IB works closely with universities in all regions of the world to
gain recognition for the IB diploma:
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Direct online access for university admissions officers and government officials to
syllabuses and recent examination papers
A database of university admission policies on www.ibo.org
Recognition in over 100 countries
Recognition by over 2,000 universities
Some universities offer scholarships and advanced placement for IB students
Students applying to a particular university can access their grades
directly from the IB’s secure web site.
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Values: What are the values that drive the IB organization?
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Philosophy: What is the IB philosophy?
 “Through high quality education we create a better
world.”
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Idealistic, peace promoting
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Culturally aware
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Quality, standards
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University recognition and preparedness
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The Possibilities
 A former IB student
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What does my child need to do next?
 Talk with Middle School counselor about pre-IB
courses in 8th grade
 Talk with HS counselors, Amy Denholm (East) or Blair
Theilin (West), about pre-IB courses in 9th grade
 Visit district, East, or West High websites to learn
more about the program
 Meet with IB coordinator, Sherice Ortman, to further
discuss the program
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