With the creation by the Advanced Placement Program of an AP International Diploma, issued for the first time in 1995 to students at international schools who met certain requirements, international recognition of the AP should increase significantly. O ne question that arises is whether the International Baccalaureate is more acceptable than the Advanced Placement certificate for university entrance. Universities in France, Germany and other nations have been very reluctant to accept candidates with the International Baccalaureate. The IB is acceptable to many American universities, but the AP is far better known and more acceptable to the great majority of them. I f an international school has neither program in place and wants to choose the program best suited to meet its own needs, it should weigh the merits and demerits of each program.
Cost is one factor in deciding which program to adopt.
Only a large secondary school can normally afford to offer both programs. A dditional teaching staff are frequently needed to operate the IB program, especially in the early years when the program is getting started, and sometimes additional teacher and student time. At one international school which offers a good IB program, teachers must teach Saturday morning classes on a rotating basis to satisfy course requirements and students in the IB program must attend them. This requirement is not wildly popular with either students or teachers, and it might not be at other schools. It must not be assumed that the additional enrollment will be forthcoming, however, especially where elite state schools offer a superior secondary education to brighter children at public expense.