International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

International Baccalaureate

Diploma Programme

Brooke Point High School An IB World

School

What is the IB Diploma Programme (IB DP)?

“Education for a better world.” It is a rigorous, two-year liberal-arts program that

leads to exams in six different subject areas and is aimed at developing global citizens and life-long learners.

The program offers a balanced, inquiry-based curriculum noted for its depth, challenge, and international perspective.

Beyond completing the courses, students are required to engage in community service, individual research, and an inquiry into the nature of knowledge.

Growth and Development of the IB Diploma Programme

Began in 1968 in Europe First programs in the U.S. in the early

70s First program in VA at George Mason

High School in Falls Church in 1981 Currently 717 Diploma Programme

schools in the U.S. and 37 in VA

www.ibo.org

IB Learner Profile

• Inquirers• Knowledgeable• Thinkers• Communicators• Principled

• Open-minded• Caring• Risk-takers• Balanced• Reflective

IB programmes promote the education of the whole person, emphasizing intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth through all domains of knowledge.

IB learners strive IB learners strive to be:to be:

What makes IB special?

Students are encouraged to: ask challenging questions work hard learn how to learn develop a strong sense of their own identity

and culture develop the ability to communicate with and

understand people from other countries and cultures

become independent, self-motivated learners.

What goes on in a typical IB classroom?

Student-centered discussion Student-generated inquiry Whole-class instruction Critical thinking and writing Student-designed project

development Problem-based learning Simulations and investigations Collaborative activities

What universities say about IB:

• The College of William and Mary :The International Baccalaureate program is extremely rigorous, the best possible preparation for both college work and life in the twenty-first century.

• Dr. Eugene Carson of Virginia Tech states:IB students who attended [Virginia Tech] as freshmen significantly outperformed all other freshmen, including students who had taken Advanced Placement courses.

• The Admissions Director of Harvard states:GPA is not nearly as important a factor in university admission as the IB Diploma. If a student has to choose, choose the Diploma over protecting the GPA.

http://internationalcounselor.org/College%20program/ib_and_college_admissions.htm#views

The Full IB Diploma The IB Diploma is a comprehensive, two-

year liberal-arts program of study aimed at developing global citizens and lifelong learners.

IB Diploma graduates earn a nationally and internationally recognized diploma as they simultaneously earn an advanced studies diploma.

SIX IB courses*, ONE from each subject group:

Group 1, English Group 2, World Language Group 3, Individuals and

Societies Group 4, Experimental Sciences Group 5, Mathematics Group 6, Arts

PLUS Completion of the IB DP Core:

Theory of Knowledge course Extended Essay 150 Creativity, Action, and

Service hoursPLUS – at least two regular BP

electives

A Typical IB Diploma

*MOST IB courses span TWO YEARS (11th and 12th grade).

BP IB Diploma Courses

Group 1, Language A1 – English Group 2, World Language – French, German,

Latin, Spanish Group 3, Individuals – History, Anthropology,

and Societies Psychology Group 4, Experimental Biology, Chemistry

(Environmental Sciences – Systems and Societies*, Physics*)

Group 5, Mathematics – Math Studies, Mathematics (Computer Science* )

Group 6, The Arts – Visual Art, Theatre, Music

*courses we hope to add in the next two

years

IB Diploma Core

Theory of Knowledge

Extended Essay

Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS)

ToK -Theory of Knowledge

Inquiry into the “ways of knowing” What does it mean to know something? Does the perception of what is TRUE

change with different cultures? Do people with different cultural or

linguistic backgrounds live, in some sense, in different worlds?

Interdisciplinary – stimulates critical reflection on connections between concepts across all subjects

The IB Diploma Core Elements:

EE – Extended Essay Independent research essay

Student works with a supervisor but guidance is limited

Approximately 4,000 words (~16 pages typed, double-spaced)

Topic chosen by student in one of more than 20 prescribed subjects For example: politics, design technology, history, painting or

sculpture, physics, biochemistry, mathematics, psychology, world religions, world cultures, etc.

Sample topics from actual student essays: “Gait compensations in students with pronounced leg-length

discrepancy” (Biology) “Hip-Hop Culture: The Modern Form of Slavery” (Politics) “Exposing Vermeer: His Use of the Camera Obscura to

Perfect His Paintings” (Visual Art)

The IB Diploma Core Elements:

CAS – Creativity, Action, Service“...if you believe in something, you must not just think or talk or write, but must act.”

- Peterson (2003) CAS is designed to “challenge and extend the individual

student to develop a spirit of discovery and self-reliance… to inspire an awareness, concern and responsibility to serve the community…”

Diploma students must complete and document at least 150 hours.

