IB+Diploma

toc =Description of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program=

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is a challenging two-year curriculum, primarily aimed at students aged 16 to 19. It leads to a qualification that is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities.

The program prepares students for college by encouraging them to ask challenging questions as they “learn how to learn,” while developing both a strong sense of their own identity and culture and the ability to communicate with and understand people from other lands.

The curriculum contains six subject groups (Language, Second Language, Experimental Sciences, the Arts, Mathematics and Computer Science, and Individuals and Societies). There are also three core requirements (the Extended Essay, which offers students the opportunity to investigate a topic of individual interest and acquaints them with the independent research and writing skills expected at college level; Theory of Knowledge, an interdisciplinary course that encourages an appreciation of other cultural perspectives; and Creativity, Action, and Service, which encourages students to be involved in artistic pursuits, sports, and community service work)

=Timeline to Implementation=

=Assessment Map 2010-2011=

=Course Guides= please click the link below to download

Diploma Program Requirements
CAS Extended Essay Theory of Knowledge

Language A1
Language A1

Second Language
Classical Languages Language A2 Language B Language ab initio

Individuals and Societies
Business and management Economics Geography History Philosophy Psychology Anthropology World Religions

Experimental Sciences
Biology Chemistry Environmental Systems Physics Sports, exercise and health science

Mathematics and Computer Science
Computer Science Further Mathematics SL Mathematics Studies SL Mathematics HL Mathematics SL

The Arts
Dance Film Music Theatre Visual Arts = = =FAQ's= (many questions from a recent visit with our IB consultant)

Q: What are the differences between IB and AP? A: IB centers teaching around a philosophy and methodology, AP has no coherent philosophy. IB uses a balanced curriculum with core aspects like TOK, CAS and the Extended Essay. The IB is a more adult way of learning with enrichment opportunities outside of the classroom. The AP uses isolated courses. In many cases you don't even need to take the AP course. The IB uses ongoing and varied assessment, internally and externally. The AP offers a grade at the end of the course.

Q: What is the number of schools in New England with the Diploma Programme? A: The IB is increase 16% every year in North America and doubling every 5 years in the world. NHS is on the front end of the trend to offer the IB Diploma Programme in New England.

Q: When will be the first IB course(s) be offered at NHS? A: NHS is scheduled to offer the class of 2012 as its first full IB Diploma candidates, therefore 2010 will be the first year IB courses are scheduled to be offered.

Q: When should NHS start to educate our immediate public and interest parent community? A: As early as October 1, you should start to educate and discuss the core curriculum and key aspects like: TOK, CAS and the Extended Essay.

Q: What level of teacher autonomy is there with the IB? A: More than say the AP. The IB does not have teachers turn in syllabi. The IB trust the implementation of the programme to the IB Coordinator and communicates directly with them.

Q: Can a student take an IB course before the 11th and 12th grade year? A: Yes, but the course credit could not be used toward the full diploma. The IB discourages treated courses in isolation and thus encourages students to take the comprehensive and complete Diploma programme over the full two years starting in the 11th grade.

Q: What benefit is there to the IB programme in the college process? A: Data will be provided. However a recent IB Diploma graduate stated, "The IB especially, if subconsciously at the time, prepares its students for university by teaching them to take more responsibility for their own learning..."

Q: What percentage of students in a school typically do the IB? A: On national averages, usually 35% of the school's 11th and 12th grade class does the IB full diploma with 55% of the students taking one or more certificates.

Q: What is the success rate of students taking IB courses? A: The IB calculates an 85% success rate of Diploma candidates.

Q: How open are other schools to visitation by interested IB teachers? A: The IB very much promotes and encourages collaboration, from the OCC to visitation to fellow IB schools. In the regional network of IB North America, NHS could visit Montreal, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, as well as schools in the United States.

Q: How do we get access to the IB's Online Curriculum Center (OCC)? A: Please see Dan

Q: Who is on the NHS IB Steering Committee and when does it meet? A: The early all volunteer IB Exploratory Committee has morphed into the IB Steering Committee and will meet from 6-7pm every second Tuesday of the month in the Master Classroom. All are welcome!

Q: What is the training process for a teacher to become IB certified and in what ways will NHS make this possible for us (me)? A: Currently NHS has budgeted for IB training for: TOK teacher, CAS Coordinator, every department to have one certified IB teacher, and the IB Coordinator before October 2009. The process for applying for training is to fill out a Professional Development form and submit it to the IB Coordinator along with a statement of intent for the IB Training.

Q: How do we support mother-tongue learners? A: Through extra help sessions, materials in their native language if possible, through respecting and celebrating their culture.

Q: What courses would a student need to take before taking the IB Diploma programme? A: You cannot label a course as "pre-IB". However it is best incorporate IB teaching and learning methodology before the 11th grade year.

Q: What fees are associated with the IB A: Please see Jill

Q: What is a perfect score for the IB Diploma? A: A perfect score is 45 points: "7" in six IB course (3 Higher Level and 3 Standard Level) plus "3" bonus points TOK and the Extended Essay/

Q: What IB score grants college credit? A: It depends on the college or university but usually a "3" or higher especially on higher level courses.

=Professional Development= = =