DECIDING TO IMPLEMENT THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME: A CASE STUDY Sanjay Lalwani Bachelor of Education (Primary) (Queensland University of Technology) Master of Educational Leadership (Leading Learning) (Australian Catholic University) A thesis submitted in total fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Philosophy School of Education Faculty of Education & Arts Australian Catholic University 11 November 2019 Deciding to implement the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme: A case study. i STATEMENT OF ORIGINAL AUTHORSHIP This thesis contains no material that has been extracted in whole or in part from a thesis that I have submitted towards the award of any other degree or diploma in any other tertiary institution. No other person’s work has been used without due acknowledgment in the main text of the thesis. All research procedures reported in the thesis received the approval of the relevant Ethics/Safety Committees (where required). Signed: Sanjay Lalwani Date: 11 November 2019 Deciding to implement the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme: A case study. ii STATEMENT OF APPRECIATION The completion of this thesis has taken a few years. As I near the end, I have the opportunity to acknowledge the generosity of a number of people who have helped, supported and encouraged me. First, my appreciation goes to my supervisory team – Professor Brendan Bartlett and Associate Professor Lauren Stephenson (both formerly of the Australian Catholic University). The enriching conversations, valuable insights, effective critiques and guidance you have offered me have been invaluable. My particular thanks go to Associate Professor Janeen Lamb for assisting me in conceptualising the findings of the study and for assisting me to get this thesis ready for submission. My thanks are also extended to Professor Tania Aspland for the assistance, advice, feedback, encouragement and time whenever I needed it. My sincere thanks are extended to the participants involved in this study. I thank you for warmly welcoming me, and for sharing your insights and experiences of leadership and decision-making. I also wish to express gratitude to my colleagues and friends for their presence, encouragement and assistance. Dave, Dylan and Kathy – your friendship and expertise as educational leaders allowed me to bounce ideas and discuss aspects of the study. My particular thanks to Pauline – your perspectives on, and expertise in the subject of this study and your proof reading skills have been invaluable. Edwin and Tessa – your generosity and genuine interest in my well-being has helped me get to this point. My family, from afar, have supported me at every step of the way. Their unwavering encouragement, patience and love has always been my bedrock. The help of all my family and friends has been invaluable. I am indebted to you all. Deciding to implement the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme: A case study. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS STATEMENT OF ORIGINAL AUTHORSHIP ............................................................................. i STATEMENT OF APPRECIATION .......................................................................................... ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................... iii LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................... vii LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................. ix KEYWORDS ........................................................................................................................ x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................... xi ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ xii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1 THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM ................................................................................................ 2 THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE .............................................................................. 4 History and organisational structure ....................................................................... 6 Mission and aims .................................................................................................... 7 The IB Programmes ................................................................................................. 8 The Diploma Programme ............................................................................. 9 The Middle Years Programme .................................................................... 10 The Primary Years Programme .................................................................. 10 The Enhanced Primary Years Programme ........................................... 12 IB authorisation process and conditions ................................................................ 13 RECENT GROWTH OF THE IB ............................................................................................. 15 The international schools sector ........................................................................... 16 CRITICISMS OF THE IB ....................................................................................................... 19 RESEARCH PROBLEM, PURPOSE, AND QUESTION FOR THE STUDY .................................... 22 Research problem ................................................................................................. 22 Research purpose ................................................................................................. 22 Research question ................................................................................................ 22 OUTLINE OF THESIS .......................................................................................................... 23 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW ..................................................................................... 26 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 26 DECISIONS, DECISION-MAKING AND EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP PRACTICE ..................... 26 The nature of decisions ......................................................................................... 27 Types of decisions ................................................................................................. 28 Process of decision-making ................................................................................... 29 Education leadership and decision-making ........................................................... 31 UNDERSTANDING THE DECISION TO IMPLEMENT THE PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME ..... 33 Deciding to implement the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme: A case study. iv General reasons for school curriculum change ...................................................... 33 The reasons for deciding to implement the Primary Years Programme ................. 34 The process of deciding to implement the Primary Years Programme ................... 41 CHAPTER CONCLUSION .................................................................................................... 43 CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH DESIGN ......................................................................................... 45 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 45 RESEARCH PARADIGM ...................................................................................................... 45 Case study methodology ....................................................................................... 47 ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................... 49 METHOD .......................................................................................................................... 51 Participants .......................................................................................................... 51 Identification of research site .................................................................... 51 Description of research site ........................................................................ 54 Physical location .................................................................................. 55 An international through-train school ................................................. 55 Faith based affiliation ......................................................................... 55 Mission ................................................................................................ 55 IB authorisation and WASC accreditation ........................................... 55 Constitutional structure ....................................................................... 56 Institutional context ............................................................................ 56 Community context ............................................................................. 57 Parent body ............................................................................