Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Carmen considering the IB Diploma Programme

Several teachers, community leaders and parents of Tates Creek High School have been pursuing a difficult goal of establishing TCHS as only the fifth high school in Kentucky to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

The program stresses how the student learns by thinking instead of repetition. It also has stringent requirements on course selection to ensure that the student is well rounded instead of advanced in his or her strengths.

Several of the teachers have already been inspired by the week long training at various locations throughout the world.

At one of the introduction meetings last week, there were several parents from private schools and magnet schools that were considering Tates Creek because of this IB programme.

There were several spokesman, but I was sold by the testimony of a product. This young lady was only 21 years old and had already graduated with two degrees from the University of Michigan because of the head start she received from her scores. She was very comfortable sharing a very small portion of her experiences. She sold me long before someone else disclosed that she had finished two degrees in three years at a major university.

It is hard to tell where Carmen will head to college, but knocking off a year of tuition will really help her stay out of debt:


I'd be interested in hearing any comments about the IB programme from educators, parents or students out there in blogdom.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Boo Louisville.

Anonymous said...

I asked one of my friends who is a teacher at a local high school that has been a part of the IB Diploma Programme for several years to share his thoughts.

I told him that Carmen was concerned that it might lower her GPA and make her less attractive to colleges. He told me that his high school adds .25 to each grade category to help offset the potential Bs and Cs that may come in some course work that don't match up with the student's strengths. Some students finish with a GPA above the 4.0 scale.

As to the difference between AP courses and IB Diploma, he said it was like comparing apples to oranges. AP does multiple choice tests, Diploma completes essays. IB allows more teacher freedom to push the thinking of each student, AP pushes teachers to help students learn the content for a multiple choice test.

He said that difference in the vocational success of his AP students vs. his IB students is dramatic. More opportunties open up for the IB students, and they typically move to the top of the list for college internships and special classes because of IB. "Anyone can take an AP class, only the most exceptional students can complete the IB Diploma."

Say No to IBO said...

Kevin,

As someone whose high school was "taken over" by IB three years ago and an individual who has done extensive research into the program, I urge your district to avoid IB like the plague.

Keith is not providing you accurate information about the differences between IB and AP. The vast majority of college admissions officers say, "IB? What's that?". Furthermore, colleges do not recognize IB SL (Standard Level) courses for college credit.

IBO is a Swiss based organization with allegiance to UNESCO. IB's "philosophy" is to focus our children on global issues while clearly making America the enemy. It is a dangerous attempt to undermine American education in our public schools under the guise of improvement. IBO's #1 strategy right now is expansion. This organization must be stopped.

SAY NO TO IBO!

Kevin Eby said...

Say not to ibo,

I'd be interested to know what measure you used to determine the amount of "America" that IBO undermines.

Can you share a specific example of how your high school was more "American" before IBO "took over"?

I appreciate your efforts to alert me to the potential for brain washing by the IBO. I'll tell Carmen to look out for that.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like Say No to IBO has a touch of the crazies.

Anonymous said...

That's right. Anyone who doesn't think IB is the greatest thing since sliced bread must be crazy. What an astute argument!

IB Mom said...

I'm an IB mom and have had great experiences with the IB program for my child as have thousands throughout the country. I know "say not to IBO" tries to post the anti-IB website on every comment list available to deter you from the IB program, but go to the meetings, talk to IB parents and students and make up your own mind. If you have a bright, motivated student and you want them to not be stuck thinking inside the box, give the program a try. It has been wonderful for my child. For the first time he's surrounded by teachers that aren't trying to "dumb him down" to fit some minimal curriculum. He's happy, loves his schoolwork and has more real-world knowledge than most adults. Again, you make the choice....don't let some negative campaign with unknown motives make your choice for you.

Kevin Eby said...

IB Mom,

I'm glad to hear your experience with IB was good. The blog post that you commented on was written three years ago.

Since then, Carmen did choose the IB program. She is graduating near the top of her class and has learned a great deal. Like her Uncle Keith suggested in his comments, universities have actively recruited her because of her high grades in IB and recommendations from the High School.

She is still a little too close to all the extra work that she had to do to appreciate how much that has helped her in life.

In a few years, I believe that Carmen will look back on all the hard work and view that as something that was worth the effort.

IB Mom said...

I'm so glad to hear your success story and happy it worked that way for you! You obviously had a very talented teen there and lots of support from you to help make it happen. Congrads to both of you for your hard work! :)