Purpose
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP) is a comprehensive and rigorous two-year curriculum, leading to examinations for high school pupils.
The IB program provides professional development funding to high schools and middle schools to encourage them to offer pupils the intensive, rigorous course of instruction leading to IB Diplomas. By law, eligibility for IB grants is limited to those schools with IB programs authorized by the IB Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Successful IB candidates are typically granted substantial advanced placement credit at the finest universities and colleges in the nation.
California state funding provides a financial incentive for schools to develop and operate an IB authorized program.
Program/Services
The passage of AB 2363 in 1998 marked the first time that state funding became available for the IB Program. The legislation specified that funds be used to cover the ongoing costs of professional development required by the IB DP. This legislation was amended in 2001 by AB 842 to permit grant funds also to be used for IB student test fees and to expand grant funding to include the IB Middle Years Program (MYP).
Outcomes
The objectives of the IB program are to provide pupils with a balanced education, to facilitate geographic and cultural mobility, and to promote international understanding through a shared academic experience. Students who participate in the full diploma program pursue a specific, intensive, balanced liberal arts course of study which includes a critical thinking class, a minimum of 150 hours of participation in extracurricular activities and community services and a research paper or 4000 words. Students also must pass rigorous examinations in seven curricula areas. In 1999 IB students took 5,379 exams. That number has increased to 9,937 exams in 2004, 11,236 exams in 2005, and 13,198 exams in 2006.Funding
State funding for the IB Program consists of annual grant awards of up to $25,000 to authorized IB DP and up to $15,000 for authorized MYP in California’s public schools.
Funding priorities in the event of a funding shortfall as well as grant amounts are specified in law, and as such are not subject to a competitive application process.
Due to funding shortfalls, California was unable to fund 12 newly authorized DP and 3 newly authorized MYPs in 2004-05.
Students Served
In 2006-07 grant funding was available only for those schools that had grants in the previous year. These 56 schools served 17,127 pupils.
Results
The IB program serves as an outstanding model of vertical teaming of middle and high schools and meets the intent of Superintendent O’Connell’s High Performance High Schools Initiative. Specifically, the IB program meets the goal of implementing high expectations for all students by increasing the number of students enrolled in academically rigorous courses. It provides world-class professional development for teachers and administrators; supports successful transition to postsecondary education; and promotes community support, including parents, businesses, higher education institutions, and public agencies.
Contact Information
Marjorie McConnell
Education Programs Consultant
916-323-5830
mmcconne@cde.ca.gov
