why do people prefer AP schools to IB?

[Anonymous]

Bottom line: (1) the AP curriculum is generally preferred over IB because it is more flexible; (2) AP schools are preferred in NoVa because they are in higher SES neighborhoods with higher test scores; and (3) there are too many IB high school programs in FCPS, leading to under-enrolled programs and a waste of taxpayer money.

[Anonymous]

IB is the best comprehensive curriculum, and is widely recognized worldwide as the "gold standard" of academic achievement. FCPS should aim to teach students who can compete with others from around the world who are taking IB. The costs are reasonable. IB promotes development of our teachers and students. IB is the future and FCPS should be leading the way in establishing it in all schools. Our community benefits from demanding the best of our schools and providing the best for our students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IB is the best comprehensive curriculum, and is widely recognized worldwide as the "gold standard" of academic achievement. FCPS should aim to teach students who can compete with others from around the world who are taking IB. The costs are reasonable. IB promotes development of our teachers and students. IB is the future and FCPS should be leading the way in establishing it in all schools. Our community benefits from demanding the best of our schools and providing the best for our students.

Thanks for sharing your opinion. I disagree on much of it. I think our AP students are doing just fine, thank you very much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IB is the best comprehensive curriculum, and is widely recognized worldwide as the "gold standard" of academic achievement. FCPS should aim to teach students who can compete with others from around the world who are taking IB. The costs are reasonable. IB promotes development of our teachers and students. IB is the future and FCPS should be leading the way in establishing it in all schools. Our community benefits from demanding the best of our schools and providing the best for our students.

This sounds religious. Not every student can or should get an IB Diploma. And if they're not getting an IB Diploma, then AP makes more sense. I don't know why we have to pick. The students who want an IB Diploma can pursue that. The students who are not interested in that can choose AP.

[Anonymous]

This sounds religious. Not every student can or should get an IB Diploma. And if they're not getting an IB Diploma, then AP makes more sense. I don't know why we have to pick. The students who want an IB Diploma can pursue that. The students who are not interested in that can choose AP.

Unfortunately, it is causing problems within FCPS. It is a disadvantage to kids who do not want to follow the full program and it segregates the kids within the school. This is one of the hypocrisies of the whole thing. The elitists who want their kids to be "open-minded" but don't wish them to be in classes with the less fortunate.

[Anonymous]

IB is trendy and overrated. The IB high schools in FCPS have, with one exception due to geography, declined since IB replaced AP. Not a single AP school in the county wants IB, parents at one school successfully rebelled and got FCPS to restore AP, and FCPS did not make IB the college-prep curriculum at the two high schools it built after the initial wave of AP-to-IB conversions (Westfield and South County). Now it needs to acknowledge how few students at most IB schools participate in the program and terminate IB at the majority of IB high schools in the county. That would give students better options and save money over the long run.

Schools with Top SAT Scores in FCPS (All AP)

TJHSST 2198
Langley 1851
McLean 1821
Madison 1789
Woodson 1755
Oakton 1750

Schools with Most National Merit Semifinalists in FCPS (10 out of 11 are AP)

TJ 145
Langley 11
McLean 11
Madison 8
Marshall 7
Woodson 7
Oakton 6
Centreville 5
Chantilly 5
Lake Braddock 4
Westfield 4

US News Top 10 High Schools in VA from FCPS (All AP)

#1 Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
#2 McLean High School
#3 Langley High School
#4 Oakton High School
#5 Woodson High School
#8 West Springfield High School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IB is trendy and overrated. The IB high schools in FCPS have, with one exception due to geography, declined since IB replaced AP. Not a single AP school in the county wants IB, parents at one school successfully rebelled and got FCPS to restore AP, and FCPS did not make IB the college-prep curriculum at the two high schools it built after the initial wave of AP-to-IB conversions (Westfield and South County). Now it needs to acknowledge how few students at most IB schools participate in the program and terminate IB at the majority of IB high schools in the county. That would give students better options and save money over the long run.

