The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP) is an educational program taught in one of three languages ​​(English, French or Spanish). This program prepares graduates for admission to the best universities in the world.

Under the IB program, 2,718 international schools of the world operate in 125 countries. Most of the schools that teach under the DP (Diploma) program are government subsidized schools. Officially founded in 1968 in Geneva with the support of UNESCO, the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) is a non-profit foundation that does not belong to any particular country. IBO now offers three options for educational academic programs.

IB programs

International Baccalaureate is a recognized leader in international educational programs. It is represented by three agreed programs for students from 3 to 19 years old:

• Primary Years Program (PYP) for children aged 5 to 11;
• a Middle Years Program (MYP) for children aged 11 to 16;
• high school program (Diploma Program, IB) for students aged 16-19.

Syllabus

The Diploma program includes:

• six subjects for compulsory study;
• extended essay (scientific thesis) up to 4000 words;
• compulsory subject - Theory of Knowledge (combined course of various disciplines and skills of practical application of theoretical knowledge in life).

Each student enrolled in the Diploma program is advised to spend 150 hours developing creative skills, fitness (sports) and charitable activities (environmental protection, charitable aid).

Each subject is evaluated on a seven point system, with 7 being the highest point. An additional three points can be earned for an excellent thesis (essay) and for a project on the Theory of Knowledge.

45 points is the maximum possible result that a student can get while studying under the Diploma program.

To obtain an International Baccalaureate Diploma, a student must score a minimum of 24 points.

However, there are some issues due to which a student may be refused a Diploma, despite the points they have earned. This is non-participation in the program of creative, sports and spiritual development (CAS), copying other people's ideas, unfulfilled thesis.

On the other hand, there are certain conditions that allow a student to receive a Diploma, despite his possible failures in any disciplines: successful passing of exams for knowledge of the mother tongue and one foreign language, as well as the fulfillment of other additional requirements of the program, gives the candidate the right to receive a Bilingual Diploma. education.

The student has the right to study not the entire list of required subjects and may refuse to participate in some of the compulsory school events, not attend a course in the Theory of Knowledge, or not write a thesis. In this case, the student will not receive a Diploma, but he will be issued a certificate with the results of his success in each of the subjects studied. Such a certificate is nothing more than a statement of payment by a student for exams and a statement of grades with the results of these exams. Such a certificate is issued to all students at the end of the course.

Subject areas

Each student chooses six subjects for study (one subject from each of the groups 1-5 below), and also additionally takes a sixth subject from groups 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6.

He is required to study at least three subjects in an advanced program (HL), the other three subjects will be studied by him within the framework of the high school standard. You cannot study more than 5 subjects in an advanced program without the special permission of the IB school coordinator.

The Advanced Study subjects require 240 hours of study per course. The subjects of the standard course are allocated 150 hours of lessons during the program.

Group 1: Languages ​​A1: Usually the student's native language (80 different languages ​​to choose from).

Group 2: Second language: Foreign language in addition to the first studied language from group A1 (in-depth or standard).

The study of a second foreign language is divided into three categories according to the level of proficiency in this language: A2, B and ab initio (from Latin "from the beginning").

• A2 - the second language, which the student speaks as a native;
• B - the second language that the student has been studying for two years;
• ab initio - the student has never studied this language.

The choice of learning each of the languages ​​from Groups 1 and 2 is determined by the student.

Group 3: People and Society: Humanities subjects such as: philosophy, economics, business and management, psychology, anthropology, jurisprudence, peaceful conflict management, information technology, geography, history.

Group 4: Experimental sciences: physics, chemistry, biology, ecology, technologies for environmental protection.

Group 5: Mathematics: standard mathematics, medium level mathematics, advanced mathematics, higher mathematics. Computer technology and programming can only be an additional sixth subject, but not part of the mathematics course.

Group 6: Creativity and additional courses: painting, graphics, ceramics, music, choreography, drama. The offered subjects of this group can be replaced by the student for any other subject from Groups 2,3,4 or for computer technology from Group 5.

