Fact Sheet

Title: International Baccalaureate Program

\[footnote 1: This fact sheet on International Baccalaureate was
prepared under contract for the U.S. Department of Education by DTI
Associates, Inc. (DTI) and the Community College Research Center,
Teachers College, Columbia University (CCRC). The purpose of this fact
sheet, and others related to this project, is to give a broad overview
and description of the types of programs that the Accelerating Student
Success project is studying. For more information on the Accelerating
Student Success study, please see the study\'s webpage on the U.S.
Department of Education\'s website at:
<http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/cclo/cbtrans/index.html>.\]

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program, administered by the
International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), is an example of a
comprehensive credit-based transition program. High school students take
most of their courses within the program; and as a result, their entire
junior and senior years are characterized by the rigorous academic
expectations of the IB program.

\[footnote 2: For more detailed information regarding the International
Baccalaureate program, please visit the IBO\'s website at:
[www.ibo.org](http://www.ibo.org/).\]

\[footnote 3: Comprehensive credit-based transition programs provide
students with academic preparation, exposure to rigorous coursework
through multiple college-level courses, and the ability to earn college
credit.\]

The IB program allows students to take college-level classes, possibly
earning college credit upon successful completion of exams during the
11th and 12th grade years. Courses taken before the 11th and 12th grade
years are classified as Pre-IB classes. The IB program has six core
academic subject areas: English, second languages, experimental
sciences, arts, mathematics, and individuals and societies. In addition
to taking classes and exams in the six academic subject areas, students
must perform community service, write a 4,000 word essay, and take a
Theory of Knowledge class.

After students take their IB courses during the junior and senior years,
they can choose to take exams in either all or several of their
subjects. The exams are developed, administered, and graded by the IBO
and are graded on an internationally standard assessment scale of 1-7.
If students take exams in all their subjects, receive satisfactory
scores and complete the community service, essay and Theory of Knowledge
components, students receive an IB diploma. If students do not choose to
pursue an IB diploma, they will receive certificates for each IB exam
they do take and successfully pass. Colleges and universities set their
own policies regarding credit for successful completion of IB exams.

The IBO is an international organization that oversees the various
components of the IB program including: curriculum guidelines, exams,
professional development, and standards for exam review. All IB classes
are taught by high school teachers who are specially trained by the IBO
and its regional offices. The curriculum is specially designed for all
IB classes, and is constructed through a standard international revision
and writing process.

The IB program provides high school students the opportunity to take a
rigorous and articulated sequence of classes for which they may earn
college credit upon successful completion of IB exams, but the program
does not generally focus on preparing students for the social and
behavioral demands of college life.

\[footnote 4: Articulated courses generally entail students taking a
series of classes in a specific academic/technical area over several
semesters, while building their skills\]

Chart: At-a-Glance

\* Location of Program: High School

\* Student Mix: High School Only

\* Instructor: High School

\* Course Content: Specially Designed Curriculum

\* How Credits are Earned: Through completion of IB exam in subject area

\* Degree of Intensity: High