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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]
1) IB - why is it important to you - in your own words...not the IB website's/brochures/classroom posters words.

2) How frequently do you suspect parental involvement in significant/award winning school projects? (Honest question here, because the son of a guy who tried to cheat off me in high school won a national prize at 16 that seems suspiciously related to his dad's PhD.)

3) What fraction of your classes interest you, vs. "you have to take it".

Thanks.  And feel free to stick around!  
[/quote]

hi! not op but i can answer, there's a lot of high schoolers on here LOL

1-- I really love the class choice and freedom. The style of classes/examinations is also pretty conducive to learning to me vs. AP, but that varies from person to person; I appreciate the IB's method of learn a few specific case studies, the theories behind them, and then apply that theory to the overall field. I'm specifically thinking of IB History in that regard, but it's true of basically every class you get to take, whereas the corresponding AP courses are pretty intensely based in rote memorization and regurgitation.

2-- I actually don't think I have ever sat down and thought, "wow, I bet your parents did that project." maybe I'm simply not observant, but honestly, the majority of people in my classes are pretty capable students who choose project topics that interest them. so I guess all in all, I have enough faith in their academics to say that I think there's a pretty low rate of parent homework influence, though I'm sure there is some.

3-- almost all of my classes are ones I take because they interest me. save for the MCPS requirements in math and english (read: the fact that you have to take one of said classes for each year of high school), I've gotten a very high degree of choice in my courseload. IB offers so many specialized electives that fulfill their group requirements that there's more or less something for everyone. you can take english literature/multidisciplinary english (langlit), african/european history, electives like philosophy/anthropology/economics, any number of different levels of spanish/french/mandarin, and quite a few other course options across all subject areas. one of my favorite features of the IB is the level of choice offered in your classes, I think the program offers far more academic choice than the average high school.

hope this helps! sorry in advance to the people who will inevitably be angry that I'm posting on here, I guess![/quote]

How do you know the AP classes are based on I tense rote memorization and regurgitation? That seems like a very strong statement.[/quote]

I'm a grown-ass adult not in RMIB but the answer to this question is simple. If you had a child at RM, you'd know it too:

IB students typically take some AP classes, especially in 9th and 10th grade when there's more room in their schedules. They know because they took the tests. [/quote]

I’m another parent that saw my kid studying for 6 different APs.  It varies of course but there is a ton of rote memorization for a lot of APs, particularly in the humanities.  Anyone who has a kid who took AP Us  Gov can tell you about the concept cards and US history is even worse with the memorization of particular terms and dates.  We were drowning in index flash cards.  This is a very common criticism of the AP program.[/quote]

If your child’s go to method of studying is rote memorization for an AP course, that a far cry from claiming that all AP tests are based on intense rote memorization and regurgitation. Even math, science, English and history classes? That sounds like a typical teen exaggeration. A little strange that “we were drowning on index cards”. That’s being overtly involved in your teens history class. Even more strange that you are responding for the teenagers in this thread.

[/quote]

NP but seems strange you are (checks notes) defending the College Board and AP tests.

Also don’t get all the people who are hostile to the HS students on this thread. Do you not consider your 17 yo to be a person with opinions and experiences worth engaging with? (If so I feel a little sorry for you and your kid.)[/quote]
+1 dp

I think this is how/why a lot of IB students are able to self study for AP exams; there's so much memorization involved.  DC has a really good memory and was able to self study for a lot of these exams and get 5s.  There is some overlap in content with AP and IB, however, and that of course helps, too.

IMO, the AP defender is really an IB hater who insists that AP is better and more rigorous than IB.  IDK.. maybe that PP's kid didn't get into IB or something and feels the need to slam it every chance they get.

FWIW, my other DC is not in IB but taking some AP and IB classes.[/quote]

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