Signal Mountain Middle/High School
International Baccalaureate (IB) Program
What is the International Baccalaureate Program? – The IB program includes 3 educational
programs designed by the International Baccalaureate Organization, or IBO.
These programs are the Diploma Program for 11th and 12th graders, the Middle
Years Program for 6th to 10th graders, and the Primary Years Program for 1st to
5th graders. Only the Diploma Program and Middle Years Program are under
consideration for the new Signal Mountain School. Where did IB come from? The IB program was designed in Switzerland
in the 1960’s and ‘70’s to create an international standard of education for
students, such as the children of diplomats and business executives, who moved
often from one place to another. This was important because the educational
systems often differed widely from country to country.
What is the IB Diploma Program, or DP? The
DP is a program for 11th and 12th graders. Each of the six courses in the
program includes an internationally administered test. Both the tests and the
classes focus on critical reasoning and analysis. Reading
materials and textbooks for the classes are selected by local teachers from an
extensive IB list, so while all DP courses worldwide meet certain
standards, classes differ in focus from school to school. Students are
encouraged to fully participate in the program which includes: the six courses
of study, the creativity, action, and service (CAS) requirements, an extended
essay, and a course called the Theory of Knowledge. Completion of the program
entitles the student to an IB diploma.
What’s the difference between IB and AP? AP classes are designed to be taken individually
and to enable students to skip entry-level college courses. IB classes, while
they can be taken individually, are related to each other to give students a
more integrated view of all areas of study. AP tests generally include multiple choice sections, while IB assesses students using
several methods including written responses. AP has been in the U.S. longer
than IB and so is better known. Though most colleges and universities recognize
AP and IB, a few recognize only AP. However, more and more U.S. colleges are
offering IB Diploma graduates scholarships. Are IB and AP mutually exclusive? No. Most schools that offer IB
also offer AP.
Do students have to
be exceptionally smart to participate in the DP? No, but they do have to be
exceptionally dedicated. One DP student who was asked this question replied
that only two in his graduating class were “geniuses” but everyone worked hard.
In addition, most schools offer DP classes to anyone who wants to sign up for them, not just those with certain GPA’s.
Do all 11th and 12th graders in a school
participate in the DP? Usually, no. In most IB schools,
some students take the full DP, some take only 1 or 2 DP classes, and some take
no DP classes at all.
What
is the Middle Years Program, or MYP? Unlike the DP, the MYP does not
include a set curriculum except for requiring that all students study a second
language. Instead, schools offer the same classes that state standards require,
like World Geography to 7th graders and Geometry to 9th graders. The MYP
changes the way those classes are offered by training teachers to integrate
five “Areas of Interaction” through each subject area. They are “Approaches to
Learning” (learning skills), “Community and Service,” “Human Ingenuity” (how
culture and technology have shaped our history), “Health and Social Education”
(how students can live healthy lives and be active members of a functional
society) and “Environments.” Teachers in the MYP are also required to
collaborate extensively with teachers from other subjects.
Do students have to be exceptionally smart
to participate in the MYP? No. The MYP enhances the curriculum a school
already uses, hopefully in ways that make all students more excited about
learning. MYP is currently being implemented successfully in schools with lower
achievement levels than Signal Mountain Middle School currently enjoys.
What is IB’s philosophy on political, social, and religious
issues? The IB aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring
young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through
intercultural understanding and respect. IB programs do not advocate a
single religion, or a political or economic system.
(Sources: Dr.
Sharon Chaney of MNPS, IB teachers and students, and the IBO website)
http://www.mountaineducationfoundation.com/schoolib.html