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Types of
Curricula

The International

Baccalaureate’s (IB)

Programmes

Stefanie Leong, Head
of Development and
Recognition, Asia
he International Baccalaureate’s (IB)
philosophy is ‘education for a better world’ Pacific, International
Tthrough the development and implementation
of challenging programmes of international Baccalaureate (IB)
education and rigorous assessment. The IB aims tells us more about the part of the assessment for several programme well as offering an international perspective, the IB’s
to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring benefits of pursuing an areas, including the theory of knowledge (TOK) curriculum frameworks are designed so that they
young people who help to create a better and more essay and the extended essay (EE). can easily run alongside, and support, the state or
peaceful world through intercultural understanding IB programme. national curriculum of the country of their delivery,
and respect. The IB provides a holistic education that • The Career-related Programme (CP) for students and can be tailored to a school’s local context.
encourages students to excel not only in their studies aged 16 to 19, is a framework that incorporates
but also in their personal growth. the values of the IB into a unique programme The quality of an IB education is internationally well
• MYP eAssessment: The MYP offers optional addressing the needs of students interested in recognised with thousands of leading universities
IB Programmes at a Glance external assessment with its eAssessment, an career-related education. The programme blends around the globe holding the IB in high esteem
Each of the four IB programmes provides a detailed innovative on-screen examination. Using rich academic subjects and practical learning and and accept many DP applicants every year and
and developmentally appropriate curriculum or multimedia and interactive tools, the on-screen leads to further/higher education, apprenticeships research-based evidence overwhelmingly indicates
curriculum framework that is broad, balanced, assessment provides a single assessment that or employment. Students combine the study that studying the DP prepares students to thrive at
conceptual and connected. evaluates the full range of MYP teaching and of DP courses with career-related studies and university. The breadth and depth of learning that the
learning outcomes and applies a rigorous quality the elements of the CP core. This programme DP facilitates provide students with a solid academic
• The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is for model to ensure fairness and reliability. Exter- is therefore ideal for students who have already foundation for their future studies, as well as
students aged three to 12. Providing an inquiry- nally moderated, the MYP eAssessment leads to determined which career they want to pursue and preparing students as independent learners. Studying
based learning environment, the PYP prepares the internationally recognised IB MYP certificate wish to engage in career-related learning. The DP the DP better prepares students for university by
students to become active, caring, lifelong learners and IB MYP course results. subjects are assessed by written examinations enabling them to keep their options open, studying a
who demonstrate respect for themselves and while the CP core components are assessed wider range of subjects at a higher level than is required
others and have the capacity to participate in • The Diploma Programme (DP) for students internally by the school. in other curricula. Importantly, the DP also encourages
the world around them. Students explore six aged 16 to 19, aims to develop students who independent learning, curiosity, effective time management
transdisciplinary themes of global significance: have excellent breadth and depth of knowledge – Advantages of an IB Education and presentation techniques – all essential life skills that are
who we are, where we are in place and time, how students who progress physically, intellectually, IB programmes differ from other curricula because highly valued by university admissions teams, as they allow
we express ourselves, how the world works, how emotionally and ethically. It is divided into six they focus on not just academic rigor, but on students to ‘hit the ground running’ when they begin
we organise ourselves, and sharing the planet. subject groups which are studied over two years, developing young people as ‘whole learners’ who are their undergraduate studies.
these groups are language and literature, language inquiring, knowledgeable, caring and motivated to
• The Middle Years Programme (MYP) for acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, succeed. It is not just about teaching and learning An IB education is designed to prepare students
students aged 11 to 16, provides a framework mathematics, and the arts. These subjects are to gain top grades in exams; its programmes are to thrive in the modern world. Through a unique
of learning that encourages students to become in addition to three further requirements of the curricula with added value. The international- curriculum with high academic standards, it
creative, critical and reflective thinkers. The MYP DP core which are designed to prepare students mindedness element which permeates all IB champions critical thinking and flexibility of learning
emphasises intellectual challenge, encouraging for university and life beyond. The DP uses both programmes ensures that innovative and creative by crossing disciplinary, cultural and national
students to make practical connections between internally and externally assessed components to educators, from across a multitude of different boundaries. In these ways, the IB serves to empower
their studies and the real world. There are assess student performance. For most courses, cultures, contribute to its ongoing development, the youth of today and equip them to become the
eight subjects, with an overarching curriculum written examinations at the end of the DP form with each programme being regularly reviewed thinkers, innovators and engineers of tomorrow, ready
framework of three different elements: approaches the basis of the assessment. This is because against the findings of new research. An IB education to solve society’s most pressing challenges and build
to learning; key and related concepts; and these examinations have high levels of objectivity works within a global context, which means that a better, more sustainable world, for all.
independent learning projects in which students and reliability. Externally assessed coursework, the programmes increase students’ understanding
are required to complete a significant piece of work completed by students over an extended period of languages and cultures, teaching them how to For more information on the IB and its programmes,
over a period of time. under authenticated teacher supervision, forms explore ideas and issues of global significance. As please visit www.ibo.org

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