S/o (VA public schools). IB and college preparedness

[Anonymous]

I haven't bothered to read all of this and this thread may have digressed into some ffx county specifics, but I want to hash out a critical difference my dc experienced as an ib student who also took some ap courses. fwiw we are not in fairfax county but we are in va. friends have asked us this question often so I have come to be semi-knowledgeable on the topic.

I believe that ib provides a higher level of college preparation because the testing requires more critical thinking and application of knowledge. of course, this is just the test not the classes themselves, but in our experience level of prep by the teacher was commensurate with the challenge of the exam. Let's take two examples of the written exams. First you have ap us history. The test has a multiple choice section and 2 or 3 essays. the essays are something like "list three acts imposed on the american colonies by the british and their effects" or "describe two social movements of the 1960s-70s in terms of their causes and effects." On the other hand the ib history essay questions require more abstract thinking and making a more nuanced argument. For example, the european history question might go something like "was the cause of ww1 primiarily nationalism, economics, or the alliance system?" or "how has warfare changed in the 20th century?" The difference, as I see it, is in the level of reasoning and application required to answer the questions. I believe a young person is best prepared for college with the latter style of examination/teaching philosophy if it is applied well.

[Anonymous]

I believe that ib provides a higher level of college preparation because the testing requires more critical thinking and application of knowledge. of course, this is just the test not the classes themselves, but in our experience level of prep by the teacher was commensurate with the challenge of the exam. Let's take two examples of the written exams. First you have ap us history. The test has a multiple choice section and 2 or 3 essays. the essays are something like "list three acts imposed on the american colonies by the british and their effects" or "describe two social movements of the 1960s-70s in terms of their causes and effects." On the other hand the ib history essay questions require more abstract thinking and making a more nuanced argument. For example, the european history question might go something like "was the cause of ww1 primiarily nationalism, economics, or the alliance system?" or "how has warfare changed in the 20th century?" The difference, as I see it, is in the level of reasoning and application required to answer the questions. I believe a young person is best prepared for college with the latter style of examination/teaching philosophy if it is applied well.

Gee, here is an example of an AP US History essay that DS had:

"Discuss the education of women between the American Revolution and the Civil War. "

I am not sure of the exact wording or what the caveats were--but I suspect it required a lot more than just facts. Not only that, but at least in the case of my DC, the teachers had them practice writing essays weekly. That was one of the most important aspects of the class.

[Anonymous]

DC's HL IB exam took 14 full pages of writing. DC also took AP exam too but, at least for my DC, it was MUCH simpler and shorter analysis/writing than HL IB exam. Still got a 5. Waiting on IB score. One data point.

[Anonymous]

DC's HL IB exam took 14 full pages of writing. DC also took AP exam too but, at least for my DC, it was MUCH simpler and shorter analysis/writing than HL IB exam. Still got a 5. Waiting on IB score. One data point.

Yes. One data point. A very expensive one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

DC's HL IB exam took 14 full pages of writing. DC also took AP exam too but, at least for my DC, it was MUCH simpler and shorter analysis/writing than HL IB exam. Still got a 5. Waiting on IB score. One data point.

Yes. One data point. A very expensive one.

Not for us.

[Anonymous]

https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-united-states-history/about-the-exam


AP US History requires an hour and a half of essay. I guess you could fill up fourteen pages with that, too.

[Anonymous]

Yes. One data point. A very expensive one.







Not for us.

Unless you are in private, the taxpayer is footing the bill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven't bothered to read all of this and this thread may have digressed into some ffx county specifics, but I want to hash out a critical difference my dc experienced as an ib student who also took some ap courses. fwiw we are not in fairfax county but we are in va. friends have asked us this question often so I have come to be semi-knowledgeable on the topic.

