1. What is the IB Philosophy and Mission? International Baccalaureate Mission Statement: The International Baccalaureate (IB) aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help 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 programs 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. At the heart of the IB is the learner profile, a long-term, holistic vision of education that puts the student at the centre of everything we do. The learner profile is the IB Mission statement translated into a set of learning outcomes for the 21 st century. The learner profile unites us all with a common focus: on the whole person, as a lifelong learner. It applies to us all-student, teacher, parent or administrator for we are all continually learning. 2. How is IB structured? The IB offers three programs: Primary Years Program (PYP), Grades K-5 Middle Years Program (MYP), Grades 6-10 Diploma Program (DP), Grade 11-12 3. What is the implementation status of the me/s in the Greenwich Public Schools? The International School at Dundee (ISD) celebrated its 10 th year as an IB Primary Years Programme school in 2009-10. ISD will undergo the re-authorization process in 2011-12. New Lebanon School is currently in Year 3 of the candidacy phase and will apply for IB Authorization this year. Western Middle School has been accepted as a Candidacy School for the Middle Years Programme and plans to complete Application B for IB Authorization in 2011-12. Greenwich High School has trained some staff and administrators in the IB-MYP, but does not have any official agreements or standings with the IB/MYP. There is a reference in Western s Application A to the high school s intent to enter the consideration phase for the 4 th and 5 th year of the MYP (Grades 9 & 10). The District has not yet explored the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12) in detail, nor has it developed a plan to implement the programme. There are no agreements between the IBO and GHS or GPS in this regard or at this time.
4. The Middle Years Programme (MYP) is for grades 6-10. Are we required to implement IB at GHS as a condition of approval for the program at WMS? No. The IBO encourages school systems to implement the full five-year MYP. Schools may be and have been approved individually without the full range of grades. The IBO believes that the consistent, vertical alignment of a 6-10 MYP provides increased educational benefits but they do recognize the work that WMS has completed and will accept its application without the condition of the high school implementing MYP in grades 9 & 10. We are exploring the MYP for grades 9 & 10 at GHS, but have not yet made any commitments. Please note: If GHS and WMS apply as "partner schools" concurrently, the candidacy fees and future registrations fees will be equivalent to the price of one school plus 10%. If they do not apply as partner schools and if, in the future, GPS/GHS recommends implementation of the MYP in Grades 9 & 10, GHS will incur full candidacy fees and full registration fees. 5. Does the IBO prescribe curriculum content and assessments for the PYP and MYP? No. For example, ISD follows the prescribed Greenwich curriculum content and CT State Standards. IB principles provide a framework for delivering instruction and are embedded in GPS curriculum content. It is no different for the MYP. We develop and implement our own assessments, built around GPS curriculum content. The IBO does use the term curriculum in reference to its framework. Again, for the PYP and the MYP programmes, the IB does not prescribe curriculum content. 6. Why do we want to implement IB in the Greenwich Public Schools? The IB PYP and MYP programmes provide a unifying framework with which to organize GPS curriculum content and many of our improvement strategies, including Transdisciplinary Units, Capstone Projects, TEPL instructional strategies, and social-emotional learning objectives. The training received by our teachers is invaluable and is aligned with research, best practices, TEPL, the Board s Mission and our Vision of the Graduate. 7. What does the future hold, will all of our schools become IB schools? The Board of Education approved IB as a magnet feature for New Lebanon and ISD. If other schools choose to pursue training for teachers and implementation it will be considered. There is no master plan to convert Greenwich to an IB District. The implementation of IB at WMS will provide a continuum for some students who have already begun the program. 8. Is the IBO affiliated with the UN or UNESCO and does it espouse a particular political view and ideology through its PYP, MYP or DP course requirements? IB was funded by the United Nations Education Service and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the 20th Century Fund, and the Ford Foundation until 1976. From 1977 the Heads Standing
