The International Baccalaureate An Introduction for Grade 9 & 10 Parents Guide at ISM

The IB Coordinator• Mike Relf

• Contact: relfm@ismanila.org

• Tel: +632 840 8673• Office: 1066 (guidance)

• About me:▫ Teacher 18 years▫ Geography & ToK▫ UK, Jordan, Venezuela▫ Examiner ToK /

Geography

▫ 2nd Year at ISM▫ 3 children…

not troubled by IB yet!

Goal… A Presentation in 4 Parts• Part 1: About the IB

Diploma… a beginners guide

• Part 2: What options do I have and how do I choose?

• Part 3: Advantages & Disadvantages of the IB Diploma?

• Part 4: Some University Perspectives

• Q & A

Part1: What is the IB Diploma?…• Challenging Two year Pre-

University High School program

• Create Well Rounded & Well Educated Individuals

• Balance of Breadth and depth

What the IB Says… A Video Introduction fro

m some Ib students: www.ibo.org/diploma

• At ISM…• Open Door…• Non-selective… but

recommendations• Diploma Vs Certificate

Vs ISM Diploma

The IB Philosophy

Life in the 21st century, in an interconnected, globalized world, requires critical-thinking skills and a sense of international-mindedness, something that International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Program students come to know and understand.

This philosophy is achieved through the IB Hexagon

•Inquirers

•Knowledgeable

•Thinkers

•Communicators

•Principled

•Open-Minded

•Caring

•Risk-Takers

•Balanced

•Reflective

How is it Assessed?

•Each subject is scored on a scale 1-7 (7 is best!)

•Students study 6 subjects ▫Max subject score = 6x7 = 42▫ToK + EE = 0-3 points = 42+3 = 45!

Perfect Score

▫2011 104,998 diploma global candidates – 96

scored 45 (0.001%) – 193 scored 44 (0.002%) Average 29.5 pts

IB Candidate Numbers at ISM

Some Figures from May 2011

•170 candidates sitting IB exams•113 Diploma candidates•111 achieved diploma•Average Total Points Score 34.4•Highest 44 (Smriti & Manny) (possible

45)•13 candidates scores over 40

ISM Results highlights 2011

Results trends

Compulsory Elements 1:Theory of Knowledge (ToK)• Philosophical Investigation

based around 2 key questions…

What do I Know? How do I know it?

Assessment 1 essay from a selection

prescribed by IB 1 presentation – subject

chosen by student

Compulsory Element 2:Extended Essay (EE)• 4000 word investigation

into a student chosen academic subject

• Must follow strict academic investigation in line with university expectations

• Guided by supervisor

• Externally assessed

• Chance to develop an interest / academic depth

Compulsory Element 3:Creativity Action Service (CAS)• IB Diploma Requirement… you

must complete the CAS requirements in order to obtain a diploma – 150 hours

• As the IB States… “the CAS program fosters student awareness and appreciation of life outside the academic arena”

▫ It encourages you to develop skills and experiences beyond your current context

▫ It enables you to develop skills beyond the academic

▫ It makes you a ‘better person’

Part 2: What Options do I Have & How do I Choose?

• 4 Year Plan Process… begins in Grade 9 and continues in Grade 10 – Guidance

• IB Diploma Vs Certificate Vs ISM Diploma?

• Graduation Requirements

• Guidance Counselor Role

• Homeroom

• 20th 24th February Grade 10 Registration Week

Course Choices by IB Group• Group 4 – Sciences

▫ Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Systems & Societies*, Sports Exercise & Health Science

• Group 5 – Mathematics▫ Math Studies, SL, HL,

Computer Science• Group 6 – The Arts &

Electives▫ Theatre, Film, Visual

Arts, ▫ or another subject from

any group!

• Course Options at ISM• Group1 – 1st language

▫ English, Korean, Japanese• Group 2 – Language

Acquisition▫ English, Mandarin,

Japanese, , Spanish, French… or second First language inc. Filipino

• Group 3 – Social Studies▫ Economics, Business &

Management, Geography, History, Psychology, Environmental Systems & Societies*

Course Offerings…

IB Blog

Part 3: Advantages & Disadvantages of the IB Diploma?•Advantages

▫Academic Rigor▫Become a ‘Better’ Person▫Opens more ‘doors’–

university / subjects▫International Recognition▫Mobile▫Challenge▫Learner Profile!▫Ask around and check out

the quotes…

Disadvantages of the IB Diploma• Cost

• Time

• Organization

• Stress

• Academic

pressure

• Not the easy

option!

• Realistic Expectations

• Overload – caution• Extra Curricular

Management • Organization• Need?

Part 4: The Key Question… How will the IB help my child in the university entrance process?

• Click for IB Video

“The IB is well known to us for excellent preparations. Success in an IB program correlates well with success at Harvard. We are always pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma Program on the transcript.”—Marilyn McGrath Lewis, Director of Undergraduate Admission Harvard University

“Send us prepared students a la IB...It is the “best” high school prep curriculum an American school can offer.” —Marilee Jones, Former Director of Undergraduate Admission, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

“One of the advantages of an IB curriculum is its structure and quality. It is a coordinated program, well established, well known and well respected. We know the quality of IB courses, and we think the IB curriculumis terrific.” — Christoph Guttentag, Director of Undergraduate Admission, Duke University

University Quotes… more of the same

• McGill has enthusiastically recruited IB students for over two decades. Even today, when reviewing an application from an IB Diploma candidate our admissions officers can be assured of the candidate’s strong and broad based academic preparation. We have seen that IB students embrace the rigorous academic challenges of university life and perform well in their McGill programmes. As a member of the College and University Recognition Taskforce, I can attest to the respected position of the IB diploma at prestigious universities throughout North America. - Kim Bartlett - Director of Admissions McGill University

• Recent studies on IB Diploma Program graduates in university confirm that they perform well and have significantly higher grade point averages and higher graduation rates than students who did not complete the IB Diploma Program. Scores on IB assessments are also a significant predictor of performance in university. - IBO Higher Education Research Group

Activity…• Sticky notes…

• Questions / concerns… stick them up…

• Answer common ones then others address in Q & A session at the end

Video… Some ISM Advice from 2011

• The student perspective..

Q&A