Reply to Robinson dumping AP classes and focusing on IB

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'm a Robinson parent and hate the IB program. I wish that Robinson would get with the program and just do AP like the other, higher ranked schools. IB serves zero purpose and is detriment to RSS kids trying to get into colleges.

We bought a house in this district because it was what we could afford at the time. I did not choose RSS for IB. It was forced on us. Can we move? No, that's an unrealistic option at this time. I also don't want to ship my kids out to LB just for APs and kill their school day.

IB is a sad option, and I wish they would poll parents on this topic because I don't know many that actually want this waste of time for the kids. [/quote]

Wait why do you hate IB? I thought writing and reading are supposed to be challenging and rigorous. Are the math/science classes not up to par? I'm confused what you mean about calling it a waste of time for the kids.. is it because there are too many requirements to obtain the diploma, like the TOK class?[/quote]

Calculus-based physics is not offered.  IB math does not integrate well with taking calculus junior year.  IB limits students students to taking 3-4 HL classes, when the very top students would be capable of taking all 6 subjects HL (and with AP, they could take a full AP course load across all subjects).[/quote]

So is IB less stressful, without as much of the rat race of racking up AP classes? I don’t need my child to take 10+ AP classes, but it seems like that’s what is required if they want to go to a top tier college. [/quote]

Parents of IB diploma kids are always emphasizing that the diploma program is at least as rigorous as 10-12 AP classes, except when someone asks if taking a lot of AP classes is a "rat race" or "pressure cooker."  Then they are nowhere to be found.  [/quote]

?[/quote]

Maybe this wasn't artfully phrased.

To restate - why don't people worry as much over whether the IB diploma program is as stressful as taking a lot of AP courses?  Is it less rigorous, or do people just not like to acknowledge the IB diploma program can also be a rat race or pressure cooker?  [/quote]

I'm a parent of one child who earned the IB diploma and another one who is a current senior and is pursuing the diploma.  You know why more students don't do the diploma?  Because it's a rat race and pressure cooker.  Students in IB high schools see how much work the full diploma is, and decide they don't want the pressure and work.  I am a huge fan of doing the full IB diploma.  I believe it is an excellent prep for college level work and really sets students up to succeed once they get into college.  But it is not for every student - you have to really want to do all of the requirements and it is a very structured program that doesn't allow much flexibility.  I especially HATE how FCPS has implemented the IB program.  If I were in charge, I would have 2-3 magnet IB high schools in the county and put AP into the other 22 high schools and really increase the amount of dual enrollment courses offered in the high FARMS high schools.[/quote]

Could you please run the school board?[/quote]

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