Anonymous wrote:I think the kids transferring into IB schools generally do it only if the IB school has a higher socioeconomic level than their home school.

Complete B.S.

Where is the common sense in this school system? Is the IB really value for dollars spent? I don't think so.

Anonymous wrote:The school I teach at is becoming IB MYP. It is so much money, so much time, and so much effort...for something that doesn't seem to have a lot of value at the end of the day. It's really the same way we've already been teaching, but now all our lessons have to be in "IB format" and approved by our IB coordinator/IB mentor school person.

Do you teach at a middle school?

The school I teach at is becoming IB MYP. It is so much money, so much time, and so much effort...for something that doesn't seem to have a lot of value at the end of the day. It's really the same way we've already been teaching, but now all our lessons have to be in "IB format" and approved by our IB coordinator/IB mentor school person.

Do they publish the pupil placement stats anymore? FCPS used to do that.

I think the kids transferring into IB schools generally do it only if the IB school has a higher socioeconomic level than their home school.

Agree on the AP over IB although if kids can't transfer I wonder if neighborhoods would become even more segregated.

Anonymous wrote:
Remember, the IB programs were put into schools that were not doing well, so people wanted to leave them. Many of those IB schools are now thriving and drawing bright kids from other schools specifically for the full IB.

Really? Schools like Annandale, Lee and Mount Vernon have IB and more students transferring out than transferring in. If those schools were AP, they'd have more kids, since kids at Annandale would no longer have the option of transferring to Woodson for AP, kids at Lee couldn't transfer to West Springfield for AP, and kids at Mount Vernon couldn't transfer to West Potomac for AP. The IB schools that are "thriving" may be doing so in spite of IB, not because of it.

Anonymous wrote:The IB program also costs FCPS far more than the AP program. It requires an IB coordinator. It is not worth the extra expense in these times.

Nor are the countless hours and evaluators involved in separating AAP students from General Ed, fielding appeals, etc. when many if not most of those children could be educated at their base schools. I'd start there if we're looking to cut costs. Then we could get rid of all the AARTs and hire more teachers for smaller classes. Plenty of money being thrown away there as well.

Remember, the IB programs were put into schools that were not doing well, so people wanted to leave them. Many of those IB schools are now thriving and drawing bright kids from other schools specifically for the full IB.

The IB program also costs FCPS far more than the AP program. It requires an IB coordinator. It is not worth the extra expense in these times.

Given how few students at local IB schools get IB diplomas, you should be more amazed at why parents at those schools don't see the value. The AP kids do just fine. One of the benefits of living in a free society is that we get to express our views on how our tax dollars are spent. Many around here think money is being wasted on IB programs that could be spent for other, more deserving purposes, such as hiring more teachers.
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AP program is far more flexible and kids get credit for taking even one AP class. The IB program really only benefits those who get the diploma.

Years ago, I taught first grade. We started with our own community and branched out. The basic Social Studies program was that "everyone needs food, clothing, and shelter". Then we taught about food, clothing, and shelter around the world.

Funny, my kids learned a lot about Egypt in elementary school. The only year they spent on American History that I recall was fourth grade which taught Virginia History.

Anonymous wrote:Because IB haters -- and those who fear the program because they don't get it and think it is somehow anti-American -- abound and will use any excuse to attack it.

All I know is that admissions officers at elite colleges have been very impressed that my son is doing an IB diploma, as we have. I'm constantly amazed that folks around here who claim to be happy with their kids doing AP feel such a need to tear IB down. Can only assume they fear IB kids are getting something there's aren't.

Given how few students at local IB schools get IB diplomas, you should be more amazed at why parents at those schools don't see the value. The AP kids do just fine. One of the benefits of living in a free society is that we get to express our views on how our tax dollars are spent. Many around here think money is being wasted on IB programs that could be spent for other, more deserving purposes, such as hiring more teachers.

Anonymous wrote:Freshman and sophomore years both require World History. My kids' AP school taught AP World History starting at sophomore year.

PP here. As I have said, the 'IB' program here is crap and is stressful(busy work) without needing to be. The AP system here more closely represents the IB program that my kids were in at a top prep school overseas.