The Diploma Programme at AISB The unique benefits of the DP

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 PURPOSE of the Presentation  WHAT is the IB ?  HOW does it work at AISB ?  WHY should I do it ?  HOW challenging will it be ?  WHAT do I do next ? Page 2

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Page 3 Mission Statement of IBO Organization: What is the IB mission The IB is a not-for-profit foundation, motivated by its educational mission, focused on the student. 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. Further resources: Lots of accessible & relevant information available at Further resources: Lots of accessible & relevant information available at

International Coverage 2, 156 Diploma Programme schools in 138 countries 127,284 candidates examined in May 2013 IBAP (Asia) = 14% IBAEM (Europe) = 35% IBA (Americas) = 51% Diploma Programme © IBO 2011

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Page 5 Contents: What does the Diploma Programme curriculum contain? The curriculum contains six subject groups and a core of three parts.  three subjects at higher level (240 hours each).  three subjects at standard level (150 hours each).  all three parts of the core. The IB Learner Profile and the core are central to the philosophy of the Diploma Programme. Students study concurrently:

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Page 6 Subjects offered at AISB What are my choices within the six groups at AISB? Group 1 – English A Literature or Language & Literature at HL & SL AND / OR a Self Taught A Language Group 2 – English, German, French & Spanish B at HL & SL OR – German, French & Spanish Ab Initio at SL [Beginners level] Group 3 Economics, History, Psychology at HL & SL, Environmental systems & societies at SL. Group 4 - Biology, Chemistry and Physics at HL & SL, Environmental systems & societies at SL NB: ES&S is a TRANDISCIPLINARY subject and can be chosen as a Group 3 OR 4 SL subject Group 5 - Mathematical Studies SL, Mathematics SL, Mathematics at HL Group 6 - Music, Theatre, Visual Arts at HL & SL NB : Students can also choose a second subject from Groups 1 – 4 as an ‘ELECTIVE’ in Group 6

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Page 7 What are my choices within the six groups at AISB? SCIENCE / ENGINEERING / IT Group 1 English A Lang & Lit SL Group 2 Spanish B SL Group 3 Economics SL Group 4 Chemistry HL Group 5 Mathematics HL Group 6 – Physics HL

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Page 8 What are my choices within the six groups at AISB? LAW / INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Group 1 English A Lit HL Group 2 German B SL Group 3 History HL Group 4 Biology SL Group 5 Mathematics SL Group 6 – Economics HL

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Page 9 What are my choices within the six groups at AISB? BUSINESS / ADMIN Group 1 English Lang &Lit SL Group 2 Spanish B HL Group 3 Economics HL Group 4 Env S&S SL Group 5 Mathematics SL Group 6 – Theatre HL

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Page 10 What are my choices within the six groups at AISB? LIBERAL ARTS Group 1 English A Lit HL Group 2 French B HL Group 3 Psychology SL Group 4 Env S&S SL Group 5 Math Studies SL Group 6 – Visual Art HL

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 There are three core requirements 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 Page 11

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 There are three core requirements 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  Around 150 hours of meaningful ‘experiential’ activities Page 12

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 There are three core requirements Theory of Knowledge (ToK)  Interdisciplinary  Explores the nature of knowledge across disciplines  Encouraging an appreciation of other cultural perspectives  100 hours, covered Y1 Sem2 and Y2 Sem1 at AISB Page 13

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Services: What is special about IB assessment? IB assessment is rigorous, criterion related, consistent and differentiating of student ability.  Diploma Programme assessment includes both final examinations (May) and internal assessment undertaken by the teacher to IB criteria and then externally moderated by the IB.  All 4,000 examiners are ‘quality checked’ through a process of moderation & on- going training and include practicing IB teachers.  The IB undertakes random inspections of schools during exams to ensure standards of security are met.  Marks awarded for each course range from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest).  The diploma is graded over 45 points [(7 x 6) + 3 bonus] giving ample scope to differentiate student ability  Diploma is awarded to students who gain at least 24 points.  The overall diploma pass rate is broadly consistent year on year Page 14

