International Baccalaureate (IB) By: Chloe Bailey
International Baccalaureate (IB) schools were created to educate the children of diplomats with knowledge to lead them to follow in those footsteps as well. Over the years, IB programs have become accessible on a wider scale. Chicago currently has 13 schools with the IB curriculum in place. The idea of more schools opening up to the IB program gives a false sense of equity to the students and parents. The International Baccalaureate program uses high standard selection to appeal exclusively to the upper-middle class, compromising excellence in education of others.
The geographical placement of the schools has a large effect of accessibility of the highly-acclaimed education. Recently, five schools have been considered for becoming wall-to-wall IB programs, meaning the curriculum will be fully IB based. High schools such as Lincoln Park and Roberto Clemente have been top candidates for the Programme. Several of the considered IB high schools are located in gentrified neighborhoods. A gentrified area is simply “the arrival of wealthier people in an existing urban district”(PBS). Once the wealthy move into an area, advanced education and public services follow to make the neighborhood more appealing to the middle class. The arrangement of the IB schools across Chicago reflect mainly in the wealthier neighborhoods, giving the lower class a disadvantage to receive the rigorous IB education.
The students enrolled in IB are given an education past what CPS graduation requirements demand. Not only does the Diploma Programme require its pupils to take the six core classes, they also believe in three additional studies: extended essay, theory of knowledge, and creativity, action and service. These are provided to “broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills”(IBO). The separation in curriculums show how students in different schools, although being a part of CPS altogether, earn unalike educational programs.
The IB programs are well-known for strict selection of students. The program is thought to "select students on several factors and weed out those unlikely to succeed"(Chicago Sun-Times). This way, only students who have been fortunate to receive a good education prior to high school have access. IB branches out into four programmes, CPS high-schools focus on the Diploma Programme. The Diploma Programme assesses a student through a point system. Upon finishing, students will take written examinations and must receive 24 points or higher combined to be awarded their diploma.
By going above and beyond the typical curriculum, some students gain education that others could only wish for. When districts branch out their schooling systems, some are pushed forward and onto a more hopeful career while the rest get stuck not given the opportunity to test their knowledge or abilities. The IB programs that are trying to make their way through high schools in Chicago are only breaking apart the students within them, and leaving a large chunk of Chicago children behind in education.
Works Cited:
The geographical placement of the schools has a large effect of accessibility of the highly-acclaimed education. Recently, five schools have been considered for becoming wall-to-wall IB programs, meaning the curriculum will be fully IB based. High schools such as Lincoln Park and Roberto Clemente have been top candidates for the Programme. Several of the considered IB high schools are located in gentrified neighborhoods. A gentrified area is simply “the arrival of wealthier people in an existing urban district”(PBS). Once the wealthy move into an area, advanced education and public services follow to make the neighborhood more appealing to the middle class. The arrangement of the IB schools across Chicago reflect mainly in the wealthier neighborhoods, giving the lower class a disadvantage to receive the rigorous IB education.
The students enrolled in IB are given an education past what CPS graduation requirements demand. Not only does the Diploma Programme require its pupils to take the six core classes, they also believe in three additional studies: extended essay, theory of knowledge, and creativity, action and service. These are provided to “broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills”(IBO). The separation in curriculums show how students in different schools, although being a part of CPS altogether, earn unalike educational programs.
The IB programs are well-known for strict selection of students. The program is thought to "select students on several factors and weed out those unlikely to succeed"(Chicago Sun-Times). This way, only students who have been fortunate to receive a good education prior to high school have access. IB branches out into four programmes, CPS high-schools focus on the Diploma Programme. The Diploma Programme assesses a student through a point system. Upon finishing, students will take written examinations and must receive 24 points or higher combined to be awarded their diploma.
By going above and beyond the typical curriculum, some students gain education that others could only wish for. When districts branch out their schooling systems, some are pushed forward and onto a more hopeful career while the rest get stuck not given the opportunity to test their knowledge or abilities. The IB programs that are trying to make their way through high schools in Chicago are only breaking apart the students within them, and leaving a large chunk of Chicago children behind in education.
Works Cited:
- Fran , Spielman. "CPS expanding successful international diploma program." Chicago Sun Times 25 04 2012, n. pag. Web. 2 Mar. 2014. <http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/11485529-418/cps-expanding-successfull-ib-program.html>.
- Chicago Public Schools. Office of Access and Enrollment.IB Diploma Programme. Chicago: , Print.<http://cpsmagnet.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=87448&&termREC_ID=&pREC_ID=165451>.
- PBS. POV. What is Gentrification?. Chicago: , Print. <http://www.pbs.org/pov/flagwars/special_gentrification.php>.
- "Diploma Programme curriculum framework." IB Diploma Programme curriculum. Web. 3 Mar. 2014. <Fran , Spielman. "CPS expanding successful international diploma program." Chicago Sun Times 25 04 2012, Web. 2 Mar. 2014. <http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/11485529-418/cps-expanding-successfull-ib-program.html>