Schools with Top SAT Scores in FCPS (All AP)

TJHSST 2198
Langley 1851
McLean 1821
Madison 1789
Woodson 1755
Oakton 1750

Schools with Most National Merit Semifinalists in FCPS (10 out of 11 are AP)

TJ 145
Langley 11
McLean 11
Madison 8
Marshall 7
Woodson 7
Oakton 6
Centreville 5
Chantilly 5
Lake Braddock 4
Westfield 4

US News Top 10 High Schools in VA from FCPS (All AP)

#1 Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
#2 McLean High School
#3 Langley High School
#4 Oakton High School
#5 Woodson High School
#8 West Springfield High School

Number of kids in IB program? Anyone have this handy?

[Anonymous]

It's telling that the school profiles on the FCPS web site don't disclose the number of IB diploma candidates or recipients at the eight IB high/secondary schools. They don't want you to know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's telling that the school profiles on the FCPS web site don't disclose the number of IB diploma candidates or recipients at the eight IB high/secondary schools. They don't want you to know.

Actually, they do for Robinson. 80 percent of the students who attempt it, get the diploma. That's much higher than the world wide attempt to complete ratio.

I think other schools have this data as well. I seem to recall that the cohorts were smaller, but they had strong success rates.

Personally, I think the program is fantastic. Smaller classes, more individual attention and writing feedback, and actual mentorship. It's a cool program and if a kid is bright enough and hard working enough to complete it, I think kudos.

-Lake Braddock mom who has no kids in IB because she's lazy and doesn't want to drive them, lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IB is trendy and overrated. The IB high schools in FCPS have, with one exception due to geography, declined since IB replaced AP. Not a single AP school in the county wants IB, parents at one school successfully rebelled and got FCPS to restore AP, and FCPS did not make IB the college-prep curriculum at the two high schools it built after the initial wave of AP-to-IB conversions (Westfield and South County). Now it needs to acknowledge how few students at most IB schools participate in the program and terminate IB at the majority of IB high schools in the county. That would give students better options and save money over the long run.

Schools with Top SAT Scores in FCPS (All AP)

TJHSST 2198
Langley 1851
McLean 1821
Madison 1789
Woodson 1755
Oakton 1750

Schools with Most National Merit Semifinalists in FCPS (10 out of 11 are AP)

TJ 145
Langley 11
McLean 11
Madison 8
Marshall 7
Woodson 7
Oakton 6
Centreville 5
Chantilly 5
Lake Braddock 4
Westfield 4

US News Top 10 High Schools in VA from FCPS (All AP)

#1 Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
#2 McLean High School
#3 Langley High School
#4 Oakton High School
#5 Woodson High School
#8 West Springfield High School

A few years ago, someone on DCUM broke the SAT scores down by demographic at each HS. It was quite eye opening. Things aren't always as they seem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Promote IB as the standard - focus on improving outcomes for all as measured against international standards - encourage service and citizenship. This is the Portrait of a Graduate objective.

When the PISA tests have been administered, the highest performing schools were AP high schools. There's too much IB already, as evidenced by the low IB participation and diploma rates at most schools that offer the program.

So, no. They can find another way to satisfy themselves that they've made progress towards achieving their citizenship goals.

PISA is given to freshmen, so the influence of IB or AP is nil.

Ha!! Busted.

Again: you have no way to show that AP schools perform better than IB schools BECAUSE of AP. Adjust for SES, then talk.

No, I think you missed the point. The students (parents) have already selected the high school pyramid. The PISA scores reflect that choice. Yes, SES is a factor. So is AP and IB.

Exactly.

You assume the point you are trying to make, then use it as evidence to prove your point.

Exactly.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I think the program is fantastic. Smaller classes, more individual attention and writing feedback, and actual mentorship. It's a cool program and if a kid is bright enough and hard working enough to complete it, I think kudos.

So, another way we are paying more for IB?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's telling that the school profiles on the FCPS web site don't disclose the number of IB diploma candidates or recipients at the eight IB high/secondary schools. They don't want you to know.

Yes. "They" are keeping the information from you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's telling that the school profiles on the FCPS web site don't disclose the number of IB diploma candidates or recipients at the eight IB high/secondary schools. They don't want you to know.

Yes. "They" are keeping the information from you.

Doesn't tell you the # of diploma candidates or recipients.

Learn to read.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Personally, I think the program is fantastic. Smaller classes, more individual attention and writing feedback, and actual mentorship. It's a cool program and if a kid is bright enough and hard working enough to complete it, I think kudos.

So, another way we are paying more for IB?

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