Creativity – arts, designing and implementing projects “beyond school walls”

Action – designing sport and fitness activities, expeditions, local and international projects

Service – community and global social service activities

The IB Diploma Core Elements:

A Full IB Diploma Student’s 4-Year Plan

9th & 10th grade ‘pre-IB’ honors English 9 & 10 world language II & III honors biology &

chemistry honors/AP World History government /AP Gov. PE/Health 9 & 10 advanced algebra or

geometry, math analysis fine art 1 & 2 electives

11th & 12th grade IB IB English IB world language IB experimental science IB history IB math IB fine art or IB elective other electives ToK (over 2 years) EE (over 2 years) CAS (over 2 years)

Combined “IB Block”

IB Assessment

Students complete internal assessment tasks, which are internally marked by their IB teachers and then are sent off to be moderated by external IB examiners.

Students take written examinations (external assessments) at the end of each course, marked by external IB examiners.

Marks range from 1-7. A 4 is usually considered “passing.”

Assessment is criterion-based rather than performance-based. The range of scores has remained consistent over time.

Universities value the rigor and consistency of the Diploma Programme assessment practice.

IB Certificate Option for Students

Students may take individual IB courses to challenge themselves in areas of strength or interest if they do not choose to pursue the full diploma.

These students participate in all assessments for the course – internal and external. If they receive at least a 4 on the 7-point scale on the final external assessment examination, they may receive an IB certificate for that course. This may earn them college credit at most colleges and universities, similar to a 3 on an AP test.

Cost of IB Exams

IB charges each student a fee (for final IB course exam only) – this year’s fee: $96 per exam.

Fee is due in October of the year the exam will be taken.

Students who qualify for the free or reduced lunch program may receive reduced or waived IB exam fees.

Any student may request an installment payment plan for IB exam fees.

What do I do now?

In 8th grade: Take advanced math and a world language. Find out about IB courses and full diploma

requirements. IB Info Night IB page on BP’s website Talk to Ms. Stemple (email or phone) and counselor www.ibo.org

Register for appropriate advanced and honors courses for 9th grade.

Fill out IB application (available online) and turn it in to Ms. Stemple at BP by April 1 to ensure proper sequence of courses.

Preparing for IB Courses

In 9th and 10th grades: “IB-Prep Years”: Continue to take advanced

and honors courses to prepare for the content and challenge of IB.

Monitor progress; modify IB goals as needed. Students fill out an IB intent / scheduling form

when they register for 11th-grade classes.

*IB courses are taken in 11th and 12th grades.*

How does IB compare with AP?

IB

Recognized internationally for rigor

Individual courses or full comprehensive program

IB score based on multiple assessments over time

Both internal and external assessments

Process-driven

AP Recognized nationally

for rigor

Individual courses only

AP score based on one exam at end of course

External assessment only

Content-driven

How does IB compare with CGS?

IB

Recognized internationally for rigor

Individual courses or full comprehensive program

IB score based on multiple assessments over time

Both internal and external assessments; process-driven

Integrated into BP student body

CGS Recognized statewide

for rigor

Comprehensive but no partial participation

Students take AP exams

Specifically includes field experiences

Students travel to CFHS or NSHS; school-within-a-school

Do IB courses earn college credit?

Awarded credit is determined by individual colleges and universities. Go to www.ibo.org – click on “The IB in…” and

click on the country and university IB credit policy you’re interested in (also in brochure).

Senate Bill 209 (2010) requires Virginia’s colleges and universities to have comparable college-credit policies for both standard and higher-level IB courses and AP courses.

“Once I began International Baccalaureate classes I was

… encouraged to ask more questions and think for

myself…One day it struck me that I can actually have

an opinion different from the standard as long as I can

back it up with evidence and a good argument…[T]he

most valuable thing I learned in IB…[was] how to

learn.”~Kristi Huckabone, IB Diploma graduate MVHS, 2008

Why IB?

Students don’t have to be brilliant to succeed in IB, but they must be willing to work hard, to open their minds, to take risks, to think, and to act on their thinking.

The IB curriculum is designed to stimulate curiosity and inquiry in order to cultivate students’ spirit of discovery in learning – it focuses on educating the whole person.

IB’s challenge is worth the risk: Research has shown that the intensity and quality of coursework in high school is the single greatest indicator in students’ completion of a bachelor’s degree in college, far outweighing the GPA.

Why IB?

Is there life outside IB?

IB courses require a true commitment to learning and to taking on challenging work; however… Other kids will be taking these courses with

you; support each other! Teachers will also work together to help you. Good time management is essential – and

makes a life outside of schoolwork definitely possible.

Sources

Evans, Rosemary. International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at Branksome Hall. August 2008.

Watts, Sue. IB at Mountain View. February 2008.

www.ibo.org Google images

Revised 11.1.10

Contact Emails

Julie Stemple, IB Coordinator [email protected]

Wendy Payne, Principal [email protected]