To IB or not to IB ... That is the question

emeraldkity4
Sat, 23 Sep 2006 22:59:03 +0000

Would it not be better to use financial resources where they can help the most students?
I would agree with you- but this is what I see happening.
Our district has two schools( out of 100 K-12, one brand new to the IB program) with IB.
They aren’t widely known, and so don’t have the draw that my daughters school with the most AP classes- nationally known music programs and award winning student newspaper does.

There are other district schools that have better buildings with equal community resources for a less challenging student population, but the support from administration for AP is not as strong, as hence the class offerings aren’t as strong either.

IB- seems to have an external structure in place that mandates the way the classes are run- yes much less flexibility, but it sounds like the students and parents would know more what to expect.

If they entered a school that had AP classes one year, but only half the classes the next year, as is likely depending on teacher assignments, they might get frustrated and change to IB or even leave the district.

When principals may stay at the most 4 years or even less in a school, its hard to know what to count on, but if a school has made a commitment to IB, in terms of training, and facility remodeling, they aren’t going to just drop the program lightly.