{"id":238832,"date":"2022-12-22T19:22:27","date_gmt":"2022-12-22T19:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buoyantbloomer.com\/?p=238832"},"modified":"2023-01-03T21:22:44","modified_gmt":"2023-01-03T21:22:44","slug":"international-baccalaureate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buoyantbloomer.com\/international-baccalaureate\/","title":{"rendered":"Why international baccalaureate programs are more legitimate than G&T programs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

To become an international baccalaureate program is no small feat, and district level recognition as NYC’s district 13 is attempting is even more complicated to pull off. The reason is that the International Baccalaureate Organization has a years-long authorization process<\/a> that schools must undertake complete with verification visits before a decision is rendered. I noted that there are 8 IB elementary school programs<\/a> in NYC which is such a small number when you consider how many private and public schools exist to serve the nearly one million students living in the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compared to gifted and talented programs<\/a> which any school district can decide to stand up and implement in a wide variety of ways (6 to be exact), the international baccalaureate programs carry the weight of independent assessment and ongoing program evaluation which happens every five years. Clearing the hurdle of becoming an IB program is already an accomplishment in and of itself, the quinquennial review process is what I find fascinating (and in fact, I wish it were triennial to shorten the time to remediation if issues are raised). Let’s take a look at the authorization process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phase 1: Consideration phase (D13 complete)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The school compares the IB\u2019s expectations with the school\u2019s current situation to determine the tasks that will need to be completed to implement the program. At the end of the consideration phase, the school will be able to make an informed decision on whether to apply to become an IB World School (IBWS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the school decides to start the authorization process, it has to complete several professional development activities during this phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phase Two: Request for candidacy phase (D13 complete)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The school gathers the information needed to complete the school profile and \u201cApplication for candidacy\u201d, and by assembling the requested supporting documents. Schools submit their application package, the IBO issues a response to the application, and it provides a decision on candidacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are no additional PD requirements relating to the request for candidacy phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phase Three: Candidacy (D13 in progress)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The school takes the actions necessary to meet the IBO\u2019s requirements for authorization. These activities include but are not limited to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n