IB_AISR_INFORMATION_2008 v3

IB Diploma Programme Information Night

American International School of Rotterdam

March 12th 2009 Evelyn Armstrong, Lynda Boot & Ruth

Lopez

Agenda for this evening:

The IBO’s goalThe IB Diploma ProgrammeIB Diploma RequirementsStatisticsDiploma versus CertificatesUniversity AdmissionQ & A

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The IBO’s goal

To provide students with the values and opportunities that will enable them to develop sound judgment, make wise

choices and respect others in the global community

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The IB Diploma Programme:• Equips students with the skills and

attitudes necessary for success in higher education and employment;

• Is a demanding two-year pre-university course leading to examinations;

• Is for highly motivated students of ages 16 to 19.

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The IB Diploma Programme… …is different because:• It is a comprehensive two-year

curriculum;• It is based on international standards

applied equally to all schools;• It has a rigorous assessment;• It promotes global vision and

emphasizes critical thinking.

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The IB Diploma Programme requires:

• One subject from each of the six groups

• At least three but not more than four taken at higher level (HL)

• Others at standard level (SL)

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The IB Diploma Programme consists of:

• High Level (HL) courses: 240 teaching hours recommended

• Standard Level (SL) courses: 150 teaching hours recommended

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Group 1 – Language A1• Encourages good

writing and oral skills and respect for the literary heritage of a first language

• 45 languages for examination taken self-taught or tutor taught

AISR: English HL/SL8 AISR 2009

Group 2 – Second Language• Enables students to

use the language in a range of contexts

• Focuses on written and spoken communication

• Offered by AISR in HL or SL:

French BDutch B Spanish B

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Group 3 – Individuals and Societies• Studies history

from an international perspective.

• Offered by AISR:

History SLEuropean History HL

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Group 4 – Experimental Sciences• Develops practical

laboratory skills and collaborative learning

• Creates awareness of moral and ethical issues or social responsibility

• Offered by AISR in HL or SL:

BiologyPhysics

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Group 5 – Mathematics• Offers a choice in

Mathematical studies at SL or

• Mathematics HL/SL, for students needing a sound mathematical background required by certain universities

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Group 6 – The Arts / Electives• Visual Arts• Information

Technology in a Global Society (ITGS)

• Economics SL

Core – Extended Essay

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The extended essay (about 4000 words):

• Offers candidates the opportunity to investigate a topic of special interest;

• Acquaints the candidate with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected at universities.

Core – Extended Essay

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• May be written in one of 25 available subjects

• Recommended: 40 hours private study and writing time.

Core – Theory of Knowledge• TOK stimulates critical

reflection on knowledge and experience;

• Students examine the grounds for moral, political and aesthetic judgments.

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Core – Theory of Knowledge

TOK challenges students:

• To question the bases of knowledge;

• To be aware of subjective and ideological biases;

• To develop the ability to analyse evidence.

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Core – Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)Creativity, Action,

Service (CAS):• Helps students

become responsible, compassionate citizens.

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Core – Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)Creativity:• Involves arts

activities and creativity shown in designing and implementing service projects.

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Core – Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)Action:• Participating in

individual and team sports

• Taking part in expeditions, local and international projects.

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Hoops of hope @ AISR (Jan 19th, 2008)

Core – Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)Service:• Taking part in

community and social services

• Working with refugees or homeless people.

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IB Diploma Programme - Assessment• Each subject is graded on a scale

of 1 to 7;• The IB Diploma can be awarded if

the candidate has at least 24 points;

• Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay can add up to 3 points;

• Additional requirements:• CAS must be completed

succesfully• A passing score for TOK and

EE.

IB Diploma Programme - AssessmentAISR teachers and IB examiners work together to ensure that students demonstrate what they have learned;The IB Diploma is externally assessed;Academic judgments about quality of student work rest with over 6,000 IB examiners worldwide;Chief examiners for each subject have international authority in their fields.

The IB Programme Statistics (May 2008)IB Programme schools: 2217 (WW), 594

(EMEA) Countries with schools in IB programme: 126 Students enrolled: 596.000Diplomas awarded: 28078 (WW), 10510

(EMEA)

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In May 2008, of the candidates who attempted

the diploma 79.0% succeeded in earning it.

At AISR, the percentage was 83.3%

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The programme is very demanding and not everyone who tries receives a diploma

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Diploma versus Certificates• Students are encouraged to take the

most challenging programme at which they can succeed;

• Students may choose to take IB classes only in areas of their strength;

• Those who elect to take fewer than six subjects are awarded Certificates for completed examinations.

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Timetable for an 11th grade IB Diploma Student

Group 1 English SL/HLGroup 2 Foreign Language SL/HLGroup 3 History SL/HLGroup 4 Biology SL/HL or Physics

SL/HLGroup 5 Math SL/HL or Math Studies

SL

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Timetable for an 11th grade IB Diploma Student

Group 6 Choice of Art SL/HL, IT Global

Society HL or Economics SL

TOK - Theory of KnowledgeCAS – Creativity, Action, ServiceIB Diploma Period (study period and

Extended Essay)

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Timetable for an IB Certificate 11th Grader

IB English or English 11IB History or non-IB Social StudiesIB Maths or Algebra IIIB Science or non-IB ScienceIB or non-IB Foreign Language Other elective choices that are

offered: Art, Photography, Yearbook or another IB class.

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IB Programme – University Admission• Most universities in England require the IB Diploma.  

• Universities in Scotland prefer the IB Diploma but will look at completion of IB certificates and marks received.

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IB Programme – University Admission• Some Canadian Universities

may give students the option of applying on the strength of the IB Diploma and their exam scores versus the US High School Diploma. (That means SAT exams may not be required for those schools!)

• They may also give class credit for HL exams scores of 5, 6 or 7.

• Most selective Canadian universities are looking for good grades and high academics. IB Diploma encouraged.

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IB Programme – University Admission• U.S. Universities do not require

the IB Diploma for admission. They will look favorably upon a student who completes it and may give first year credit for classes if a student does well on the HL exams (score over 5).

• Basically US admissions officers are looking to see that a student has challenged himself in high school.

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IB Programme – University Admission• Universities in Holland require

the IB Diploma for admission. Depending on the subject a student wants to study, they may require Mathematics SL as part of the Diploma.

• Most European universities require not only the IB Diploma, but may also require that the student take their own admission entrance exam.

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IB courses at AISR work together to meet the High School graduation requirements:

English 4 yearsMath 3-4 yearsScience 3-4 yearsHistory 3-4 yearsForeign Language 3-4 yearsPE, Health and Computers 1 Year

eachGeneral ElectivesA minimum of 24 Credits over 4 years is

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Typical Requirements for Universities:EnglishMathsAlgebra 1, GeometryAlgebra II/Trig, Pre-Calculus/CalculusScienceAt least 1-2 lab sciencesSocial StudiesForeign Lang

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4 years3-4 years

3-4 years

3-4 years2-3 years (of same

lang.) 

Typical Requirements for Universities:They also like to see:ComputersVisual and Performing ArtsAcademic electives in general

Are you taking the hardest program that is offered?

Are you stretching yourself academically? 

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1 year1 year

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The Choice is Yours -

To IB or not to IB?

That is the question!!