Reply to Practical differences between AP and IB in FCPS?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]You all are still bickering and I’m not sure OP
has even come back.  [/quote]

🤣 OP here. I've been reading but this thread is...a lot

I'm not sure what else to ask other than: why do people keep mentioning the inability to do IB and take extra curriculars. I'm big on the idea that kids should have well rounded school experiences. Is the extra coursework in IB problems so great that kids can't have outside activities. That doesn't sound like a great trade off but I could be misunderstanding.[/quote]

Most AP parents know very little about IB and resort to criticizing it. I haven't read every single comment here but from quickly skimming the thread I didn't see any mention of the IB Program's built-in CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) project.

The CAS project is a requirement for the IB Diploma existing precisely for kids to explore extracurriculars of interest at a broad level. They create a documented portfolio of experiences during junior and senior years as they engage in activities across three categories. As you can see CAS is quite flexible to meet the needs of any type of kid - Creative/artistic, Activity/athletic, or Service/community involvement. Culminating in a long-term, open-ended project of their choosing.

Of course, as with anything, kids get out of it what they put in. Some anti-IB folks will call this kind of thing fluff and a waste of time. I've seen some excellent projects and some low-effort ones. But if taken seriously, it's a great opportunity for kids to accomplish something meaningful to them and goes beyond grades and academics.[/quote]

There is nothing like turning the joy and freedom of an extracurricular activity, and turning it into a giant, regimented, graded writing assignment.

On what planet is that considered a great idea?[/quote]

Sorry but that's very much an attitude and perspective issue on your part. CAS is simply an opportunity to document a passion project ([i]if[/i]a kid has one - admittedly not all kids do) while being given support, networking, and mentorship resources through the school as needed.

As said previously, kids get what they put in. Most kids will see it as a chore and do fluff for it. That's fine, it's an easy way out anyway. But some kids seize it and accomplish significant service for their community, and they're the ones rewarded with acceptance to the Ivies. I've seen Habitat for Humanity abroad, getting involved at the Smithsonian museums, and a musical performance set up for a community event where they first tutored young kids how to play their instruments.

Not everything should be interpreted as an annoying assignment just to check the box. With that attitude, doesn't matter if it's AP or IB or college or work, you'll just be looking to check boxes in everything you do.[/quote]

In both cases the IB program has nothing to do with the substance of the activity. The first one only happens because of Habitat for Humanity. The musical performance is the result of investing time in an actual extracurricular.

The IB part is just checking the box, these students would do it regardless, and there’s nothing that IB does to support them in their extracurriculars. Then you’re turning around and claim the credit for CAS. Seems quite dishonest to me. Curious to know where your perspective comes from, you don’t seem to be a student or a parent so maybe an administrator? That would explain the shameless plug.[/quote]

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