ACS Egham International SchoolIB Options Information Evening – Nov 2015

Grade 10 – Pathways and Option Choices

• To start the process of choosing which pathway to follow in your final High School years

• To begin the discussion between parents and students of life after school

• To attempt to demystify the IB Diploma, the Courses/Certificates option, the IBCP and the American HS Diploma

• Opening up discussion about your thoughts re our work to continue to improve variety of choice

Apologies – There is a lot of information and…

…DON’T PANIC REMEMBER THIS IS

THE START OF A LONG PROCESS,

AND SHOULD BE…

IB Diploma Around the World – Over 2211 schools• Full IB Diploma 49%,

30% Courses, 1% retakes, 20% Anticipated (one year)

• 56% female, 44% male• 79.3% world pass rate for

Diploma May 2014– Average score of 30.1

• Top Grade 45/45 which only 0.31% (208) of students achieved in May 2014, from 137,330 candidates

Known Advantages of Being an IB Diploma / Courses Student

• Have depth at HL, and Breadth of SL• All speak a Language and have Maths and

English to a high level – which job/career does not need this?

• Consistency – No Grade Inflation…• Global Outlook – appreciation of other cultures• Ability to advance argument and discuss, debate

ideas• Extended programme of experiential learning

• IB Students are independent learners and better prepared for University

• Have research and analytical skills from EE/TOK

• Early Results• GCSE Problems / A Level Problems – Politics!• Number Controls have now been scrapped –

and so continuing expansion, next year 60,000 extra places in UK

• The Wooly but NOT UNIMPORTANT Stuff…

What Degree Did they Get?

Top 20 most popular Universities for IB in UK?

Does the IB Diploma Make it More Difficult…?

Sample University Destinations: Past 3 years

Brighton & Sussex Medical School

Imperial College, LondonKing’s College, LondonLondon School of EconomicsUniversity College, LondonUniversity of BathUniversity of BristolUniversity of EdinburghUniversity of ExeterUniversity of NottinghamUniversity of St AndrewsUniversity of SouthamptonUniversity of Warwick

American UniversityBoston UniversityCollege of William & MaryDartmouth CollegeDuke UniversityElon UniversityFlorida Institute of TechnologyGeorgetown UniversityNew York UniversityPurdue UniversitySwarthmore CollegeSyracuse UniversityUC Los AngelesUniversity of Pennsylvania

McGill UniversityUniversity of Toronto

Erasmus University, RotterdamUniversiteit UtrechtMaastricht University

IE University

ACS Commission - University Admissions Independent Research Each Year...

• Research now in its 11th year – and the evidence is stacking up.

• In UK, the IB Diploma is rated more highly against 9/10 attributes compared with A levels

• The IB Diploma is rated in 9/10 skills more highly compared to Advanced Placement in the states

See Diploma wiki on Forum for links…(and some copies outside)

Please let us not forget the US…

• “88% of IB Diploma Programme graduates achieve a bachelor’s degree within six years of entering University, compared with 58% of all students.” US Census, National Centre for Educational Statistics (NCES)

• “With a Grade point average of 3.11 IB Graduates score 5% higher than their non IB peers after their first year at University.” – University of California

Admission to the Programmes…at ACS Egham• Full IB Diploma

The course aimed at motivated and organised students – high workload - full requirements.

• IB Career-Related ProgrammeMore to follow – from Mrs. Sedlacek…

• Egham HS Diploma / IB CoursesMore flexible still demanding – but students do not need to follow core. Gives time for those students to focus and

achieve.

• Egham HS Diploma OnlyAll students who graduate earn an American High School Diploma. See requirements in guide. Pg 9 +

But Who is it Aimed At…The Academic Elite?

• Differentiates…• Organisation is key…• Commitment…• Study Skills…• Appetite for

Learning…

Basic Structure of the IB DP Programme…

• 6 subjects – 3 Higher Level and 3 Standard Level

• Study Time - 240 hours HL,150 SL

• Can do 4 HL but not recommended

• The Core – Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and Creativity Action Service

Pg 7

Group 1 – Studies in Language and Literature

• Literature (A – best language) – English or other Mother Tongue Language focusing on Literature Study

• Native Languages supported depends on availability of tutors – this year Italian, Danish, Dutch, Indonesian, Norwegian, German and French (Please see restrictions and payment policy – pg 10)

• Possibility of Self Taught at SL

Literature A

- Higher Level

- Standard Level

Pg 10

Group 1 – Studies in Language and Literature

• New programme introduced 3 years ago …combines Literature with study of Language often suited to students who may not be going on to study Law / Politics / History / English as a Major (however…)

• Same level and difficulty as Literature (or in fact…)

• Native Languages supported in some subjects and depends on availability of tutors…

Language and Literature A

- Higher Level

- Standard Level

Pg 10

Group 2 – Second Language Acquisition B

• Second Language (B) – Studied at two levels – English, French, Spanish are our main B subjects.

