International Baccalaureate (IB)

W.E. Mitchell Middle School

Cordova High School

History of the International Baccalaureate (IB)

• Founded in Geneva in 1968 as a non-profit educational foundation

• Teachers at the International School of Geneva along with teachers from other international schools created the IB Diploma Programme

• Middle Year Programme was created in 1994 for students ages 11-16

Guiding Question

How can the IB benefit my child?

International Baccalaureate (IB) Mission Statement

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.

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.

Learner Profile

• At the heart of the IB Programme Continuum is the Learner Profile

• The IB Programme aims to help students develop as lifelong learners in the context of the Learner Profile

IB learners strive to be

Inquirers Knowledgeable

Thinkers Communicators

Principled Open-minded

Caring Risk-takers

Balanced Reflective

Personal Project

• Culmination of the MYP (10th grade)

• Students choose the project- examples include:

– An original work of art

– A written piece of work on a social or cultural issue

– A piece of creative writing,

– An invention,

– The presentation of a developed business, management or organizational plan

– Coordination of a special event

– Development of a new student or community organization

Classes in the MYP

• Arts (performing and visual)

• Design

• Language Acquisition (Mandarin or Spanish at the Middle School, French is offered in high school)

• Language and Literature (English Language Arts)

• Individuals and Societies (Social Science)

• Science

• Mathematics

• Physical Education

Transition Challenges

• Modified block schedule

• More subjects

• Age related learning

• Summative assessments (including mid-terms and finals)

• Acquire and maintain good study habits

• Become independent and responsible

Diploma Programme

The IB Diploma Programme is a two year course of study students begin in 11th grade.

It is internationally-recognized as producing top students adept at critical thinking and problem solving.

What does it take to get an IB Diploma?

• Students take one course from each of the following subjects.

– Language and Literature

– Language Acquisition

– Individuals and Societies

– Experimental Sciences

– Mathematics

– The Arts (can substitute a second class from a category above)

Higher Level and Standard Level Courses

• Students take 3 Higher Level Courses

– Minimum of 240 hours of instruction

– All are two years long

• Students take 3 Standard Level Courses

– Minimum of 150 hours of instruction

– At least one must be two years long

Diploma Programme Core

• In addition to their coursework, students must complete the DP Core.

– Theory of Knowledge - a two-semester course that explores the different ways we know what we know.

– Creativity, Action, Service - 150 hours of extracurricular activity, that allows students to experience a holistic education.

– Extended Essay - A college level research paper on a subject of the student's choice.

Earning an IB Diploma

• Students earn a score of 1 - 7 in each of their six IB courses.

• Scores are determined based on a combination of end of course exams and a teacher scored assessment.

• Students can earn between 0 and 3 additional points for the DP Core.

• A score of 24 earns an IB Diploma.

Benefits of an IB Diploma

• Internationally recognized

• Shown to double admittance to selective universities

• UC/CSU system offers 30 quarter units (20 semester units) for an earned IB Diploma with a score of 30 or higher

What can parents do to help?

• Make sure your child attends school regularly

• Monitor progress through the student planner, Managebac, the Power Parent Portal, and communication with the school

• Reading, watching, or listening to national and international news and discussing their impact

• Encourage and assist your child to become involved in their community

• Visit the school's website regularly

Visit our Upcoming Parent Nights!

• W.E. Mitchell Middle School

Tuesday, February 10

6:30 pm

Gym

• Cordova High School

Wednesday, February 11

6:30 pm

Gym

Comments or Questions

Diploma Programme (DP)

Charley Gilmore, IB DP Coordinator

(916) 294-2450

cgilmore@fcusd.org

Middle Years Programme (MYP)

Amy Strawn, IB MYP Coordinator

(916) 635-8460 and (916) 294-2450

astrawn@fcusd.org

Resources/References

• Ada Merritt K-8 Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2012 <http:/adamerritt.dadeschools.net>.

• "International Education - The International Baccalaureate Offers High Quality Programmes of Education to a Worldwide Community of Schools." International Education - The International Baccalaureate Offers High Quality Programmes of Education to a Worldwide Community of Schools. International Baccalaureate, 2005. Web. 26 Nov. 2012. <http://www.ibo.org/>.