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

xiggi
Sun, 24 Sep 2006 14:31:40 +0000

“I have been thinking. Because of its language component allowing for a bilingual diploma, I think it would be great for the borderlands to look into this program.”

Overseas, that is a good point. However, it gets back to the issue of competent faculty. In a city such as El Paso, 75 to 80% of the population is of hispanic origin, but one issue that is plaguing the area is the explosion of pochos, citizens who do not speak English or Spanish properly. There are a merits to a bilingual education–as well as many problems–and you’re correct that the IB program might work well, especially if there is a strong component of quality control and faculty training involved. For the record, schools in Texas are recruiting heavily in Mexico for SPanish speaking experienced teachers. The salaries offered at roughly 6 to 7 times what they earn in Mexico. The expansion of the program is great as English teachers can focus on English, and REAL Spanish teachers can teach Spanish. There is hope that Texas might be able to separate itself from this bunch of quasi-teachers who are unable to pass the competency tests in either language. Well, we know that there is a HUGE and well-organized barrier to hope and the pursuit of quality.