Conference (HSC) of Diploma Programme (Diploma) schools was formed and they began to pay the IB an annual subscription fee. In countries where state schools offered the IB Diploma Programme, the governments made financial contributions, and some continue to do so on a reduced basis. In return for these fees, the IB helped schools implement the IB Diploma Programme, offered training workshops and teaching materials to IB teachers, and managed a system of external examinations for IB diploma candidates. The IB was founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1968 as a non-profit educational foundation. Its original purpose was to facilitate the international mobility of students preparing for university by providing schools with a curriculum and diploma recognized by universities around the world. Since then its mission has expanded, and it now seeks to make an IB education available to students of all ages. The IB, along with approximately 400 other organizations, is part of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC). This relationship with the United Nations and its agencies does not extend to curriculum development or assessments. (From IBO documents) 9. What is the process for Board of Education review and approval of the expansion of the IB program? The Board of Education (BOE) approved the IB program at ISD and New Lebanon as part of their respective magnet programs. While the Board of Education has not explicitly taken action on the implementation of the IB Middle Years Programme for WMS or for GHS, the Board has approved the funding for training of secondary staff in the IB-MYP for both the 2010-11 and 2011-12 budgets. In addition, the Superintendent has made it clear on several occasions of his intent to implement the MYP framework at WMS since the initial conversations of exploration and training in the Fall of 2009: As part of the annual Superintendent s evaluation process the Board and the Superintendent discussed and mutually agreed upon a set of goals for 2010-11, including to plan for expansion of the middle years IB program to grades 9 and 10 in 2011-12. In the Superintendent s September 2010 Reflections on 2009-10 and a Vision for the Future Western Middle School has been accepted as a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme and will pursue accreditation as an authorized IB World School over the next 2-3 years. The District was one of only 7 districts in the Americas that hosted an on-site IB training this summer. Over 130 teachers and administrators from the District, the three middle schools and the high school participated in the training.. Western Middle School staff will begin implementation of the International Baccalaureate framework, Greenwich High School will begin the exploratory phase of future IB implementation, and New Lebanon School will be in year three of implementation and beginning their authorization process. In the 2011-12 Superintendent s Budget Book the International Baccalaureate Update located under the Reference Tab (and referred to in the Executive Summary) clearly describes the exploration, training, application and implementation plans for the IB-MYP at WMS and GHS.
As we move forward, the Superintendent and District Administration welcomes the opportunity to provide additional information for the Board of Education s review and consideration. 10. What are the costs associated with the PYP and MYP programs? The budgetary implications for 2011-12 are shown below and in the attached spreadsheet. The recurring costs for the PYP and the MYP are the annual school registration fees and the costs of teacher release time for coordination (an IB requirement). IBO does not require that we provide any administrative coordination within an IB candidacy school. There will not be an increase in administration FTE s attributable to the IB program. IB only requires that one teacher from each of the eight designated subject areas and the head of the school administrator receive IB Middle Years Program Level 1 training. We chose to provide Level 1 MYP professional learning above and beyond this minimal level of required training last summer, due to the fact that this workshop highlights research-based, best teaching practices and would be beneficial for all teachers and administrators. Training beyond the initial training is optional, solely at the discretion of the District. There are no required or planned assessment costs associated with the PYP and MYP. For clarification purposes, in Western Middle School s Application A, a proposed budget was included. In 2010-11, the budget included the annual IB fee ($9,500), an estimate for the IB school coordinator position ($28,000), and the July 2010 MYP in-district training ($170,000) all funded through the District Operating Budget and Title 2 Grant. Additionally, the Application A budget reflects Westerns per pupil allocation funds dedicated to teaching supplies, library media services and teacher growth and development for curriculum writing. These allocations were included in the application budget to highlight Western s commitment to supporting instruction and are part of Western s annual expenses. These are not additional costs necessary to implement IB specifically. There are no additional costs for school supplies related to IB. Consultation provided by IB during the candidacy phase is included within the Candidacy Fee, it is not an additional cost. 2011-2012 BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS Reference Attached Spreadsheet: IB Programme Budget and Estimated Costs The costs associated with training, implementation, coordination, and annual fees vary according to start up and ongoing costs. STAFFING IB requires a part-time teacher coordinator in each school, they do not recommend or require a set time allowance..6 FTE GHS Teacher Coordinator (~$45,000).4 FTE WMS Teacher Coordinator (~$30,000) IB-PYP Coordination at ISD and NLS has been assigned to the Assistant Principal at the respective schools.