I believe that ib provides a higher level of college preparation because the testing requires more critical thinking and application of knowledge. of course, this is just the test not the classes themselves, but in our experience level of prep by the teacher was commensurate with the challenge of the exam. Let's take two examples of the written exams. First you have ap us history. The test has a multiple choice section and 2 or 3 essays. the essays are something like "list three acts imposed on the american colonies by the british and their effects" or "describe two social movements of the 1960s-70s in terms of their causes and effects." On the other hand the ib history essay questions require more abstract thinking and making a more nuanced argument. For example, the european history question might go something like "was the cause of ww1 primiarily nationalism, economics, or the alliance system?" or "how has warfare changed in the 20th century?" The difference, as I see it, is in the level of reasoning and application required to answer the questions. I believe a young person is best prepared for college with the latter style of examination/teaching philosophy if it is applied well.

While the IB questions might sound more nuanced as you articulated them, you can bet the kids have still been prepped to respond to the questions as phrased. I recall a few years ago that IB kids at one school were joking about an IB exam questions that dealt with Cuba, and they knew exactly what they needed to say about the good things that Castro had done to appeal to the IB exam readers, who mostly reside outside the U.S.

Also, here's are some examples of AP US History essay questions, which are not as simplistic as you implied:

"a) Briefly explain why ONE of the following periods best represents the beginning of a democracy in the United States. Provide at least ONE piece of evidence from the period to support your explanation.
• Rise of political parties in the 1790s
• Development of voluntary organizations to promote social reforms between the 1820s and the 1840s
• Emergence of the Democrats and the Whigs as political parties in the 1830s
b) Briefly explain why ONE of the other options is not as persuasive as the one you chose."

"2. Evaluate the extent to which trans-Atlantic interactions from 1600 to 1763 contributed to maintaining
continuity as well as fostering change in labor systems in the British North American colonies."

The accompanying directions were as follows:

"• State a relevant thesis that directly addresses all parts of the question.
• Support your argument with evidence, using specific examples.
• Apply historical thinking skills as directed by the question.
• Synthesize the elements above into a persuasive essay that extends your argument, connects
it to a different historical context, or connects it to a different category of analysis."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. One data point. A very expensive one.







Not for us.

Unless you are in private, the taxpayer is footing the bill.

Tax payers pay for public education, what's new about that?

[Anonymous]

Yes. One data point. A very expensive one.







Not for us.


Unless you are in private, the taxpayer is footing the bill.

Tax payers pay for public education, what's new about that?

PP said that IB was not more expensive for "us"...........taxpayers are footing the bill for IB if it is not private.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Yes. One data point. A very expensive one.







Not for us.


Unless you are in private, the taxpayer is footing the bill.

Tax payers pay for public education, what's new about that?

PP said that IB was not more expensive for "us"...........taxpayers are footing the bill for IB if it is not private.

taxpayers are footing the bill for all public education including, but not limited to, IB. having kids in IB program hasn't cost my family any more or any less... yes, we are in public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

taxpayers are footing the bill for all public education including, but not limited to, IB. having kids in IB program hasn't cost my family any more or any less... yes, we are in public.

It may cost you more, but the effect is indirect - more kids in IB results in higher expenses for the school system, which eventually does impact local tax rates to fund the schools and other services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

taxpayers are footing the bill for all public education including, but not limited to, IB. having kids in IB program hasn't cost my family any more or any less... yes, we are in public.

It may cost you more, but the effect is indirect - more kids in IB results in higher expenses for the school system, which eventually does impact local tax rates to fund the schools and other services.

It's money well spent. Worth every penny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

taxpayers are footing the bill for all public education including, but not limited to, IB. having kids in IB program hasn't cost my family any more or any less... yes, we are in public.

It may cost you more, but the effect is indirect - more kids in IB results in higher expenses for the school system, which eventually does impact local tax rates to fund the schools and other services.

It's money well spent. Worth every penny.

Others would beg to differ (or have to beg for other resources, because money gets spent on IB).

[Anonymous]

It's money well spent. Worth every penny.

Others would beg to differ (or have to beg for other resources, because money gets spent on IB).

And that's fine. We don't always have to agree. One size doesn't fit all.