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

IB Learner Profile Inquirers Knowledgeable Thinkers Communicators IB learners strive to be: 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. www.ibo.org

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.

A Typical IB 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 hours PLUS – at least two regular BP electives *MOST IB courses span TWO YEARS (11th and 12th grade).

*courses we hope to add in the next two years 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 The IB Diploma Core Elements: 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

EE – Extended Essay Independent research essay The IB Diploma Core Elements: 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)

CAS – Creativity, Action, Service The IB Diploma Core Elements: “...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

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? 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 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? 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 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.

Why IB? ~Kristi Huckabone, IB Diploma graduate MVHS, 2008 “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.

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

Contact Emails Julie Stemple, IB Coordinator stempleje@staffordschools.net Wendy Payne, Principal wpayne@staffordschools.net Revised 11.1.10