Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

The IBO’s goal: to provide students with the values and opportunities that will enable them to develop sound judgment, make wise choices, respect others in the global community © IBO 2004

The Diploma Programme equips students with the skills and attitudes necessary for success in higher education and employment Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

u demanding two-year pre-university course leading to examinations u for highly motivated students u for ages 16 to 19 The Diploma Programme Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

What makes the Diploma Programme different? u comprehensive two-year international curriculum u international standards, applied equally to all schools u rigorous assessment Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

What makes the Diploma Programme different? u combines breadth with depth u emphasizes critical, compassionate thinking u promotes global vision Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

International 1,180 Diploma Programme schools in 116 countries (June 2004) 58,039 diploma candidates examined in 2003 Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

Universities IB diploma holders have access to the world’s leading universities are well prepared for university work Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

Schools offering the IB Diploma Programme Nearly evenly divided: state, national system schools private schools Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

Diploma Programme the curriculum Theory of Knowledge the arts group 4 group 1 language A1 extended essay experimental sciences group 6 group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics © IBO 2004

stimulates critical reflection on knowledge and experience students examine the grounds for moral, political and aesthetic judgments Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Diploma Programme Theory of Knowledge extended essay creativity, action, service © IBO 2004

... wise choices TOK challenges students u to question the bases of knowledge u to be aware of subjective and ideological biases u to develop the ability to analyse evidence Diploma Programme Theory of Knowledge extended essay creativity, action, service © IBO 2004

in encouraging students to appreciate other cultural perspectives TOK is a key element Diploma Programme Theory of Knowledge extended essay creativity, action, service © IBO 2004

TOK encourages students to reflect on questions such as these: Is the scientific method a product unique to Western culture, or is it universal? Do people with different cultural or linguistic backgrounds live, in some sense, in different worlds? © IBO 2004

TOK: interdisciplinary requirement The IBO recommends at least 100 hours of teaching time spanning the programme’s two years 100 hours Diploma Programme Theory of Knowledge extended essay creativity, action, service © IBO 2004

The whole person Creativity, action, service (CAS) helps students become responsible, compassionate citizens Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

Interpreted broadly: arts activities but also creativity shown in designing and implementing service projects Diploma Programme Creativity © IBO 2004

Participation in individual and team sports but also taking part in expeditions, local and international projects Action Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

Community and social service activities, for example: helping children with special needs visiting hospitals working with refugees or homeless people Diploma Programme Service © IBO 2004

Extended essay (4,000 words or less) Acquaints diploma candidates with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected by universities Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

What does the essay represent to a student? u the opportunity to investigate a topic of special interest u a way to add breadth u a way to deepen studies: selecting a topic in one of his or her courses Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

What is involved? u the essay may be written in one of 25 or more subjects, plus some 50 language/literature courses u recommended: 40 hours private study and writing time Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

Extended essay topics vary widely u The effects of acid rain on the environment, with a focus on plant life (biology) u The contribution of international organizations to the economic development of Geneva (economics) u The mathematics of nature: the relationship between fractals, chaos and iteration (mathematics) © IBO 2004

Diploma Programme Six subjects studied concurrently sciences and humanities one subject from each of the six groups at least three but not more than four taken at higher level (HL) others at standard level (SL) Requirements for the subjects group 6 experimental sciences The six academic subjects Theory of Knowledge the arts group 1 language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 © IBO 2004

HL courses: 240 teaching hours recommended SL courses: 150 hours recommended Diploma Programme Teaching time Arts and Electives Experimental sciences Mathematics Theory of Knowledge arts and electives experimental sciences creativity, action, service mathematics GROUP 5 GROUP 6 experimental sciences the arts language A1 second language individuals and societies group 6 experimental sciences The six academic subjects Theory of Knowledge the arts group 1 language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 © IBO 2004

The IBO encourages students to maintain strong ties to their own cultures u 45 languages for examination u encourages very good writing and oral skills and respect for the literary heritage of a first language u complemented by an international perspective through world literature Arts and Electives Diploma Programme group 1 language A1 arts and electives group 6 experimental sciences The six academic subjects Theory of Knowledge the arts group 1 language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 © IBO 2004

second language Diploma Programme group 2 u a requirement for all diploma candidates (or second A1 language) u aims to enable students to use the language in a range of contexts, for many purposes u focuses on written and spoken communication Arts and Electives Language A1 Experimental sciences Second Language Individuals and societies Mathematics arts and electives language A1 experimental sciences second language individuals and societies mathematics group 6 experimental sciences The six academic subjects Theory of Knowledge the arts group 1 language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 © IBO 2004

second language Several options accommodate: Diploma Programme group 2 u near bilingual students, high level of fluency u second language learners with previous experience u beginners u classical Greek and Latin Language A1 Experimental sciences Second Language Individuals and societies Mathematics group 6 experimental sciences The six academic subjects Theory of Knowledge the arts group 1 language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 © IBO 2004

