The Diploma Programme

At a Glance

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2006

Organization:

What is the IBO mission?

We are motivated by a mission to create a better world through education.

Mission The International Baccalaureate Organization 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 IBO works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2006

Organization: What is the learner profile?

It’s the IBO mission statement translated into a set of learning outcomes for the 21st century.

The attributes of the learner profile express the values inherent to the IB continuum of international education. IB programmes promote the education of the whole person, emphasizing intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth through all domains of knowledge.

IB learners strive to be:

Inquirers Knowledgeable Thinkers Communicators Principled Open-minded Caring Risk-takers Balanced Reflective © International Baccalaureate Organization 2006

Programmes: What makes the Diploma Programme special?

A rigorous two year pre-university course that leads to examinations.

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Designed for students aged 16 to 19

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Diploma students take six subjects plus they write a 4,000 word extended essay, complete a course in theory of knowledge, and complete a number of creativity, action and service (CAS) projects.

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The diploma is well recognized by the world’s leading universities.

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Many IB schools teach the diploma programme along side the national curriculum.

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Supported in English, French and Spanish.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2006

Programmes: What makes the Diploma Programme special?

More than a collection of facts.

Students are encouraged to:      ask challenging questions 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.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2006

What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain?

The curriculum contains six subject groups together with a core made up of three separate parts.

 Three subjects are studied at higher level.  Three subjects are studied at standard level.  All three parts of the core —

extended essay

,

theory of knowledge

and

creativity, action, service

—are compulsory and are central to the philosophy of the Diploma Programme.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2006

What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain? The core requirements —

Extended essay

The extended essay:  has a prescribed limit of 4,000 words  offers the opportunity to investigate a topic of individual interest  familiarises students with the independent research and writing skills expected at university.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2006

What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain? The core requirements —

Theory of knowledge (TOK)

The interdisciplinary TOK course is designed to provide coherence by:  exploring the nature of knowledge across disciplines  encouraging an appreciation of other cultural perspectives.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2006

What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain? The core requirements —

Creativity, action, service (CAS)

Participation in the school’s CAS programme:  encourages students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports and community service work  fosters students’ awareness and appreciation of life outside the academic arena.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2006

Assessment in the Diploma Programme —

students are assessed both internally and externally in ways that measure individual performance against stated objectives for each subject.

In most subjects at least some of the assessment is carried out internally by teachers, who mark individual pieces of work produced as part of a course of study. Examples include:    oral exercises in language subjects  projects  student portfolios class presentations practical laboratory work  mathematical investigations  artistic performances.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2006

Assessment in the Diploma Programme —

External assessment

Some assessment tasks are conducted and overseen by teachers without the restrictions of examination conditions, but are then marked externally by examiners. Examples include:  world literature assignments for language A1  written assignments for language A2  essays for theory of knowledge and extended essays.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2006

Assessment in the Diploma Programme —

External assessment

 Because of the greater degree of objectivity and reliability provided by the standard examination environment, externally marked examinations form the greatest share of the assessment for most subjects.

 The grading system is criterion-based (results are determined by performance against set standards, not by each student’s position in the overall rank order).

 Validity, reliability and fairness are the watchwords of the Diploma Programme’s assessment strategy.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2006

University recognition of the IB Diploma —

The IB diploma is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities.

The IBO works closely with universities in all regions of the world to gain recognition for the IB diploma. To aid the process the IB provides:

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direct, online access for university admissions officers and government officials to syllabuses and recent examination papers

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a database containing contact details of universities around the world together with up to-date information about their requirements for admission to assist IB diploma students in making appropriate choices Students applying to a particular university can access their grades directly from the IBO’s secure web site.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2006

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Services: How is a school authorized?

Any school wishing to offer the Diploma programme must be authorized by the IBO.

Schools must go through an intensive authorization process that lasts

at least

two years covering two key stages  First key stage includes:  feasibility study and identification of resources     obtaining appropriate publications examining the programme’s philosophy and curriculum conduct a feasibility study on possible outcomes arrange for staff to undertake IBO-approved training.

 Second key stage is a visit from an IBO team to:  consult those involved in implementation   evaluate the school’s readiness to implement the programme complete a report on the school’s commitment and ability to deliver the programme.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2006

For further information read:

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The Schools’ Guide to the Diploma Programme A Basis for Practice: the Diploma Programme A continuum of International Education

All available online at http://www.ibo.org/dp/slideg.cfm.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2006