The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Schenley High School. An introduction to the program for the parents of prospective candidates.

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1 The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Schenley High School An introduction to the program for the parents of prospective candidates.

2 What is the IB Diploma Programme? The IBDP is a challenging two-year program of international education for juniors and seniors. The program prepares students for university and encourages students to: ask challenging questions, learn how to learn, develop a strong sense of their identity and culture, and develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures.

3 What is the IB Diploma? The IB Diploma is awarded by the International Baccalaureate Organization to those students who complete the following requirements: Receive an average mark of 4 or higher (out of 7 points) in the required six subject areas. Write and submit an original extended essay (EE). Write essays and make presentations on a variety of Theory of Knowledge (TOK) topics. Complete a minimum of 150 hours of creativity, action and service (CAS) activities.

4 The IB Diploma Hexagonal Model Language A1 Second Language Individuals and Societies Experimental Sciences Mathematics and Computer Science The Arts

5 How valuable is the IB Diploma? The IB Diploma provides the necessary preparation to succeed at university. Admissions officers actively recruit IB Diploma candidates. The IB Diploma, in some cases, will provide the student with advanced placement or credit hours. The IB Diploma serves as a testament of the student s academic and personal achievements.

6 What type of candidate is your child? Diploma Candidate: Sits for all six subject assessments over two years, and must complete the EE, TOK and CAS requirements. Certificate Candidate: Sits only for the subject assessments he or she chooses, but does not have to complete the EE, TOK and CAS requirements. Non-Candidate: Is enrolled in IB courses but does not sit for any IB exams.

7 Must the student be in CAS? Contrary to popular belief, the IBDP is not a surrogate for CAS. The program is intended for all students, regardless of IQ. The program is extremely challenging and demanding, and requires good study and timemanagement skills. It is strongly recommended that students have a GPA of 3.00 or higher, and have received reading and math scores of Proficient or Advanced on their 9 th grade Terra Nova assessments.

8 How are candidates assessed? By the end of the two-year program, students will have been assessed both internally and externally in ways that measure individual performances against stated objectives for each subject. In most cases, the internal assessment represents 30% of a student s overall mark in each subject. This system allows for the application of a uniform standard for all IBDP students throughout the world.

9 How do students earn the Diploma? Students must take courses from the six subject areas, three at a higher level and three at a standard level. Students must receive scores no lower than 2 out of 7 in standard level subjects and no lower than 3 out of 7 in higher level subjects. In most cases, a student who receives a total of 24 or more points on subject area assessments, and who does not receive Es on both the extended essay and TOK will be awarded the Diploma. Students must complete the EE, TOK and CAS requirements.

10 What are the costs? Per Capita Fee: $ Registration Fee: $80.00 Subject Fees: 6 subject exams at $60 each $ Extended Essay $38.00 Theory of Knowledge $13.00 Grand Total: $ Source: 2007 Schedule of Fees - IBDP Vade Mecum

11 Wow! That seems like a lot! Yes, it does. But consider the following: Many universities give credit hours for higher level marks of 5 or higher. Some universities award as many as 30 credit hours to recipients of the IB Diploma. A single credit hour of in-state tuition at the University of Pittsburgh costs $ Pittsburgh Public Schools will partially or fully reimburse the fees if the Diploma is awarded.

12 What courses are available at Schenley? Language A1: English A1 Higher Standard Second Language: French B, German B or Spanish B Higher Standard Japanese B Standard ab initio Individuals and Societies: History of the Americas or History of Europe Higher Standard Information Technology in a Global Society Higher Standard Experimental Sciences: Biology, Chemistry or Physics Standard Mathematics: Mathematics Standard Mathematical Studies Standard The Arts: Theatre Arts Higher Standard Visual Arts Higher Standard

13 What is an IB student s day like? All junior and senior IB students will be on a modified A/B Block Schedule similar to the one in the handout. The extended periods allow for greater discussion time and reduce the number disciplines per day from 8 to 5. Students pursuing the IB Diploma will have an after-school requirement.

14 How successful have our students been? Since the first examination session in May 1987, 172 Schenley graduates have been awarded the IB Diploma. Last year, 18 of the 21 Diploma candidates received the IB Diploma. Pass rates for May 2006: 86% for Schenley 72% for the USA 75 % for IBNA 82% for the world

15 The next few steps First: Find out more about the IBDP at this website: Second: Talk to your son or daughter and carefully determine what type of candidate he or she is. Third: Complete the Candidate Subject Preference Form with your child, and have him or her return it to me or Mr. Casilli, the program s CAS coordinator. Fourth: Contact me at ohuber1@pghboe.net or call the school if you have any further questions.

16 Any questions?