• Ab Initio - Provided in French, Spanish and German.

• We will support other Language B classes chosen with tutors ( as Group 1 – please see pg. 12)

Language Acquisition B

- Higher Level

- Standard Level

- Ab Initio (also SL)

Pg 11

Note students can take a second Language A also, and receive the Bilingual Diploma

Group 2 – Choice of Second LanguageLanguage Acquisition B – Restrictions

The Languages department will be able to discuss with you the appropriate level for your son/daughter…related to the Phase they are studying in at MYP…

Pg 12

Must provide challenge, central to philosophy…

Group 3 – Individuals and Societies

• Psychology

• Information Technology in a Global Society

• History

• Economics

• Business Management

Choice of Humanities -

All subjects offered at:-

- Standard Level

- Higher Level

Group 4 – Experimental Sciences• Environmental Systems (A

good choice for those less Science orientated) – Only SL

• Biology• Physics (Higher Level should be

taken in combination with at least SL Math)

• Chemistry (note most often taken as a second science in Group 6)

• Design Technology (a more practical base – although demanding on workload)

• Sports and Health Science SL

Choice of Science -

Most subjects offered at:

- Higher Level- Standard Level

Group 5 – Choice of Mathematics• Myth of Math Studies – has

large statistics element• Higher Level is difficult and

according to many discussions pitched above ‘A’ Level

• Math department will be able to discuss with you the appropriate level for your son/daughter

• Continued improvements in Grade 10 - have led to courses being set as preparation for Diploma

Mathematics

- Higher Level

- Standard Level

- Studies (also Standard Level)

Most importantly what level of Math's do you need to enter your chosen University course?

Group 6 – Choice of Arts/ Elective

• Visual Arts• Theatre Studies (All Internal

Assessment)• Music (Offered if enough

students)• Choose Elective from Group

3 or 4 usually

(Note Chemistry in this block as most often chosen by students with another science. Often Economics/Psychology from Group 3 chosen with History in

Group 6 for example.)

Expressive Arts

All subjects offered at:- Higher Level- Standard Level

Think …

…Planning your Course of Study

It is not possible to offer all subject combinations due to student numbers and schedule limitations. The options available to students in the last academic year are shown above.

It is likely that this year’s option sheet will be similar.

Please see Appendix for Curriculum Overview of Each Subject

Statistically the single most important thing to ensure a

student’s success in the IB is choosing the correct pathway, alongside options and subjects

that suit their abilities and enthusiasms so…

• Ability Vs. Work Ethic – choose what you do well?• Interests – all research suggests…• What do Universities want?• Teacher – Yikes?• My friends are doing it…YUK!• Traditional vs Creative …• “I want to be an engineer?”• “I want to be a doctor?”• Appearance of rigour / over Higher grades? – US• Are languages important? – UK / US• Maximise grades – so called “easy” subjects

Pamoja and IB Course Online Option…

Please see Appendix for Curriculum Overview of Each Subject

Subjects now offered…

Will discuss these if students are interested during Option Interviews.

The Core: Creativity – Action - Service• C – Jazz Group, Young Enterprise,

Debating Club, Photography, Art, Music performance, Drama or Theatre projects, Entertainment at children’s home and Yearbook

• A – Hiking expeditions, Inter-School Sporting Activities, Environmental Projects, Extra-curricular sporting activities and Peer coaching in sport.

• S – Peer mentoring or tutoring, Clothes collection, Environmental projects, Nepal Iniative, Student Council, GOSH, Dementia Support, Volunteering at an orphanage, StreetINvest.

It is not about hours it is about the commitment

and the reflection!

Pg 21

Extended Essay…• Independent focused research topic• Skills needed – Creative Critical

Thinking, Research and Communication, Systematic Process of Research, Appropriate knowledge from specific subject

• Max of 4000 words• Most popular are Group 3 subjects

– however often the best Extended Essays come from Science or Maths

• If students get an E it is a failing condition

Pg 19

Example Questions in Guide :-“To what extent are the security methodologies and technologies being used by HSBC and Bank Nagara Malaysia effective in guaranteeing the safety and security between banks and clients when banking online.” - ITGS

Theory of Knowledge…TOK is not a philosophy course/ it is simply about the question “How do we know what we know?” Holistically brings together programme.

