The IB Diploma Programme

21st century education Language A1and second language Individuals and societies Students select two languages: one from group 1 and an additional · Business and management language normally from group 2. Group 1 is for students’ best Life in the 21st century, in an interconnected, · Economics language and the course is literature based; Group 2 is designed for students learning the language up to near · Geography native speaker level. · History globalized world, requires critical-thinking skills and Students select the language courses based on · Information technology their language profi ciency and the outcomes in a global society of the course. · Philosophy · Psychology a sense of international-mindedness, something · Social and cultural anthropology · Environmental systems that International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and societies* Programme students learn to know and understand.

Mathematics and What is the IB Diploma Programme? Experimental sciences computer science · Biology · Mathematical studies · Chemistry standard level · Design technology · Mathematics standard level The IB Diploma Programme is designed as an academically • encouraged international-mindedness in IB students, challenging and balanced programme of education with starting with a foundation in their own language · Environmental systems · Mathematics higher level and societies* fi nal examinations that prepares students, normally aged and culture · Further mathematics · Physics standard level 16 to 19, for success at university and life beyond. The The arts • developed a positive attitude to learning that prepares programme is normally taught over two years and has · Music · Computer science (elective) students for university education · Theatre gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading · Visual arts universities. • gained a reputation for its rigorous external assessment · Film with published global standards, making this a Since the late 1960s, the programme has: qualifi cation welcomed by universities worldwide • provided a package of education that balances subject The availability of these subjects will vary in each IB World School *transdisciplinary subject • emphasized the development of the whole student– breadth and depth, and considers the nature of and students should consult their Diploma Programme coordinator. physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically. Subject availability may also vary from year to year. knowledge across disciplines through the unique theory of knowledge course

The curriculum

IB Diploma Programme students study six courses at study these subjects, and be examined, in English, French In addition the programme has three core requirements • Theory of knowledge is a course designed to encourage higher level or standard level. Students must choose one or Spanish. that are included to broaden the educational experience each student to refl ect on the nature of knowledge by subject from each of groups 1 to 5, thus ensuring breadth and challenge students to apply their knowledge and critically examining diff erent ways of knowing (perception, Students will develop an understanding of the IB learner of experience in languages, social studies, the experimental understanding. emotion, language and reason) and diff erent kinds of profi le. The ten aspirational qualities of the learner profi le sciences and mathematics. knowledge (scientifi c, artistic, mathematical and historical). inspire and motivate the work of teachers, students and • The extended essay is a requirement for students to The sixth subject may be an arts subject chosen from schools, providing a statement of the aims and values of engage in independent research through an in-depth • Creativity, action, service requires that students actively group 6, or the student may choose another subject from the IB and a defi nition of what we mean by “international- study of a question relating to one of the subjects they learn from the experience of doing real tasks beyond the groups 1 to 5. are studying. mindedness”. IB learners strive to be inquirers, thinkers, classroom. Students can combine all three components or At least three and not more than four subjects are taken communicators, risk-takers, knowledgeable, principled, do activities related to each one of them separately. at higher level (recommended 240 teaching hours), the open-minded, caring, balanced and refl ective. others at standard level (150 teaching hours). Students can Assessment

Students take written examinations at the end of the Assessment is criterion-related, which means student programme, which are marked by external IB examiners. performance is measured against pre-specifi ed assessment Students also complete assessment tasks in the school, criteria based on the aims and objectives of each subject which are either initially marked by teachers and then curriculum, rather than the performance of other students moderated by external moderators or sent directly to taking the same examinations. Statistically the range of external examiners. scores that students have attained has remained stable and universities value the rigour and consistency of Diploma The marks awarded for each course range from 1 (lowest) Programme assessment practice. to 7 (highest). Students can also be awarded up to three additional points for their combined results on theory Students can choose to study for individual subject of knowledge and the extended essay. The diploma is certifi cates, rather than the full diploma, if the diploma awarded to students who gain at least 24 points, subject combination does not best meet their individual needs or to certain minimum levels of performance across the circumstances. whole programme and to satisfactory participation in the creativity, action, service requirement. The highest total that a Diploma Programme student can be awarded is 45 points.

Quality assurance and professional development

Any school wishing to off er the Diploma Programme and required to participate in an ongoing process of review and attain IB World School status must fi rst go through the development, using standards and practices that apply to authorization process. The requirements for authorization all IB World Schools. are the same for all schools, even though the process is IB teachers are challenged to constantly refl ect upon and administered slightly diff erently in each IB region. The improve their practice. All teachers in IB World Schools process is designed to ensure schools are well prepared to have access to the online curriculum centre, which implement the programme successfully. provides programme documentation, examples of student This is a challenging programme that demands the best work, and also acts as the hub of an international online from both motivated students and teachers. Schools community. Teachers can talk to other teachers in IB World can access an extensive package of IB professional Schools around the world, give and receive advice, and post development for teachers and administrators and commit their own example resources for other teachers to share. to ongoing professional development. Schools are

• Become an IB student Support our mission and join the IB Africa, Europe and Middle East [email protected] • Teach at an IB World School IB community at IB Asia-Pacifi c [email protected] • Become an IB World School http://www.ibo.org IB Latin America [email protected] • Volunteer or work for the IB or contact your IB regional offi ce: IB North America and [email protected] the Caribbean

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