IB FEES IB candidate schools and authorized schools are required to pay an Annual Fee. The candidacy fee is higher during the candidacy years and reverts to the basic annual fee once authorized. In order to maintain IB Authorization, schools conduct a re-authorization process and pay a fee for that year. ISD Registration Fee (Annual/Recurring) - $8,000 ISD Re-Authorization Fee (every 5 years) - $3,500 New Lebanon Candidacy Fees (Annual/Recurring) $9,500 Western Middle School Candidacy Fees (Annual/Recurring) - $9,500 Greenwich High School Candidacy Fees (Annual/Recurring) - $9,500* SUB-TOTAL IB FEES: $40,000 *If WMS and GHS are established as Partnership Schools the yearly fee will be applied to one school with an additional 10% of the fee for the second school. 1 st school (WMS) $9,500 + (10% of $9,500) $950.00 (GHS) (Annual/Recurring) = $10,450* TOTAL 2011-12 IB FEES (w/ghs and WMS as Partnership Schools): $31,450 PROFESSIONAL LEARNING Level I IB MYP Training: Summer 2011 On-Site MYP Workshop: (All funds could vary slightly based on attendance. The following budget is based on approximately 100 participants) Title 2 Grant Funding 2011-2012 o $3,900.00 - Food (Breakfast & Lunch are required on-site by IB) o $1,600.00 Printing o $875.00 Payroll Taxes o $2,000.00 Materials for presenters o $81,770.00 Workshop Registration and Consultant Fees (includes traveling/lodging for consultants) SUB-TOTAL SUMMER 2011 LEVEL I MYP TRAINING (Title 2 Grant Funding): $90,145.00 Operating Budget 2011-2012 (District Funded for Level I Training) o $58,560 to pay teachers and Program Administrators for attendance to the workshop in July 2011 as per GEA and GOSA contractual rates o $13,125 (Program 70) for ISD and New Lebanon IB PYP - Level 1 training and travel for seven new teachers = $13,125 ($1875 per teacher) SUB-TOTAL 2011-12 LEVEL I PYP & MYP TRAINING (Op. Budget District Funding): $71,685 Operating Budget 2011-2012 (Schools/Per Pupil Allocation Funded for Level II, III and other Training) Principals from ISD, New Lebanon, and Western Middle School choose to designate part of their school per pupil allocations to support their IB initiatives.
o Western Middle School: Travel and Registration Fees for Level 2 training - $7,050 o International School at Dundee: Travel and Registration Fees for Levels 2 & 3 training - $6,250 o New Lebanon School: Travel and Registrations Fees for Levels 2 & 3 training - $5,625, Consultant - $2000 SUB-TOTAL 2011-12 PYP & MYP LEVEL II & III TRAINING (Op. Budget School/PPA Funding): $20,925 11. Will IB replace SPED and ALP? No. The IB programmes do not dictate how students are grouped for instruction. No. The District has no plans to replace ALP or SpEd due to the implementation of IB-MYP. These programmes exist concurrently with the IB-PYP at both New Lebanon and the International School at Dundee. 12. Will the District offer the Diploma Programme (DP)? What commitments from the District were requested by IB representation on the DP at GHS? By when do you intend to implement IB Diploma Programme? Will the DP replace the District s AP program? The District has not yet explored the Diploma Programme in detail, nor has it developed a plan to implement this programme. No commitments have been requested or given. No timeline has been developed. No plans to replace the AP program have been developed, decided or discussed. There does not necessarily need to be a choice between AP and IB-DP. The two programs can both be offered, especially at a high school the size of GHS, providing students with more opportunities to address their individual interests, strengths and goals. The Superintendent will develop a process and a time frame for this study. We can offer the MYP program through grade 10 and not implement the DP for grades 11 & 12. The DP is a rigorous program with six basic course requirements. Unlike the PYP and the MYP it is not a program suitable for all students. There are considerable costs associated with the program which will factor into the Superintendent s and the BOE s decision should a recommendation come before the BOE. 13. Regarding Dr. Gross s statement at last Board meeting that administration officials were "conferencing" with IB representatives, regarding expansion of IB to GHS: What was District told about the implementation (or lack thereof, if only to be done at WMS) of MYP at High School by IB representatives? Who from the district, other than Dr. Gross, was on these conferences? What are names of IB representatives with whom GPS was in contact? Any number of conversations have been had with members of the IBO and have included a number of administrators, among them, the Superintendent, the Deputy Superintendent, the Assistant Superintendent, the Director of Communications and Principals. The question regarding MYP at the
