IB Diploma Program information evening – 8 th September 2013

1. IB Diploma Program information evening – 8th September 2013 Thank you for attending, we extend you a warm welcome

2. Let’s start with a quick reminder about the IB …… • The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a nonprofit educational foundation established in 1968 • The IB currently works with 3,556 schools in 146 countries to deliver programs to over 1,132,000 students • The IB Diploma Program itself works with 2,454 schools (46.42% growth sin September 2008) • Jeff Beard, the IB Director General believes that by 2020 there will be close to 10,000 IB world schools and 2.5 million students • The IB helps develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world

3. So why the IB Diploma Programme? • It is widely regarded as the most challenging pre-university programme for students aged between 16 and 19 • It is well recognised by over 2,000 of the world’s leading universities in over 100 countries. This includes the ‘Ivy League’ and ‘Russell Group’ universities • Assessment is rigorous but with a clear purpose • It provides a holistic education • It promotes internationalism and give students a global vision

4. So why the IB Diploma Programme? • Students develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture • It encourages critical thinking and encourages students to ask challenging questions • It allows students to ‘learn how to learn’ • It encourages students to become independent, self-motivated learners • Perhaps most importantly, students become lifelong learners

5. And if we are still not sure…..

6. Role of the IB Diploma Program Coordinator • Implement the policies, principles and regulations of the IB Diploma Program • Monitor students academic progress • Monitor student subject choices • Promote academic honesty • Student entries for examinations • Ensure IB diploma regulations are in place regarding conduct in examinations • Oversee the completion of the Extended Essay

7. Where to get key information/who to contact • IB Coordinator – Will Hurtado whurtado@aisj-jhb.com or ibdpcoordinator@aisj-jhb.com • CAS Coordinators – Brenda Goldberg bgoldberg@aisj-jhb.com or Dee Slattery dslattery@aisj-jhb.com

8. ‘Unpacking the IB Diploma Program’ Students study concurrently: • Full DP: • 3 subjects at higher level (240 hours each) • 3 subjects at standard level (150 hours each) • All three parts of the core • Diploma courses: • Up to 6 IB subjects at either HL or SL • Do not have to take the core The IB Learner Profile, ATL and the core are central to the philosophy of the Diploma Program.

9. What is the Learner Profile? IB learners strive to be: Inquirers Knowledgeable Thinkers Communicators Principled Open-minded Caring Risk-takers (Courageous) Balanced Reflective IB programmes promote the education of the whole person, emphasizing intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth through all domains of knowledge.

10. What is ATL? Critical and creative thinking, inquiry and managing information, understanding and applying key concepts, the development of inter- and intra-personal skills. Its aims: • to allow students to have increased confidence in approaching rigorous assessment tasks through demonstrating independent learning skills • to promote both the aims of individual subjects (making them more than course aspirations) and linking previously isolated knowledge (concurrency of learning) • to encourage students to develop an explicit variety of skills that will equip them to continue to be actively engaged in learning after they leave school, and to help them not only obtain university admission through better grades but also prepare for success during tertiary education and beyond This aligns closely with AISJ’s own integration of ATL

11. What makes up the ‘core’? The extended essay: • 4,000 words • Offers the opportunity to investigate a research question of individual interest • Familiarises students with the independent research and writing skills expected at university EE

12. What makes up the ‘core’? Theory of knowledge: • Interdisciplinary • Explores the nature of knowledge across disciplines • Encouraging an appreciation of other cultural perspectives ToK

13. What makes up the ‘core’? Creativity, action and service (CAS): • Encourages students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports and community service • Education outside the classroom • Development of the learner profile CAS

14. Together they formulate the ’core’

15. How Are The Students Assessed? • External examinations at the end of two years • Assessed by an international board of examiners • Continuous internal assessment component • Subjects scored on a 1 - 7 scale • Further 3 points for TOK and EE • Thus giving a maximum score of 45

16. The ToK/EE matrix

17. The May 2013 IB results • The mean point score (MPS) achieved by candidates who passed the full diploma was 32 points. The average diploma score worldwide is 29.77 (based on May 2012 statistical bulletin) • Our mean point sore (MPS) has increased from 30 to 32 points since May 2011 • We achieved no 40 point plus diplomas but one student narrowly missed out, scoring 39 points and two scoring 38 points • In May 2012 44% of diploma students gained 30 points or more, for May 2013 it is 61%

18. IB growth and performance

22. But isn’t this the same everywhere?

23. Theory of Knowledge (TOK)/Extended Essay (EE) bonus points

24. What next? The progress being made in the IB is very good but with this brings higher expectations. We seek to: • Continue the results improvement in successive years towards (and hopefully) beyond a 34 mean point score • Continue the improvement in ToK/EE bonus points score towards 1.5 out of 3

26. Any questions?