The International Baccalaureate

1. The International Baccalaureate The IB Diploma Program

2. Introduction toThe International Baccalaureate • The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) is a nonprofit, mission-driven, educational foundation established in 1968. • IB currently works with 2,650 schools (56% public) in 136 countries to develop and offer three challenging programs to over 560,000 students aged 3 to 19 years.

3. Introduction to The International Baccalaureate Offers three challenging programmes for pupils aged 3 to 19. • Primary Years Programme: ages 3-12 • Middle Years Programme: ages 11-16 • Diploma Programme: Ages 16-19

4. Mission The International Baccalaureate 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 organization 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.

5. IB Philosophy “Through high quality education we create a better world.” • Quality program, high-level standards • Culturally-aware graduates • Idealistic, peace-promoting mission

6. The IBO’s goal: To provide students with the values and opportunities that will enable them to develop sound judgment, make wise choices, and respect others in the global community.

7. The Diploma Programme prepares students for university and encourages them to • learn how to learn • ask challenging questions • 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.

8. The IB Learner Profile The Learner Profile promotes 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

9. Over the course of the two-year program, students: • Study six subjects chosen from the six subject groups • Complete an extended essay • Complete a theory of knowledge course • Participate in creativity, action, service

10. IB Hexagon The IB Hexagon Group 1: Language A: World Literatures Group 3: Individuals and Society History of the Americas HL Group 2: Language B Spanish SL/HL Extended Essay (EE) Theory of Knowledge (ToK) Creativity, Action & Service (CAS) Group 4: Experimental Science Biology SL/HL Group 5: Mathematics & Computer Science Math SL Group 6: The Arts Visual Arts SL OR other IB elective Sociology & Anthropology SL

11. THE IB CORE The extended essay: • 4,000 words • Offers the opportunity to investigate a research question of individual interest with a teacher in that discipline • Further familiarizes students with the independent research and writing skills expected at university

12. THE IB CORE Theory of knowledge: • “Trans”disciplinary • Explores the nature of knowledge across disciplines • Encourages an appreciation of other cultural perspective Part I – focus on humans as knowers – perceptions, emotions, languages, reason Part II – development of skills to evaluate knowledge claims in the various disciplines.

13. THE IB CORE Creativity, Action and Service (CAS): • Encourages students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports, and community service • Continues education outside the classroom • Develops the learner profile

14. ASSESSMENTS • Students have both external and internal assessments. • External Assessments (EA) are given to students on campus in May/November and are graded solely by IB officials. • Internal Assessments (IA) are given to students by the instructor throughout the courses and are graded by the instructor and moderated by IB through random samples sent to IB officials.

15. International Mindedness (means) • Students are educated in a way that helps them be understand themselves, their community, the country they live in, and the world in general. • Students have a deeper sense and awareness of other peoples, cultures, countries, and customs.

16. Program Levels: • Three of the six subjects are studied at higher level (courses representing 240 teaching hours) • The remaining three subjects are studied at standard level (courses representing 150 teaching hours) • Internal and External Assessments.

17. International mindedness. . . • Stimulates curiosity about the world • Provides opportunities for developing cultural self-confidence • Builds awareness and respect for human dignity and diversity.

18. (The 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet) In today’s highly interdependent world, individuals and nations can no longer resolve many of their problems by themselves. We need one another. We must therefore develop a sense of universal responsibility… It is our collective and individual responsibility to protect and nurture the global family, to support its weaker members, and to tend to the environment in which we all live.

19. IB Diploma Program Candidate • Takes a course from each of 6 curricular groups • Works in core elements: Theory of Knowledge (ToK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) • Must take exams in at least 3 higher level (HL) courses while other courses are at standard level (SL) • Completes all internal assessments given by the IB teacher and external May exams administered by IBO. • Can receive up to 7 points per exam. Students can earn up to three bonus points for ToK and EE. • Must earn minimum total of 24 points.

20. Diploma Requirements IB Diploma Course Student • Students choose to study one or more subject areas. They take the course and participate in all IB assessments. • Certificate students may enroll in any number of IB courses and earn an IB certificate for each course successfully completed. • Students may sign up for ToK as a Diploma Course student.

21. Who is an IB candidate? IB is suited to the motivated learner, the curious mind. It is not just for the academically elite! An IB student • Manages time well • Balances his or her school life with other activities • Is not afraid to take risks • Is academically honest • Has good math skills • Has very good writing skills • Wants to emulate the Learner Profile

22. IB & University Recognition Admissions assumptions: What do universities assume about the IB graduate? • Accepts challenges • Strong academic foundation • Consistency • Excellent research & writing skills • Excellent critical thinking skills • Strong oral presentation skills • Community engagement • Mature & responsible

23. IB & University Recognition “IB is well known to us as excellent preparation. 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 McGraff Lewis, Assistant Dean of Admissions Harvard University

24. The Benefits of IB • Excellent university preparation • IB graduates develop skills that help them to find success in even the most challenging undergraduate programs • The development of strong time management, writing and study skills • Graduates tend to be high achievers academically and professionally • The development of advanced sills in oral and written expression as well as research and analytical skills

25. The Benefits of IB • Being part of a cohort of students at CHS who have a STRONG desire to learn • Learning to ask challenging questions and developing a strong sense of self • Developing strong communication skills, including the study of a foreign language • Participating in the ultimate global program ––joining 701,000 IB students at 2,585 schools in 134 countries who share the same educational experience.

26. IB helps develop the intellectual, personal, emotional, and social skills to live, learn, and work in a rapidly globalizing world. Comments or Questions?