The International Baccalaureate An Introduction for Grade 9 & 10 Parents Guide at ISM

The IB Coordinator Mike Relf Contact: relfm@ismanila.org Tel: +632 840 8673 Office: 1066 (guidance) About me: Teacher 18 years Geography & ToK UK, Jordan, Venezuela Examiner ToK / Geography 2nd Year at ISM 3 children… not troubled by IB yet!

Goal… A Presentation in 4 Parts Part 1: About the IB Diploma… a beginners guide Part 2: What options do I have and how do I choose? Part 3: Advantages & Disadvantages of the IB Diploma? Part 4: Some University Perspectives Q & A

Part1: What is the IB Diploma?… Challenging Two year Pre- University High School program Create Well Rounded & Well Educated Individuals Balance of Breadth and depth What the IB Says… A Video Introduction from some Ib students: www.ibo.org/diploma At ISM… Open Door… Non-selective… but recommendations Diploma Vs Certificate Vs ISM Diploma

The IB Philosophy Life in the 21st century, in an interconnected, globalized world, requires critical-thinking skills and a sense of international-mindedness, something that International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Program students come to know and understand.

This philosophy is achieved through the IB Hexagon

Inquirers Knowledgeable Thinkers Communicators Principled Open-Minded Caring Risk-Takers Balanced Reflective

How is it Assessed? Each subject is scored on a scale 1-7 (7 is best!) Students study 6 subjects Max subject score = 6x7 = 42 ToK + EE = 0-3 points = 42+3 = 45! Perfect Score 2011 104,998 diploma global candidates – 96 scored 45 (0.001%) – 193 scored 44 (0.002%) Average 29.5 pts

IB Candidate Numbers at ISM

Some Figures from May 2011 170 candidates sitting IB exams 113 Diploma candidates 111 achieved diploma Average Total Points Score 34.4 Highest 44 (Smriti & Manny) (possible 45) 13 candidates scores over 40

ISM Results highlights 2011

Results trends

Compulsory Elements 1: Theory of Knowledge (ToK) Philosophical Investigation based around 2 key questions… What do I Know? How do I know it? Assessment 1 essay from a selection prescribed by IB 1 presentation – subject chosen by student

Compulsory Element 2: Extended Essay (EE) 4000 word investigation into a student chosen academic subject Must follow strict academic investigation in line with university expectations Guided by supervisor Externally assessed Chance to develop an interest / academic depth

Compulsory Element 3: Creativity Action Service (CAS) IB Diploma Requirement… you must complete the CAS requirements in order to obtain a diploma – 150 hours As the IB States… “the CAS program fosters student awareness and appreciation of life outside the academic arena” It encourages you to develop skills and experiences beyond your current context It enables you to develop skills beyond the academic It makes you a ‘better person’

Part 2: What Options do I Have & How do I Choose? 4 Year Plan Process… begins in Grade 9 and continues in Grade 10 – Guidance IB Diploma Vs Certificate Vs ISM Diploma? Graduation Requirements Guidance Counselor Role Homeroom 20th 24th February Grade 10 Registration Week

Course Choices by IB Group Course Options at ISM Group1 – 1st language English, Korean, Japanese Group 2 – Language Acquisition English, Mandarin, Japanese, , Spanish, French… or second First language inc. Filipino Group 3 – Social Studies Economics, Business & Management, Geography, History, Psychology, Environmental Systems & Societies* Group 4 – Sciences Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Systems & Societies*, Sports Exercise & Health Science Group 5 – Mathematics Math Studies, SL, HL, Computer Science Group 6 – The Arts & Electives Theatre, Film, Visual Arts, or another subject from any group!

Course Offerings… IB Blog

Part 3: Advantages & Disadvantages of the IB Diploma? Academic Rigor Become a ‘Better’ Person Opens more ‘doors’– university / subjects International Recognition Mobile Challenge Learner Profile! Ask around and check out the quotes…

Disadvantages of the IB Diploma Cost Time Organization Stress Academic pressure Not the easy option! Realistic Expectations Overload – caution Extra Curricular Management Organization Need?

Part 4: The Key Question… How will the IB help my child in the university entrance process? “Send us prepared students a la IB...It is the “best” high school prep curriculum an American school can offer.” —Marilee Jones, Former Director of Undergraduate Admission, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Click for IB Video “The IB is well known to us for excellent preparations. Success in an IB program correlates well with success at Harvard. We are always pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma Program on the transcript.”—Marilyn McGrath Lewis, Director of Undergraduate Admission Harvard University “One of the advantages of an IB curriculum is its structure and quality. It is a coordinated program, well established, well known and well respected. We know the quality of IB courses, and we think the IB curriculum is terrific.” — Christoph Guttentag, Director of Undergraduate Admission, Duke University

University Quotes… more of the same McGill has enthusiastically recruited IB students for over two decades. Even today, when reviewing an application from an IB Diploma candidate our admissions officers can be assured of the candidate’s strong and broad based academic preparation. We have seen that IB students embrace the rigorous academic challenges of university life and perform well in their McGill programmes. As a member of the College and University Recognition Taskforce, I can attest to the respected position of the IB diploma at prestigious universities throughout North America. - Kim Bartlett - Director of Admissions McGill University Recent studies on IB Diploma Program graduates in university confirm that they perform well and have significantly higher grade point averages and higher graduation rates than students who did not complete the IB Diploma Program. Scores on IB assessments are also a significant predictor of performance in university. - IBO Higher Education Research Group

Activity… Sticky notes… Questions / concerns… stick them up… Answer common ones then others address in Q & A session at the end

Video… Some ISM Advice from 2011 The student perspective..

Q&A