International Baccalaureate Organization Mission Statement The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end, the International Baccalaureate Organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
The International Baccalaureate Organization The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) offers a Diploma Programme for students in their final two years of secondary school. Korah s two-year Enhanced Learning Programme prepares students for the Diploma Programme. The IBO is a charter foundation under the Swiss Civil Code with headquarters in Geneva. It is a private, non-governmental organization recognized by the Council of Europe and has consultative status with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization). As described in the mission statement, the organization s academic programmes aim to awaken the intelligence of young people and teach them to relate the classroom curriculum to the realities of the world outside. Comprehensive and balanced curricula, coupled with challenging assessments, have established the IBO as a unique institution in the field of international education. Beyond the intellectual rigour and high academic standards that are the organization s hallmark, strong emphasis is placed on the ideals of international understanding and responsible citizenship. The desired profile of the IB student is one of a critical and compassionate thinker, an informed participant in local and world affairs who values the shared humanity that binds all people together, while respecting the variety of cultures and attitudes that heightens the richness of life. As a membership organization, the IBO provides curriculum and assessment development, teacher training and information seminars, electronic networking, and other educational services to participating schools around the world. Diploma Programme The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a rigorous pre-university course, leading to examinations, which meet the needs of highly motivated secondary school students between the ages of 16 and 19 years. Designed as a comprehensive two-year curriculum that allows its graduates to fulfill requirements of various national education systems, the diploma model is based on the pattern of no single country, but incorporates the best elements of many. The programme is available in English, French, and Spanish. 1
Unique Characteristics The Programme offers special features in addition to the traditional strengths of a liberal arts curriculum: Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a required interdisciplinary course intended to stimulate critical reflection upon the knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom. TOK challenges students to question the bases of knowledge, to be aware of subjective and ideological biases, and to develop a personal mode of thought based on analysis of evidence expressed in rational argument. The key element in the IBO s educational philosophy, Theory of Knowledge, seeks to develop a coherent approach to learning, which transcends and unifies the academic subjects and encourages appreciation of other cultural perspectives. In keeping with the goal of educating the whole person and fostering a more compassionate citizen, Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) is a fundamental requirement of the Diploma curriculum. The CAS requirement emphasizes the importance of life outside the world of scholarship, providing a refreshing counterbalance to the academic selfabsorption some students may feel within a demanding school programme. Participation in arts productions, sports, and community service activities encourages young people to share their energies and special talents while developing awareness, concern, and the ability to work co-operatively with others. Diploma candidates are required to undertake original research and write an Extended Essay of some 4000 words. This project offers the opportunity to investigate a topic of special interest and acquaints students with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected at university. There are currently 57 subjects, including 36 in the Languages area, in which the essay may be written. 2
Korah Collegiate & Vocational School s International Baccalaureate Programme 3
Assessing Student Work The grading system used by the International Baccalaureate Organization is criterion-referenced. This means that each student s performance is measured against well-defined levels of achievement consistent from one examination session to the next. Validity, reliability, and fairness are the watchwords of the IBO s international examining board. Responsibility for all academic judgments about the quality of candidates work rests with more than 5000 examiners worldwide, led by chief examiners with international authority. A variety of assessment methods is used to evaluate both the content and the process of academic achievement and to take into account different learning styles and cultural patterns. Conventional external examination techniques (essay, short answer, multiple choice, etc.) are complemented by internal assessment of course work by the teachers responsible for evaluating students over the two-year period. With classroom teachers and international examiners working in partnership, the emphasis is on ensuring that students have ample opportunity to demonstrate what they know and are able to do. The Diploma Programme Curriculum The diploma is displayed in the shape of a hexagon with six academic areas surrounding the core. Students are exposed to the two great traditions of learning - the humanities and the sciences. Diploma candidates are required to select one subject from each of the six subject groups. At least three and not more than four are taken at the higher level (HL), the others at the subsidiary or standard level (SL). HL courses represent over 240 teaching hours, SL courses over 150 hours. Through course selection, students are able to explore some subjects in depth and some more broadly over the two-year period. This is a deliberate compromise between the early specialization preferred in some national systems and the breadth found in others. Distribution requirements ensure that the science-oriented student is challenged to learn a foreign language, and that the natural linguist becomes familiar with laboratory procedures. While overall balance is maintained, flexibility in choosing a concentration allows the student to pursue areas of personal interest and to meet special requirements for university entrance. 4
Awarding of the Diploma Each examined subject is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum). The awarding of the Diploma requires students to meet defined standards and conditions, including a minimum total of 24 points and the satisfactory completion of the EXTENDED ESSAY, THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE course, and CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) activities. The maximum score of 45 points includes three bonus points for a combination of an exceptional Extended Essay and work in TOK. Authorization and Eligibility Only schools authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization are eligible to teach the curriculum and to register candidates for examination. IB Diploma candidates must be students in good standing at an authorized school. University Recognition IB Diploma holders gain admission to select universities throughout the world. Formal agreements exist between the IBO and many ministries of education and private institutions. Many North American colleges and universities offer special scholarships, advanced placement, or course credit to students with strong IB examination results. For a complete list of these and their entrance policies refer to the www.ibo.org website. The Grades 9 and 10 Enhanced Learning Programme The Grades 9 and 10 Enhanced Learning Programme is designed to prepare students for entry into the International Baccalaureate Programme. These courses cover the Ontario curriculum as well as provide enrichment in content and skill development. The pace of learning and homework load is higher than the corresponding course at the regular level. Successful students will demonstrate maturity, responsibility, and sound work habits. In Grade 11, upon meeting established criteria, students begin the IB Programme. 5
Grade 9 English French Canadian Geography Healthy Active Living Education Creativity, Action, Service Introduction to Information Technology in Business Science Mathematics Music Or Art Grade 10 English French Canadian History Civics/ Career Studies Creativity, Action, Service Grade 11 Mathematics Science Music, Computer Science, Or Elective Grade 10 Mathematics 6