IB Diploma Programme(2)

Assessment and awards

All subjects (with the exception of CAS) are assessed using both internal and external assessors. The externally assessed examinations are given worldwide in May (usually for Northern Hemisphere schools) and in November (usually for Southern Hemisphere schools). Each exam usually consists of two or three papers, generally written on the same or successive weekdays.The different papers may have different forms of questions, or they may focus on different areas of the subject syllabus. For example, in Chemistry SL, paper 1 has multiple choice questions, paper 2 has extended response questions, and paper 3 focuses on the "Option(s)" selected by the teacher. The grading of all external assessments is done by independent examiners appointed by the IB.

The nature of the internal assessment (IA) varies by subject. There may be oral presentations (used in languages), practical work (in experimental sciences and performing arts), or written works. Internal assessment accounts for 20 to 50 percent of the mark awarded for each subject and is marked by a teacher in the school. A sample of at least five per subject at each level will also be graded by a moderator appointed by the IB, in a process called external moderation of internal assessment.

Points are awarded from 1 to 7. Up to three additional points are awarded depending on the grades achieved in the extended essay and theory of knowledge, so the maximum possible point total in the IBDP is 45.The global pass rate for the IB diploma is approximately 80%.In order to receive an IB diploma, candidates must receive a minimum of 24 points or an average of four out of a possible seven points for six subjects. Candidates must also receive a minimum of 12 points from their Higher Level subjects and a minimum of 9 points from their Standard Level subjects. Additionally, candidates must complete all of the requirements for the EE, CAS and TOK. Failing conditions that will prevent a student from being awarded a diploma, regardless of points received, are non-completion of CAS, more than three scores of 3 or below, not meeting the specific points required for Higher Level or Standard Level subjects, or plagiarism.

Candidates who successfully complete all the requirements of the IB Diploma Programme and one or more of the following combinations are eligible to receive a bilingual diploma: two languages A1, a language A1 taken with a language A2, a group 3 or 4 subject taken in a language other than the candidate's language A1, or an extended essay in a group 3 or group 4 subject written in a language other than the candidate's language A1.IB certificates are issued to indicate completion of diploma courses and exams for non-diploma candidate students.

Special circumstances

Where standard assessment conditions could put a student with special educational needs at a disadvantage, special arrangements may be authorized. TheCandidates with Special Assessment Needs publication contains information regarding procedures and arrangements for students with special needs.

Application and authorization

To offer the IB Diploma Programme, an institution must go through an application process, and during that period the teachers undergo training in the IB. At the end of the application process, IB conducts an authorization visit.Once a school is authorized to offer the IBDP, an annual fee guarantees the school ongoing support from the IB, the ability to display the IB logo and access to the Online Curriculum Centre (OCC) and the IB Information System (IBIS).The OCC provides information, resources and support for IB teachers and coordinators. IBIS is a database used by IB coordinators.Other IB fees also include student registration and individual Diploma subject examination fees.

University recognition

IB diploma is recognized in 75 countries at over 2000 universities, and the IB has a search directory on their website, although they advise students to check directly with each university for the recognition policy.The IB also maintains a list of universities offering scholarships to IBDP graduates under conditions specified by each higher education institution.The following is an overview of university recognition policies in various countries.

