International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program

A Rigorous Standard for 21st Century Studies

Michael Greenfield, Assistant Superintendent for CurriculumDominic Zanot, Teacher of Social Studies

Lisa Monti, Teacher of Visual ArtsAidan Burns, Teacher of Mathematics

October 21, 2009

Guiding Questions

• Why IB?

• What are the core elements of the IB Diploma Program?

• What is the plan for bringing the program to Harrison High School?

This is a story about the big public conversation the nation is not having about education…

…whether an entire generation of kids will fail to make the grade in the global economy because they can't think their way through abstract problems, work in teams, distinguish good information from bad or speak a language other than English.

Time Magazine, 12/18/2006

“…to prepare students to assume a meaningful role in

today’s global society —meshes well with Americans’ heightened awareness that they must compete for jobs

with people on other continents, and that they

need a world-class education to succeed.”

IB Mission

Why IB?

• Comprehensive and Systemic Approach to Secondary Education

• Celebrates “Internationalism”• College Readiness• Competitive Advantage (Eligibility)

International Baccalaureate (IB)

… We believe deeply in our core values of rigor, equity, access, and adaptability. We believe too

that the International Baccalaureate program provides multiple entry points for students to

develop their capacities and to be challenged and enriched; we believe as well that the International

Baccalaureate program fosters inclusivity and celebrates and capitalizes upon the diversity that is humankind. We celebrate this in our children

every day and we believe that the implementation of the International Baccalaureate program will

enhance our ability to engage each student in the totality of their development as human beings in

an ever more connected and diverse society.

IB: Ideals & Pragmatism

Eligibility College Readiness

Facets of College Readiness

from Redefining College Readiness, David Conley 2009

Intellectual Openness

Inquisitiveness

Analysis, Reasoning and Argumentation

Research skills

Writing

College Readiness Study• 62% earned a bachelor’s degree in 4

years• 30% more students finished with BA in 4

years taking two or more IB courses than national study of AP students

• Paired study of students: those taking IB English and IB Math 15x more likely to graduate

Rockville Centre Study, 2006

What are the key features of IB?

Program Design• Diploma Candidates

– 3 High Level (HL)– 3 Standard Level (SL)– Theory of Knowledge (TOK)– Extended essay (4000 words)– Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) 150 hours

• Certificate Studies

IB - Features • balances subject breadth and depth, and considers the

nature of knowledge across disciplines through the unique theory of knowledge course

• encourages international-mindedness

• ensures self-directed learning and metacognition

• develops character through creativity, action, servicerequirement

• rigorous external assessment with published global standards, making this a qualification welcomed by universities worldwide

Group 3 – Individuals & Societies

IB and Performance Assessment

Through IB students will…Quotes of Performance Assessment are in Bold.

A. “Act on what you know and understand” vs. “Prove to me you know and understand”.

B. “The student draws knowledge and understanding out of what they have learned” vs. “Filling the student up with knowledge and understanding”.

C. “Becoming your course of study” vs. “Being tested on your course of study”.

IB and Inquiry

-Through IB Students will…Quotes of Inquiry are in Bold.

A. “Create their own questions” vs. “Answering questions already created”.

B. “Intrinsically desire knowledge and understanding” vs. “Extrinsically desiring knowledge and understanding”.

C. “Research what motivates them” vs. “Researching what they are told”.

IB and Information Literacy

-Through IB students will…Quotes of Information Literacy are in Bold.A. “Acquire, collate, and evaluate sources” vs. “Acquiring sources”.

B. “Determine whether or not their research is original” vs. “Researching what has already been done”.

C. “Separate truth from fiction and signal from noise” vs. “Assuming if it is written, it must be true”.

Group 6 – Arts

Group 4 – Mathematics

Benefits of the IB Math Program

• Portfolio Assessment• Preparation for

College• Internationalism

IB Learner Profile

IB learners strive to be inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers,

knowledgeable, principled,open-minded, caring, balanced and

reflective.

The Plan

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Applic

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- Part A

Applic

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- Part B

First C

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Review

First IB

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Gradua

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What Colleges say about IB…

Cornell is a leader among American universities in enrolling undergraduate students who have earned the International Baccalaureate (I.B.). Cornell regards the I.B. program as a rigorous advanced program of study, and you'll be pleased to find similar opportunities at Cornell through interdisciplinary courses, independent majors, honors programs, and undergraduate research opportunities.

What Colleges say about IB…

“Binghamton University recognizes schools offering the International Baccalaureate program. The International Baccalaureate curriculum is the most challenging and comprehensive curriculum available and IB participation is recommended, taken into account and considered during the application process…

…students in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program may receive up to 32 credits. To receive the full 32 credits, the IB Diploma must be completed with a score of 30 or more points and the student must complete at least three Higher Level exams with a score of 5 or higher.”

Q & A