Weighing In on the IB Programme
David Spreadbury, Secondary Principal

The latest buzz in secondary school is that we are currently in the process of investigating the possibility of offering an International Baccalaureate Programme (IB). This would be an optional program that qualified students would choose in addition to the regular Alberta high school program.

Becoming an IB authorized school is very similar to what we’ve gone through to become fully Alberta accredited. It is an arduous and challenging process that will take approximately 2 – 3 years to complete. We are currently busy gathering information so that we can submit a request for candidacy. If all goes according to plan, the opening of our new building will coincide with the introduction of the new program. In the fall of 2016, the first cohort will start pre-IB in grade 10 (current grade 8 students).

When we look at the aims and ideals of our TIS Alberta program, it fits very closely with the IB program. At TIS, our mission is to develop socially responsible, life-long learners able to problem solve, think critically, and make positive changes in our global community. Students receive an inquiry based, liberal arts education with an emphasis on community service. The IB aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. The IB program encourages students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. From these statements, you can see the similarities in the underlying tenets of the two programs.

Comparing IB and Alberta:
-An IB course is evaluated on a scale of 1-7, whereas Alberta courses are evaluated as a percentage.
-An IB exam addresses two years of content and Alberta diploma exams address outcomes from the 30-level curriculum only.
-IB diploma candidates must study 6 subjects whereas an Alberta student may write 6 diploma exams if they choose but it is not required. For admission purposes, universities generally look at the top 5 applicable grade 12 subjects from the Alberta transcript
-3 or 4 of their six IB courses must be at the higher level. Standard level courses (SL) involve 150 hours of instruction and are very similar in depth and breadth to the Alberta grade 11 and 12 courses. Higher level courses involve 240 hours of instruction and are similar to a first-year university course.
-In addition to the 6 subjects, IB students must also complete the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay and Creativity-Action-Service (CAS) elements.

Looking at all of this and trying to keep it in perspective, we can see there are advantages to the IB program for some students. Things such as a global recognition of the IB diploma, increased possibility of scholarships, possibility of advanced credit for university courses and perhaps easing the transition to post secondary study. In talking with our TIS graduates when they come back to visit, some of them think that while the Alberta diploma got them into the same university as the IB students, they feel their IB classmates may be better prepared for the demands of university courses.

But, as with anything, advantages come with disadvantages. Having to complete at least 3 HL courses along with the TOK, CAS and Extended Essay places more pressure and time constraints on the students. It becomes impossible for a student to fit all three sciences into their timetable. That means if they wish to complete three sciences, at least one will need to be done outside of the regular school day either by correspondence or summer school. Many students also discover they don’t have time to participate in the extra-curricular clubs and sports teams that they previously enjoyed.

So, is IB better than Alberta? Or is Alberta better than IB? For me, it’s not a case of one being better than the other. I see IB as a way of expanding our existing program in order to provide parents and students with another option. For a select group of students, IB will indeed be a great addition to an already strong program. However, I also feel very confident in saying that for the majority of our TIS students, the Alberta program will continue to meet their needs and give them access to top universities around the world.