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Q: What Is
The IB Program?
A:
The
International Baccalaureate (IB) Program is an
internationally recognized course of study for highly
motivated 11th and 12th grade students. Currently, the
program is offered in over 800 secondary schools in nearly
100 countries. To earn the IB diploma, students must pass
examinations in 6 subject areas, write an extended essay of
some 4,000 words describing an independent research project,
complete 150 hours of creative, action, and service
activities (CAS), and take part in a critical thinking
seminar called Theory of Knowledge. This rigorous,
comprehensive curriculum offers an integrated approach to
learning while exposing students to a diversity of
viewpoints in hopes of fostering tolerance and intercultural
understanding.
Students who
take IB courses without fulfilling the requirements of the
full diploma program may earn certificates for passing exams
in selected IB courses.
Q: This is
the first I've heard about the International Baccalaureate.
Where did it originate and why?
A:
Founded in the
1960's, the International Baccalaureate Organization grew
out of a necessity to create a common curriculum and
university entry credential for the sons and daughters of
diplomats, ambassadors, and other internationally mobile
families. When schools not serving the international
community began to recognize the quality of an IB education
and the esteem of its diploma, they adopted the program.
Today, IBO is
based in Geneva, Switzerland and is administered by the
International Baccalaureate Curriculum and Assessment Center
in Cardiff, Wales. The organization employs educators
around the world to revise curriculum, evaluate student
achievement, and provide teacher training and other
educational services to member schools.
Q: What are
the advantages of taking the IB curriculum?
A:
The
International Baccalaureate Diploma is possibly the most
distinguished academic credential a high school student can
earn. Those who complete this program enjoy a competitive
edge in admission to any college or university in the
world. The reasons are clear:
-
the IB
curriculum is an integrated, comprehensive, and balanced
mix of sciences and humanities
-
the IB
curriculum provides an opportunity to study some subjects
in depth while covering others more broadly
-
students are
evaluated according to the highest international standards
of assessment over a two year period
-
students
receive explicit instruction in critical thinking and
learn the interrelationship of academic subjects
-
students
develop a respect for cultural diversity and gain a
broader world view.
Q: How is IB different from
Advanced Placement? Is one better than the other?
A:
The IB is a
comprehensive program that requires students to demonstrate
knowledge and skills through internal and external
assessments in six interrelated academic areas. Schools
that are authorized to teach the IB curriculum must be
equipped to teach all subject areas plus provide ample
opportunity for students to participate in sports, theater
productions, and community service. AP, on the other hand,
offers over 30 different courses form which students are
allowed to pick and choose. Typically, students take only a
few AP courses in their area of strength; rarely do they
take two years of challenging courses from all areas of the
humanities and sciences as is required of IB students.
While neither
program is better than the other, each has a different aim.
Students whose main interest is gaining college credit will
probably choose to take AP courses, although many IB courses
prepare student for the IB exam as well and students can
take specific IB courses for college credit without becoming
engaged in the full diploma program. Students who plan to
pursue a career with an international outlook or who wish to
attend college in another country will choose IB.
Additionally, students who hope to attend selective
institutions may receive preferential admissions
consideration as well as course credit, and may even receive
advanced standing.
Q: Why should
I encourage my child to take IB courses?
A:
Studies
done in the 1980's indicate that students who succeeded in
the IB program had higher SAT scores and higher grade point
averages then their classmates. Besides the depth of
learning that students gain in IB courses, the program
forces students to learn to manage time and they acquire
solid research, problem-solving, and critical thinking
skills.
Also, students
who complete this course learn the value of an education
that extends beyond the classroom. The international
perspective of IB and the CAS activities enable students to
gain a world view and a sense of commitment to the local
community.
Q: What
preparation in Middle School does my child need to succeed
in an IB program?
A:
By far the most critical factor needed to meet the
challenges of IB is for a youngster to make a firm
commitment to academic study. Middle School students are
advised, though not required, to take whatever enriched
level courses are available in eighth grade, e.g., Math
Course I, Advanced Foreign Language, etc., and to
demonstrate sufficient academic preparation to qualify for
admission into the honors program in English and Social
Studies in ninth grade.
Q: What
preparation in high school does my child need to succeed in
IB?
A:
Because the
IB curriculum is so demanding, it is necessary for IB
candidates to follow a pre-IB course of study in ninth and
tenth grade. Students should apply for admission to Honors
English-9 and Honors Global History-9 and enroll in
Humanities - a special pre-IB course offered in the Pre-IB
and GE Scholars programs - in addition to Regents level
Math, Advanced Biology, and Accelerated French or Spanish -
II.
Q:
I understand
that schools must be approved by the International
Baccalaureate Organization in Geneva, Switzerland before
they can offer the IB curriculum. Has Schenectady High
School received authorization to teach the IB curriculum?
A:
Schools that
apply for membership in the IB organization must undergo a
rigorous selection process that takes several years.
Schenectady High School was approved by the International
Baccalaureate Organization in January 2000 and will offer a
complete IB curriculum starting in September 2001.
Q:
IB sounds
interesting, but my child planned to enroll in Schenectady
High School's Technical Program. does the pre-IB curriculum
leave room in students' schedules for the Technical courses
they need if they decide to continue in the Technical
Program in eleventh and twelfth grade?
A: Students who are unsure
whether they might ultimately want IB or the Technical
Program can take Design and Drawing for Production in ninth
grade and Introduction to Mechanical Theory and Introduction
to DC Theory in tenth grade. If the decision is made to
enter IB in eleventh grade, Design and Drawing for
Production would satisfy the art requirement in pre-IB.
Therefore, it will be possible to earn an IB diploma and a
Technical endorsement at the same time.
Q: Although I
am a Schenectady resident, my child currently attends a
private school. Can he/she transfer to Schenectady High
School in 11th grade to take the IB program?
A:
Because the IB
curriculum is so rigorous, it is preferable that students
complete an IBO approved pre-IB program at Schenectady High
School. Upon application, however, transfer students may be
admitted into IB in eleventh grade upon meeting the criteria
for admission.
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