• Assessed – one 1200 to 1600 word essay which is externally assessed

• Internally assessed presentation• If students get an E it is a failing

condition

“To what extent is truth different in mathematics, in the arts and ethics?”

How is it Examined…• Coursework from 36% – 10%

(Apart from Visual Arts and Theatre where it is 100%)

• ‘Synoptic’ Exams

• 2 Year Programme

• Each subject out of 7

• 3 points for EE +TOK

• TOTAL = 45

Assessment and Grading…

• Combination of assessments for learning styles

• Internal Assessment - orals, projects, student portfolios, class presentations, practical laboratory work etc

• External Assessment – exams, essays etc

Passing Conditions: -• 24+ is a Pass• 33+ is Good• 40+ is Excellent

• No 2’s at HL – need minimum of 12 points from HL

• 1 E = fail• 8 more conditions – see pg 27 for

conditions

Pg 25

Let Us Not Forget…

IB Learner Profile – Diploma Takeover…

Resilience - Organisation

Any Questions so far?

HOWEVER the IB Diploma is not the only way!Please see Appendix for Curriculum Overview of Each Subject • Each student is different

• The most important element is that each student has a successful experience in High School

• Not all students need or want to do the Full IB Diploma for a number of reasons

• The IBCP or the Courses programmes combined with the American HS Diploma can be as good, if not a better stepping stone to life after ACS Egham

During the Pathways / Options process we will strongly recommend the pathway that we believe best suits the student

• Alternative to the IBDP• Allows students to specialise in, and focus on, a

particular career-related pathway leading to higher education

• Provides a more “hands on”, experiential learning approach

• Develops a student’s passion• Enables students to reach their full potential• Bridges the academic/practical ‘divide’

(IBCP)

IBCP Framework

Four-part framework designed to comprehensively link tailored, career-focused instruction with the

academic challenge of the Diploma Programme and the international-mindedness of the IB.

1. Career-related program (BTEC)2. DP courses3. Core4. Partnership with industry

Core• Personal & Professional Skills

– Intended to develop students’ critical thinking, intercultural understanding, effective communication, and applied ethics

• Service Learning– Service learning related to career pathway

• Reflective Project– In-depth research paper analysing an issue relevant to the

career-related topic

• Language Development– Development of a second language– No exams

DP Courses• Must study at least two (up to three) Diploma

Programme courses

• May be studied at standard or higher level

• Can come from any of the subject groups in the IB Diploma Programme

• Choice of DP course creates flexibility– Complement career-related pathway according to interest– Change level of rigor of IBCP– Match with university entrance requirements

IBCP with American HS Diploma Pathway

DP Course Options - 2 or 3 courses(SL or HL based on student choice and ability)

First course from Group 1—English

Second course from Group 5 – Math Alternatively, math can be taken just for High School credit for one year or two years, especially if student is planning on attending an American University

Third course from Group 3 or 6 (See page 11 of the options booklet for a list of classes in Groups 3 and 6. Course selection also will depend on scheduling availability.) **Alternatively, this course could be the second IB Diploma course if the student chooses to only take Math for HS credit

IBCP Only PathwayDP Course Options - 2 or 3 courses

(SL or HL based on student choice and ability)

First course from Group 1—English

Second & Third course, any course from 3, 5 or 6 (See page 11 of the options booklet for a list of classes in these groups. Course selection also will depend on scheduling availability.)  (Note: this option is only viable for students planning

to attend a UK or European university)

Career-related Programme• BTEC Level 3

– Applied learning brand– Equivalent to A levels

• Mandatory units and optional units• Tailor the optional units to student interest• Assessments

– Internal– Small external assessments (some tasks, some have a

test)– Application of acquired knowledge to a real-life situation– External verification

Career-related Programme

Based on initial student interest, we are considering offering the following BTEC Level 3 Nationals at Diploma Level as the career related options:

1. BTEC Business2. BTEC Art and Design3. BTEC Performing Arts4. BTEC Sport & Exercise Science

What is it?

• BTEC has been engaging learners in practical, interpersonal and thinking skills for over 30 years.

• BTECs are work-related qualifications for learners taking their first steps into employment, progressing through their careers or planning to enter university.

