Transcript The International Baccalaureate Program

The International
Baccalaureate [IB]Program
- South Hills High School
“We are now at a point where we must educate our children in what no one knew yesterday,
and prepare our schools for what no one knows yet.”
– Margaret Mead
“We cannot wait passively upon the statistical play of events to decide for us which road the
world is to take tomorrow. We must positively and ardently take a hand in the game ourselves.”
– Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
What is IB?
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4136 schools around the
world
 Over 2300 Diploma
Programme schools
 The US is growing faster
than anywhere in the world.
 Recognized around the
world.
 2+ year certification
process
 Is it for South Hills?
 Check out
http://www.ibo.org/diploma/
Page 3
Introduction
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Goal: to provide
information
regarding the
implementation of
an International
Baccalaureate
Program at South
Hills High School.
IB Learners strive to be…
Inquirers - They develop their natural curiosity.
Knowledgeable - They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance.
Thinkers - They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively.
Communicators - They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively.
Principled - They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for
the dignity of the individual, groups and communities.
Open-minded - They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are
open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities.
Caring - They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others.
Risk-takers - They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and
have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies.
Balanced - They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve
personal well-being for themselves and others.
Reflective - They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience.
IB Mission Statement…
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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 programs of international education and
rigorous assessment.
These programs encourage students across the world to
become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who
understand that other people, with their differences, can
also be right.
Program Description
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IB was generated on principles in response to the needs and growth in
the world after WWII. It was founded in 1968 in Geneva, Switzerland to
provide rigorous academic standards while promoting international
understanding and perspective.
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Students involved in it gain valuable experience and knowledge that
increases opportunities for success in college. Also, students gain an
international perspective that helps them compete in an ever-expanding
and complex global economy. The IB Diploma is recognized worldwide
as an elite accomplishment and the curriculum is considered the gold
standard for high school curriculum.
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While our current Advanced Placement program provides rigor, the IB
program focuses on the whole student in all major academic subjects
and on extra-curricular interests and assessments are both internal
[done here on campus and graded here according to pre-set standards]
and external [sent to Cardiff, Wales, UK and beyond].
Program cont’d…
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The IB Diploma Programme is a
two-year program, which provides
11th and 12th grade students with
advanced courses in six academic
areas. It is awarded to students who
pass internal and external
examinations in these six areas,
complete a course of study in the
Theory of Knowledge, create an
Extended Essay reflecting
independent research/analysis, and
who create and participate in 150
hours of Creative, Action, and
Service (CAS).
 To obtain an IB diploma [in addition
to the HS diploma] students must
complete one IB class in each of the
six groups represented by the
hexagon groups and the three core
requirements.
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For in-depth understanding in select
groups, students must choose
three, but no more than four to
study at a higher level (HL). These
higher-level courses will meet for
TWO years.
Students will fulfill the six-course
requirement with standard level
courses (SL) varying from one to
two years in length. Students will
also complete the core components
of the hexagon: TOK, EE, & CAS.
Fees: Per Candidate Registration $145 [on-time initial fee]
Per Subject Fee [including TOK] for
assessments, internal and external $100
Total for one in each group + TOK is
$845 [over two years]
Fees change with annual notice and
we will keep you up to date
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) This course will meet for
approximately 130 hours over the course of the two-year IB
program. The TOK encourages students to think critically
about knowledge itself, and to develop the capacity to
respond to questions such as how do I know what I know?
The focus of the course is the student as knower.
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Extended Essay (EE) The extended essay is an
independent, self-directed piece of research, culminating in
a 4,000 word paper. It provides practical preparation for the
kinds of undergraduate research required at the college
level and an opportunity for students to engage in an indepth study of a topic of interest within a chosen subject.
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Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) takes seriously the
importance of life outside the world of scholarship,
providing a refreshing counterbalance to academic studies.
Creativity includes a wide range of arts activities, as well
as the creativity students demonstrate in designing and
implementing service projects. Action includes not only
participation in individual and team sports but also taking
part in expeditions and in local or international projects.
Service encompasses a host of community and social
service activities.
Curriculum, Core Components
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What are we looking at?
Course / Level / Group
o
o
o
o
o
English A Literature HL [1] o Chemistry HL [4]
maybe SL?
o Biology SL [4]
French B HL/SL [2]
o Math SL [5]
Spanish B HL/SL [2]
o Math HL [5]
Business & Management o Theatre SL [6]
SL [3]
o Visual Arts HL/SL [6]
History - Americas HL [3]
Where do our students fit?
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Inclusive system, but rigorous!
Energized & Enthusiastic!
Motivated! Committed!
Personal and Academic development at a
whole new level!
Worldwide perspectives and learning
communities [peers from everywhere]!
Experience college-level classes in a positive
nurturing environment over a two-year span!
Sample Schedules
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There are many paths that students may take to complete the requirements of
the IB Diploma. Individual interests and math and foreign language level should
guide individual choices. Due to the current offerings, students must follow these
guidelines when developing their two-year plan.
– IB English HL and IB History of the Americas HL both years
– One class from each of the other 4 groups:
• foreign language
• science
• mathematics
• arts and electives [with some options to go elsewhere in the hexagon]
– 2-3 SL classes
– 1-2 additional HL classes
– Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
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More close counseling and watchful eyes through Coordinator.
Differences
AP to IB…
 Internal assessment as
well as external
Similarities
assessment that cross
 Rigorous
various spectra
 College credit
 External assessments
awarded based on
contain little if any
performance
multiple choice
questions
 External
assessments that  CAS, TOK and EE
include writing and  Projects and lessons
test scores
 Policies [Honesty,
Language…]
Frequently Asked Questions
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What about colleges?
They are eager to
attract IB students
… developed
independent research
and study
Global thinkers…
Social cooperation to
complete tasks
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College Credit?
Yes! Depending upon
the college/university
[similar to AP but tends
to get more]
Will students have a
life?
YES!!! Rigorous though
it is, it is also enlivening
and nurturing.
Your questions???