Diploma Programme individuals and societies group 3 business and management economics geography history Islamic history information technology in a global society (standard level) philosophy psychology social and cultural anthropology Arts and Electives Language A1 Experimental sciences Second Language Individuals and societies Mathematics arts and electives language A1 experimental sciences second language individuals and societies mathematics group 6 experimental sciences The six academic subjects Theory of Knowledge the arts group 1 language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 © IBO 2004

Diploma Programme experimental sciences group 4 u practical laboratory skills u collaborative learning through an interdisciplinary project u awareness of moral and ethical issues u a sense of social responsibility, by examining local and global issues develop, encourage: Arts and Electives Language A1 Experimental sciences Individuals and societies arts and electives language A1 experimental sciences second language individuals and societies mathematics group 6 experimental sciences The six academic subjects Theory of Knowledge the arts group 1 language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 © IBO 2004

experimental sciences Diploma Programme group 4 u biology u chemistry u physics u environmental systems (standard level) u design technology arts and electives language A1 experimental sciences second language individuals and societies mathematics group 6 experimental sciences The six academic subjects Theory of Knowledge the arts group 1 language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 © IBO 2004

aims to deepen student’s understanding of this discipline and to promote confidence and facility in the use of mathematical language Diploma Programme mathematics group 5 arts and electives language A1 experimental sciences second language individuals and societies mathematics group 6 experimental sciences The six academic subjects Theory of Knowledge the arts group 1 language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 © IBO 2004

u requirement for all diploma candidates u four options for different abilities and levels u includes computer science Diploma Programme mathematics group 5 Arts and Electives Language A1 Experimental sciences Second Language Individuals and societies Mathematics arts and electives language A1 experimental sciences second language individuals and societies mathematics group 6 experimental sciences The six academic subjects Theory of Knowledge the arts group 1 language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 © IBO 2004

u visual arts, music and theatre arts: emphasis on practical production by students and exploring creative work in a global context u will include dance and film as pilot courses Diploma Programme Language A1 the arts group 6 arts and electives language A1 experimental sciences second language mathematics group 6 experimental sciences The six academic subjects Theory of Knowledge the arts group 1 language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 © IBO 2004

 uspecially- approved course (school- based syllabus) u electives: certain subjects from other groups Diploma Programme Language A1 the arts group 6 arts and electives language A1 experimental sciences second language mathematics group 6 experimental sciences The six academic subjects Theory of Knowledge the arts group 1 language A1 extended essay group 3 group 5 group 2 second language creativity, action, service individuals and societies mathematics group 4 © IBO 2004

Diploma Programme Assessing student work Classroom teachers and IB examiners work in partnership to ensure that students have ample opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned © IBO 2004

Academic judgments about quality of student work rest with over 5,400 IB examiners worldwide Chief examiners for each subject have international authority in their fields Diploma Programme Examiners © IBO 2004

Diploma Programme Examinations, assessment examinations offered in May for northern hemisphere schools, in November for the southern hemisphere more than 58,000 students assessed and examined in 2003 © IBO 2004

The programme is very demanding and not everyone who tries receives a diploma © IBO 2004

A letter from one student, who did not receive a diploma, to another: “The tangible reward of getting the IB diploma was something to strive for but...The IB programme did us all good through less tangible, more abstract ways... It wasn't just an education of the mind, but also an education and deepening of the soul.” © IBO 2004

Some 80% of candidates who attempt the diploma succeed in earning it © IBO 2004

Diploma Programme © IBO 2004

© IBO June 2004 Thank you to the following schools for supplying photos: Frankfurt International School, Germany International School of Tanganyika, Tanzania St Clare’s College, Oxford, UK International School Bangkok, Thailand Designer: Mary Tiegreen Produced by The International Baccalaureate Organization, Geneva, Switzerland © IBO 2004