Art &

Des

ign

Busin

ess

Perfo

rmin

g Ar

ts

Spor

t & E

xerc

ise

Scie

nce

Work Experience Partnership

• Partner with organisations in a related career field

• Integrated with the IBCP programme• Provide experiential learning• Provide practical experience

Example IBCP Programme• Career-related programme: Sport and Exercise Science• DP Courses:

– Language & Literature (SL or HL)– Biology (SL or HL)– Psychology (SL or HL)

• Core:– ATL– Community and Service– Reflective Project– Language

• Work experience partnership:– Surrey Human Performance Centre (Surrey Sports Park)– Kingston Human Performance & Biomechanics Lab (Kingston

University)– St Mary's University & Loughborough University – Practical lab and

field testing

IBCP vs IBDPIBCP IBDP

“Traditional” courseworkAt least 2 DP

coursesEither SL or HL

6 DP courses: 3 at HL and 3 at SL

Career-focused coursework BTEC Career-related programme

Experiential learning Industry work experience

Language“Development” of second language

Portfolio, no exams2 yearsExams

AssessmentInternal

assessments in the form of assignments

Internal examsExternal exams at

end of 2 yearsDevelopment of critical thinking ATL TOKIndependent Research Reflective Project Extended EssayDevelopment of civic responsibility and personal growth

Community and Service CAS

University Recognition of IBCP

• Recognised by OFQUAL and UCAS• Equivalent to 2 A levels• Possible to earn up to 540 tariff points by taking a

BTEC Diploma and 2 HL DP courses

• ~ Equivalent to 37 Diploma points (out of 45)

UK Universities That Have Accepted IBCP

Students• Bournemouth• Brunel• Kingston University• University of the Arts, London• University of Brighton• University of Hull• University of Kent• University of Portsmouth• University of Reading

This is a sample – a full list is available on the table outside

UK Universities That Recognise the IBCP as an Entrance Requirement:

• City• Edinburgh Napier• Queen Mary’s, University of London• Royal Holloway

This is a sample – a full list is available on the table outside

European Universities That Recognise the IBCP as an Entrance Requirement:

• Ecole Hoteliere Lausanne, Switzerland• European University, Munich• John Cabot, Rome• American University of Rome• American University of Paris

This is a sample – a full list is available on the table outside

US Universities That Have Accepted IBCP

Students

University Avg GPA Avg SATGeorgia Tech 3.83 2096

Grinnell 3.88 2063Missouri State 3.51 1700

Rhode Island School of Design 3.64 1929St. Olaf College 3.66 1874

University of Georgia 3.64 1964University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 3.68 2019

University of Iowa 3.41 1869University of Maryland (College Park) 3.48 1905

University of Minnesota 3.63 1999University of Oregon 3.48 1810

• All US universities accept high school diploma/IBCP• Selectivity varies based on GPA and course requirements• In particular:

This is a sample – a full list is available on the table outside

So Why Choose the IBCP?Because it:• Combines career-focused courses with DP courses• Benefits students who are passionate about a

subject and want hands-on, focused study with integrated work experience

• Still has a “core” focus as well, universities like this• Provides a pathway to US, UK, and European

universities• Is FLEXIBLE!

Also note:• Students will be in classes with their peers – not

isolated

What does set Egham apart?

• Collegiality – International cohort• Teachers – are highly experienced and care• Campus and Facilities – including the Diploma Centre • College Counseling experience both in the US and UK• Guidance Counselor support for students • We believe in the HOLISTIC nature of the IB – and the

core is the CORE• All students whichever pathway are treated equally, in

the same classes and building…• Student Services provide specialised support,experience

of IB students and needs – including Study Skills• Proven track record of getting students from a wide level

of abilities to achieve & attain excellent Uni placements

AND OF COURSE THE ACADEMICS…

• Read guide carefully and discuss options• Listen to teachers advice• Enquire about the programme / pathways• Start thinking about careers• Speak to Grade 11/12 students – they do not bite!• Meet informally with College Counselor• Take Tests (PSATS etc.)• Speak to your Mr. Perkins or Mrs. Sedlacek – and

hand in your Choice form by December 7th

• 1-to-1 interviews will take place on 1st to 3rd February

Remember to use the Diploma Forum site – www.ibegham.wikispaces.com

Next Steps…

…please Ma and Pa let me make the decisions it is my future you

know!

Time for Action and Decisions…

Any Questions?