high school was addressed in Q&A #4. GREENWICH PUBLIC SCHOOLS 14. What commitments from the District were requested by IB representatives on MYP at GHS? Diploma Program? On MYP @ GHS: no commitments have been requested or given. There is a reference in Western s Application A to the high school s intent to enter the consideration phase for the 4 th and 5 th year of the MYP (Grades 9 & 10). On DP: no commitments have been requested or given. 15. Why does IBO require that only its "marketing materials" can be used to "market" IB with parents and students? Is District abiding by that requirement? Can Board be provided with such materials? The IB materials provide a comprehensive presentation of the programmes. In addition, both ISD and NLS create their own marketing brochure referencing their status with the IBO. The Board has been provided with the IBO materials. 16. Has IBO been informed of lack of Board approval for "implementation of IB at WMS"? The IBO has been informed of the current Board discussion. 17. Is the award of the MYP certificate solely the prerogative of the IBO? What about DP certificate? How does that dovetail with graduation requirements under state law? MYP: If the District implements the five-year MYP program and if the District were to pursue the option of the MYP Certificates for its students, the end of program assessments would be moderated by the IBO. The District has no plans to pursue this option at this time. DP: The District has not yet explored the Diploma Programme in detail, nor has it developed a plan to implement this programme. No commitments have been requested or given. No timeline has been developed. 18. Do we enter into any contracts with IBO? What are our legal obligations? Will the contracts be reviewed by Town counsel to insure that our rights are protected? See Memo from John Wayne Fox, dated February 3, 2011 (attached)
Greenwich Public Schools Vision of the Graduate IB Attitudes Features Greenwich Public Schools are committed to preparing Greenwich students to function effectively in an interdependent global community. Therefore, in addition to acquiring a core body of knowledge, all students will develop their individual capacities to: The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. Pose and pursue substantive questions Curiosity, Appreciation Units of Inquiry six per grade level IB Learner Profile: Inquirer Critically interpret, evaluate, and synthesize information Curiosity, Commitment Higher order thinking focus on the abstract; IB Learner Profile: Thinker, Knowledgeable Explore, define, and solve complex problems Commitment, Independence Responding to IB problems, research projects, oral presentations, problem scenarios. Learner Profile: Thinker IB Communicate effectively for a given purpose Confidence, Enthusiasm IB unit culminating presentations; Fifth Grade Exhibition IB Learner Profile: Communicator Advocate for ideas, causes, and actions Enthusiasm, Empathy, Independence Action Component: Provides solutions to real-life problems IB Learner Profile: Caring, Risk-Taker Generate innovative, creative ideas and products Collaborate with others to produce a unified work and/or heightened understanding Creativity, Enthusiasm Cooperation, Respect, Appreciation Grade Level Partnerships in the Arts; Culminating unit projects IB Learner Profile: Thinker, Well-Balanced Collaboration and teamwork integral to IB IB Learner Profile: Caring, Communicator, Open-Minded Contribute to community through dialogue, service, and/or leadership Confidence, Commitment Service to the community (local, national, international). Action component of IB. IB Learner Profile: Communicator, Risk-Taker, Caring Conduct themselves in an ethical and responsible Integrity, Commitment, Independence IB Units require responsible and independent students IB Learner Profile: Principled, Thinker Recognize and respect other cultural contexts and points of view Respect, Empathy, Tolerance Learning a foreign language. Respect and support of mother tongue. Focus on internationalism, global society. IB Learner Profile: Open Minded Pursue their unique interests, passions and curiosities Enthusiasm, Creativity, Independence Fifth Grade Exhibition; Choice is built into units of inquiry. IB Learner Profile: Well-Balanced, Inquirer Respond to failures and successes with reflection and resilience Be responsible for their own mental and physical health Appreciation, Independence Independence, Confidence Goal setting and self-assessment; Reflection is part of every IB unit. IB Learner Profile: Reflective, Thinker Whole child approach IB Learner Profile: Well-Balanced, Thinker