For the purposes of university admissions in Austria, the IB diploma is considered a foreign secondary school leaving certificate, even if the IB school issuing the diploma is located in the country. The admission decisions are at the discretion of the higher education institutions.In France, the IBDP is one of the foreign diplomas which allow students access into French universities.Germany sets certain conditions for the IB diploma to be validated (a foreign language at minimum A2 Standard Level, Mathematics standard level minimum, and at least one Science or Mathematics at Higher Level).German International Baccalaureate students in some schools are able to earn a 'bilingual diploma' which gains them access to German universities; half of the classes in this programme are held in German.The Italian Ministry of Education (Miur) recognises the IB diploma as academically equivalent to the national diploma, provided the curriculum includes the Italian language and the particular IB programme is recognized for H.E.D. marticulation in Italy.Spainrecognizes the IB diploma as academically equivalent to "Titulo de bachillerato español". Starting June 1, 2008, IB Diploma holders no longer need to pass the University Entrance Examination to be admitted to Spanish Universities.Turkish universities recognize the IB diploma but all applicants are required by law to take the university entrance examinations.According to the IB, there are two universities in Russia that officially recognise the IB diploma subject to certain guidelines. The Russian Ministry of Education considers the IB diploma issued by state-accredited IB schools in Russia equivalent to the certificate of secondary (complete) general education (attestat).In the United Kingdom, UCAS publishes a University entrance tariff table that converts IB and other qualifications into standardised "Tariff points"but this tariff is not binding,so institutions are free to set minimum entry requirements for IB candidates that are not the same as those for A level.

Although every university in Australia recognizes the IB diploma, entry criteria differ between universities. Some universities accept students on their IB point count, while others require the points to be converted and in most states this is based on the Equivalent National Tertiary Entry Rank (ENTER).In Queensland, IBDP scores are converted to a QTAC scale to determine selection rank.

In the United States, institutions of higher education set their own admission and credit policies for IB diploma recognition.Colorado and Texas have legislation requiring universities to adopt and implement policy which awards college credit to students who have successfully completed the IBDP.InCanada, IB North America publishes a IB Recognition Policy Summary for Canadian Universities.Peruvian universities do not officially recognize the IB Diploma. However, the Ministry of Education may grant partial equivalence to national diploma to students who have satisfactorily completed the fourth year of high school in the country.

In Hong Kong, IB diploma students may apply to universities as non-JUPAS (Joint University Programmes Admissions System.Currently the People's Republic of China does not formally recognize the IB diploma for university qualification.In the 2008–2009 prospectus in Singapore, the National University of Singapore (NUS) recognises the IBDP as a high school qualification for Singapore universities. University requirements are as follows: 3 HL subjects with scores of 5 or better, 2 SL subjects with scores of 4 or better, and a grade of 4 or better in English A, Standard Level.In India, the Association of Indian Universities recognises the IBDP as an entry qualification to all universities in India provided that the applicants include a document from the IB detailing percentage equivalency and specific course requirements for admission to medical and engineering programs are satisfied.

Reception

The IBDP was described as "a rigorous, off-the-shelf curriculum recognized by universities around the world” when it was featured in the December 10, 2006 edition of Time magazine titled How to bring our schools out of the 20th Century.The IBDP was also featured in the summer 2002 edition of American Educator, where Robert Rothman described it as "a good example of an effective, instructionally sound, exam-based system."Howard Gardner, a professor of educational psychology at Harvard University, said that the IBDP curriculum is "less parochial than most American efforts" and helps students "think critically, synthesize knowledge, reflect on their own thought processes and get their feet wet in interdisciplinary thinking."An admissions officer atBrown University claims the IBDP garners widespread respect.

In the United Kingdom, the IBDP is "regarded as more academically challenging and broader than three or four A-levels" according to an article in theGuardian.In 2006, government ministers provided funding so that "every local authority in England could have at least one centre offering sixth-formers the chance to do the IB."In 2008, then Children's Secretary Ed Balls abandoned a "flagship Tony Blair pledge to allow children in all areas to study IB." Fears of a "two-tier" education system further dividing education between the rich and the poor emerged as the growth in IB is driven by private schools and sixth-form colleges.

In the United States, criticism of the IBDP has centered around the claim by opponents to the program that it is anti-American, according to The New York Times. Early funding from UNESCO, and the organization's ties to the United Nations are cited as objectionable. The cost of the program is also considered to be too high.One school district in Pittsburgh in the United States attempted to eliminate the IBDP based on political objections.In Utah, funding for the IB was reduced after State Senator Margaret Dayton objected to the program which she considered anti-American by promoting values of the United Nations, although she later stated that she regretted her choice of words.