IB Program- What is it? IB or AP?

[Anonymous]

They are both the same. You can even take ib classes without a diploma track. In the past colleges took ap over ib credits but now they are the same one for one.

[Anonymous]

And if Fairfax Co. is looking for ways to save money, scrapping IB would be a great way to do it.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are both the same. You can even take ib classes without a diploma track. In the past colleges took ap over ib credits but now they are the same one for one.

If they are the same, why would OP bother pupil placing out of Langley to Marshall for IB? I assume that's her situation, since kids who pupil place out of Marshall for AP don't go to Langley, but to Madison, McLean or Falls Church.

[Anonymous]

They're both great. The main difference is that IB is a program and AP is a-la-carte classes, so IB tends to create a cohort of kids that are like a school within a school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
[Up]

IB is a wonderful program if implemented correctly. But it takes resources and time to do so - hiring qualified teachers, training, and such. Another key difference is IB is a structured PROGRAM (vs. AP's course specific approach) meaning students have to take certain courses/meet certain criteria. People who do not understand the IB view this as "rigid" or "not very flexible"...etc. IB is goal is to produce well-rounded students.

The problem is schools are jumping into IB without proper planning, resources, or understanding. It's not the program that's problematic, it's the implementation.

It seems to me that the advanced diploma offered at AP schools shares the goal of producing well-rounded students. This concept is hardly unique to IB, but, of course, it would be just like the IB boosters to try to suggest that it is. PP, you make it sound as if students at AP-based schools can take whatever they like, and the fact is, there are specific requirements: a specific amount of math, science, foreign language, etc. to produce a well-rounded student.

As for IB implementation, I think there are plenty of highly qualified teachers in this area. However, it's pretty impossible to install the IB program here the way it is in Europe. American schools are not organized by grades 4-8 and 10-12 like the IB program is. There are also SOLs (or Common Core) requirements that need to be met by American schools that can be at odds with IB goals. This is not the fault of any individual American state or school district. The IBO seems all too happy to take the money of the U.S. school systems, but not at all willing to make changes to its program that would make it easier for U.S. schools to implement it.

As a result, IB programs are a waste of money for U.S. schools. And if Fairfax Co. is looking for ways to save money, scrapping IB would be a great way to do it.

Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They're both great. The main difference is that IB is a program and AP is a-la-carte classes, so IB tends to create a cohort of kids that are like a school within a school.

It seems circular, since the prior post was emphasizing that you can take IB courses a la carte, too. It seems like it would be more like a school within a school if you were all-in (full diploma program) or all-out (relegated to non-IB classes).

[Anonymous]

I keep seeing that IB hurts college acceptance chances because US schools don't understand it. That isn't necessarily true. I am also looking at IB for DS, also rising 8th and was surprised at how much higher the acceptance rate is fir IB a diploma candidates at selective colleges: http://www.fcps.edu/RobinsonSS/ib-program/pdf/info-night-2014.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing that IB hurts college acceptance chances because US schools don't understand it. That isn't necessarily true. I am also looking at IB for DS, also rising 8th and was surprised at how much higher the acceptance rate is fir IB a diploma candidates at selective colleges: http://www.fcps.edu/RobinsonSS/ib-program/pdf/info-night-2014.pdf

This was true 10 years ago. A lot has changed last 10 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing that IB hurts college acceptance chances because US schools don't understand it. That isn't necessarily true. I am also looking at IB for DS, also rising 8th and was surprised at how much higher the acceptance rate is fir IB a diploma candidates at selective colleges: http://www.fcps.edu/RobinsonSS/ib-program/pdf/info-night-2014.pdf

U.S. schools understand IB now. But the information in the IB deck is comparing the acceptance rate for IB diploma candidates against the admissions rate for all applicants to various schools, not the applicants taking a fair number of AP courses. I think people in this area, with its strong schools, often don't realize how many schools across the country don't have either AP or IB. It's one reason why local schools tend to do well in US News rankings and on the Washington Post "Challenge Index."

If you simply compared lists of schools that graduating seniors at Langley and Marshall were attending, the Langley list would look more impressive, but a lot of that has to do with the demographics of the two schools and the ability of more Langley parents to afford highly ranked, but expensive, private and out-of-state schools.

[Anonymous]

I have a suspicion that the poster who pupil placed to Marshall for IB dis so to avoid Falls Church HS. Am I right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a suspicion that the poster who pupil placed to Marshall for IB dis so to avoid Falls Church HS. Am I right?

A lot of people do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a suspicion that the poster who pupil placed to Marshall for IB dis so to avoid Falls Church HS. Am I right?

Whether that particular poster did or not, Marshall gets pupil placements every year from Langley, McLean, Madison and Falls Church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing that IB hurts college acceptance chances because US schools don't understand it. That isn't necessarily true. I am also looking at IB for DS, also rising 8th and was surprised at how much higher the acceptance rate is fir IB a diploma candidates at selective colleges: http://www.fcps.edu/RobinsonSS/ib-program/pdf/info-night-2014.pdf

This was true 10 years ago. A lot has changed last 10 years.

Like US selective colleges colleges understood IB 10 years ago, and have now forgotten?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do not go to an IB school. The whole program is smoke and mirrors. The supposed "IB philosophy" is nothing more than best practices for teaching, and the same methods are widely used at other non-IB schools. The grading system is ridiculous, biased against American students, and is likely to pull down your GPA. AP schools have many more choices, and their value is well-understood by American colleges.

The only advantage to an IB diploma is for the student who plans to study in Europe after high school, or in Canada. In those universities, IB credits are easily transferable.

This is completely incorrect information, obviously written by someone who doesn't understand the IB program with an axe to grind. Look up the IB program explanations on the Fairfax website, or better yet, attend an information night at the IB high school near you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep seeing that IB hurts college acceptance chances because US schools don't understand it. That isn't necessarily true. I am also looking at IB for DS, also rising 8th and was surprised at how much higher the acceptance rate is fir IB a diploma candidates at selective colleges: http://www.fcps.edu/RobinsonSS/ib-program/pdf/info-night-2014.pdf

This was true 10 years ago. A lot has changed last 10 years.

Like US selective colleges colleges understood IB 10 years ago, and have now forgotten?

?? What?