Much has been written about the benefits of the International Baccalaureate Programme. Advocates claim that it is inquiry-based, student centered; that it emphasizes critical thinking skills, and that it is an education program recognized around the world. Critics point to the fact that there is no empirical evidence that supports any claim of superiority to locally generated curriculum and pedagogy. They say that inquiry based education, critical thinking skills and student centered learning is 21st century education speak and standard procedure for quality instructors across the country. There are three levels of IB in our schools. IB in the high school competes with the popular, American born, AP program. How do they compare? Both cater to the advanced and gifted students and claim that they offer students an opportunity to acquire college credit for good performance on final examinations. How do the colleges view IB certificates as compared with AP credentials? How easy is it to offer IB classes and the IB Diploma Programme? How expensive is the programme? IB in the Middle (MYP) and Elementary Schools (PYP) are, according to IBO, designed to be all inclusive, ie not gifted programs. According to IBO, the curriculum for these programmes is locally generated. The IBO claims that the difference is in the instructional methodology. And yet there is no substantive evidence that IB classrooms are different than any other quality classroom anywhere in the world. But we challenge our reader to decide for themselves. For your information, we have gathered here documents to help draw your own conclusions: Is IB superior, or is it just a well articulated and well marketed and costly set of teaching methodologies easily replicated by any good teacher?
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