IB - NOT the Way to Go

[Chris_Wendt]

Read about this on Patch (hyperlink)

IB = International Baccalaureate programs are an emerging fad in public & non-public education. I recommend reading this article, but more importantly the comments, particularly those of Frank DiGeorge.

Happy reading,

Chris Wendt

[lilly]

Chris, is this like full day Kind is a fad? Sorry, couldn't resist that one.

Frank DiGeorge is a bit of an extremist. People with extremist tendencies lose credibility with me. Among his claims are IB is anti-Judeo and anti-Christian. I think one of his links said IB was anti-American (since it started as an education program for kids of diplomats, it must be anti-American) and cult-like in modeling respect for the environment. Also, a lot of the links on his page were several years old and it's not like the education world is supposed to remain stagnant. Maybe there was a little fear of the unknown in those opinion pieces.

So, as I'm learning in this town, discussion and observations may be perceived as knocks against someone or something, as opposed to take it for what is is, just discussion or observations.... To be clear....

I am not necessarily pro-IB but think it should be rigorously explored for Wantagh. It emphasizes critical thinking as opposed to teaching to tests. Many colleges perceive it as more prestigious and rigorous than AP. And by explored, I don't mean for budget only, falling on a priority list somewhere way below funding a full sports program. It should be explored from an educational perspective.

Carol Burns of Rockville Centre made a presentation to LI educators earlier this year. RVC is mandating IB HS English for all kids. They've adapted IB throughout the grades, not just HS level. RVC is also a big proponent of detracking and full inclusion - and the district does very well, a bit better than Wantagh. (Wantagh only made a nod at "detracking" by unbundling the math/science honors tracking, what a year ago? In the old system, kids either made it into math/science honors track in 7th grade or had to wait until 11th to take more challenging classes. That was incredibly unfortunate! And although improved, we still have lots of problems with perceptions of special ed in Wantagh, maybe since we aren't all that inclusive.)

And I am sure there are glitches & complaints in RVC but as Carol Burns says in this presentation, "The best curriculum you have should be the curriculum for everyone." RVC has aligned the curric based on IB from elementary on up. Resource room, support and general ed teachers are all teaching to the new Common Core, using IB. Consequently, there is one chart in the presentation that ties in how RVC, already a great performer in state tests improved the # of 4 scores in MS math since IB has been used. I would much rather have kids learning critical thinking through IB with improved state test performance a by-product of that, vs. teaching to the state tests.

I would have attached the presentation but proboards says it is too large. Email or PM me if you want it.