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 IB DP assessment burden: How challenging is it for students? Mean number of hours of written exams = 22 Mean number of coursework pieces = 12.6 Mean word count expected from all coursework = 17,030 These averages have been calculated using figures solely for the top 5 diploma combinations in this project. They include the assessment of the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge core components. Page 15

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 IB Diploma Courses : How challenging are they for students? Philosophy At AISB we believe that any student able to maintain an 80% score (Grade B-) in a subject through grade 9 & 10 should be successful (i.e. able to attain at least a 4) in that subject at IB. It does NOT mean an 80% in G10 = IB 6/7 Characteristics Desire to work very hard Expectation of 3+ hours of homework per day (including weekends) ! Very strong organisational & Time Management skills Proactive, positive attitude to achieving success – an Independent Learner Willingness to become a well-rounded critical thinker Page 16

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 IB Diploma Courses : How challenging are they for students? Page 17 AISB STUDENTS & ACCESS TO THE IB

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Worldwide IB Performance Statistics - May 2013 WORLDWIDE 2013  Mean Points Score = 29.9  Mean Grade = 4.7  Pass rate = 79 % Page 18 AISB 2013 Mean Points Score = Mean Grade = 5.45 Pass rate = 84 %

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 IB Diploma Courses : How challenging are they for students? FULL DIPLOMA STUDENTS 3 HL SUBJECTS 3 SL SUBJECTS EXTENDED ESSAY ToK CAS WHAT IS ‘REALISTIC’ FOR ME TO ATTEMPT GIVEN MY ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE TO DATE ? INDIVIDUAL IB COURSES STUDENTS A SELECTION OF 1 TO 5 COURSES AT HL OR SL From 2012 it is possible to do ANY of the CORE elements [CAS,ToK, EE] individually WHAT IS MOST APPROPRIATE FOR MY COLLEGE / CAREER PLANS ? Page 19

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Page 20 University recognition: How well is the diploma recognized by universities? The IB diploma is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities. STATEMENT In most cases, Universities will want to see that applications show that the student has chosen as challenging a programme of study at their secondary school as possible, given the students particular circumstances

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Page 21 University recognition: How well is the diploma recognized by universities? The IB diploma is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities. For North American colleges a full Diploma may be an advantage but is not essential as offers are mainly based on HS transcript scores, GPA’s, SAT’s etc Of course, the more competitive the College / course, the more advantage there will be for a strong Diploma applicant Many colleges know, recognise & value IB students; many give course credits / preferences etc for completion of IB courses to a given level,of attainment

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Page 22 University recognition: How well is the diploma recognized by universities? The IB diploma is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities. Certainly, most UK (and European) universities recognise the IB Diploma and value the abilities of IB students. Definitely for the most competitive places and courses, a full IB Diploma is a basic minimum requirement. Places will be offered on the basis of a ‘conditional’ offer of total Diploma points combined with individual (HL subject scores) N.B. In general undergraduate courses in UK / Europe are 3 years, 4 in North America

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 WHY should I do the IB ?  you are participating in what many teachers believe is the best education program in the world for year olds (and not just for strictly academic reasons !)  Globally recognised educational qualification  Accepted / welcomed by Universities all over the world  Gives students greater access to academic scholarships and advanced credits on some university courses  At AISB, IB courses receive a GPA ‘bump’ ; SL) Page 23

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 IB Diploma Courses : Steps in Registering for Courses Next Year AISB will not use PowerSchool. We will replace PowerSchool with the Veracross online gradebook. Student registrations for courses will occur in Veracross. TENTATIVE DATES Now until March 2 – Teachers are recommending students for courses. By March 12 – All student registrations for courses done through Veracross - Parents and students will see recommendations from teachers - Initiate conversations with teachers March and April – Creation of Master Schedule Grid May – Student Courses confirmed. Any “gaps” in schedule are filled. Page 24

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2007 Page 25 Programmes : What is the Learner Profile? It’s the IB mission statement translated into a set of learning outcomes for the 21 st century. The attributes of the learner profile express the values inherent to the IB continuum of international education: these are values that should infuse all elements of the three programmes and, therefore, the culture and ethos of all IB World Schools. IB programmes promote 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

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