me Budgeted and Estimated Costs February 2011 2011-12 (BUDGET) 2012-13 (ESTIMATES*) 2013-14 (ESTIMATES*) PROGRAMS / SCHOOLS GRADES STAFFING IB FEES TRAINING STAFFING IB FEES TRAINING STAFFING IB FEES TRAINING Rgstrn & Trvl Rgstrn & Trvl Rgstrn & Trvl IB-PYP Grades K-5 at ISD* K-5 AP duties *$8,000 *$6,250 AP duties *$8,000 *$6,250 AP duties *$8,000 *$6,250 **$3,500 at NLS** K-5 AP duties *$9500 *$5,625 AP duties *$8,000 *$5,625 AP duties *$8,000 *$5,625 **$2,000 District for PYP Level I New ***$13,125 *$13,125 *$13,125 IB-MYP Grades 6-8 at WMS** 6-8 $30,000 *$9500 *$7,050 $30,000 *$9500 *$7,050 *TBD *$9500 *$7,050.4 FTE (GEA).4 FTE (GEA) at GHS*** 9-10 $45,000 ***$950 ****$58,560 $45,000 *$950 *$10,000 *TBD ***$950 *$10,000.6 FTE (GEA).6 FTE (GEA) District for MYP Level I New N/A *$18,750 *$18,750 IB-DP Grades 11-12 at GHS*** N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A TOTAL $75,000 $31,450 #$92,610 $75,000 $26,450 $60,800 *TBD $26,450 $60,800 *Authorized IB School **Candidate Schools ***No app. filed *Annual Fee, higher in candidacy years **Re- Authorization fee every 5 years *** Fee is 10% of annual IF applying as partnership school WITH WMS *Levels II/III- Per Pupil Allocation **Consultant Fee - not required *** Level I - New Staff District Funded **** Level I - 'Start Up' District Funded # plus $90,145 for Level I funded via Title 2 Grant * Required Annual Fee * Level I training for staff new to school and/or Levels II & III funded at the discretion of the District/ Schools *once units are written and school is authorized responsibility may be shifted to a building administrator * Required Annual Fee * Level I training for staff new to school and/or Levels II & III funded at the discretion of the District/ Schools 2/3/11
Dr. Sidney A. Freund Superintendent of Schools Havemeyer Building 290 Greenwich Avenue Greenwich, Connecticut 06830-6521 Tel: (203) 625-7400 Sidney_Freund@Greenwich.k12.ct.us January 25, 2011 Mr. John Wayne Fox Town of Greenwich Law Department 101 Field Point Road Greenwich, CT 06830 Dear Wayne, The District is considering the expansion of the me into Western Middle School and Greenwich High School. During the course of discussions several legal questions have arisen. I am enclosing copies of existing contracts with IBO and other supportive documentation. The contact person at IBO for legal matters is Mr. Ted Williams. Questions to be addressed: 1. What is the applicable law for IB contracts? Swiss? Other? 2. Is the District liable for violations to the IB copyrights and trademarks? Any specific penalties? 3. Is it true that a school must accept any amendment to the Rules for IB World Schools, decided by the IBO, without any say by the BOE or the school administration? What are consequences for not abiding by such rules? 4. Is the March 2010 letter signed by Mr. Anderson (attached) enforceable as against GPS and the Greenwich BOE by the IBO and its affiliates? If so, how so? Would any dispute arising under such letter be governed by Swiss law? Is such letter incorporated by reference into the MYP application? Are the IBO Rules, and adherence to them by the District, incorporated by reference into the MYP Application? 5. Breakage or termination of IB Contracts: what if the District abandoned IB, would the District be obligated to IBO financially in any way? PYP? MYP? The IBO Rules state that a school may terminate its authorization to teach the MYP by giving six months notice, to take effect from the beginning of the next school year, except that the teaching of the MYP shall continue until students already registered for IB Organization moderation have had the opportunity to obtain IB Organization validated grades. Fees remain payable to the IB Organization until the teaching has ended. What does this mean? What are IB Organization-validated grades? Does that mean the District must pay for all students that have gone through Dundee to take IB tests through 12 th grade? Does this apply to Stage 1 schools (first stage of IB application) like NL and WMS? Or just to fully accredited IB schools?
6. Are we relinquishing control of our curriculum and professional development to the Swiss government and / or IBO? 7. Do we maintain control and ownership of our work products? Will they become protected by the IBO copyright? 8. How are disputes arbitrated? Are we bound by decisions of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce? Also, please review the enclosed application carefully in terms of IB requirements and advise if any of the requirements are problematic from a legal stand point. Thank you for your assistance in responding to these questions. Please feel free to contact me for clarification. Sincerely, Dr. Sidney A. Freund Superintendent of Schools Greenwich Public Schools /attachment SAF/lv