Graduate work

The student must write a thesis, consisting of 4000 words (10-11 pages of A4 text) in any subject studied by him (not necessarily an examination). Each course has special explanations, following which, the student will be able to properly organize and formalize his first scientific work. The topic for work can be any, but forcing the student to research and study the subject of the topic. The thesis is written under the guidance of a teacher who in parallel develops the same topic, gives written advice to the student. The diploma work must be completed without fail if a student is applying for a Diploma.

CAS

CAS is an abbreviation of the English words: Creativity, Action, Service.

This program block is optional. He invites students to take part in socially significant events, participate in sports competitions, and engage in creativity. This section of the program aims to motivate students to go beyond the school academic curriculum, to feel their worth and importance in the world, by sharing their skills with others. Each student who wishes to receive a Diploma must spend 150 hours during the course on charitable, sports and creative activities. Of course, a student can devote much more time to sports, creativity or charity work, but in order to receive a Diploma, it is important that he is engaged in creativity, sports and social work for 50 hours for each type of activity at least. Hours are documented in official school journals, which are submitted annually in January to the head office of the International Baccalaureate Organization. A diploma is awarded if the required course is completed in full.

Theory of Knowledge

Each student must successfully pass the Theory of Knowledge course. A minimum of 100 teaching hours are allocated for this subject. The aim of this course is to develop students' critical thinking, logic and self-study skills. The condition for the successful passing of this subject is the writing of an abstract of 1200-1600 words (4-5 pages of printed text A4) on one of the proposed topics of choice and its presentation.

The grades for the abstract and presentation are compared with the grades for the thesis according to a special table (matrix) developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization, as a result of which the student can be awarded up to three additional points.

Efficiency mark

All knowledge of the subjects is assessed in points given by the school itself and according to estimates given by independent experts of the organization, as well as by the results of examinations, which are held in May. Each exam usually consists of two or three sets of tests. All test kits are submitted on the same day. For example, a chemistry exam may consist of test 1 with tasks and answer choices. Test 2 will have items that require a written substantiated answer. Test 3 may require the student to answer one specific question in depth.

Retaking the exam is only possible next year. The candidate has the right to retake the exam three times.

Each version of the test takes 45 minutes to 3 hours, but usually the exam lasts from one to two hours.

Since usually a large number of different subjects are tested during the exam month, students often have to write several different tests on the same day. The test results are confirmed by an independent expert from the International Baccalaureate Organization.

The forms of internal testing and exams conducted by the school itself (IA) are different: oral presentations, practical work, written work, homework. 20-50% of the final score that a student will receive in the subject under study depends on the school's grades.

The grades given by the school and experts for the examination papers are processed and analyzed. The overall performance indicators of schools around the world define the minimum passing score for a student to receive a Diploma in each given year.

Conditions for obtaining a diploma

To obtain an IB Diploma, the following requirements must be met:

• At least three subjects are studied in depth and three according to the standard program.
• Four subjects are studied in depth and two according to the standard program.
• Each of the six subjects studied is given a score of 2 and higher: for example, the native language - 2 points, then the second language - 3 points, and so on. The minimum student must score 24 points.
• Creativity, sports and social work should be spent 150 hours during the course.
• You need to hand over your thesis.
• Provide an abstract and presentation on the Theory of Knowledge course. To receive the Diploma, the student must receive a grade of at least D (three) for the thesis or for the abstract on the Theory of Knowledge.

Certificates

A student may opt out of a full Diploma course and pursue a certificate program in a specific subject. Candidates who study only in a certain subject may neglect the additional requirements for obtaining a Diploma (not to write a thesis, not to study the Theory of Knowledge course and not to participate in social work, not to engage in creativity and sports). However, if a student decides to obtain a certificate in the subject of World History, then he must attend and study the Theory of Knowledge course.

Those students who, in addition to the IB Diploma program, have also managed to study and successfully pass the exam for knowledge of an additional subject, also receive a certificate attesting their level of knowledge in this subject.

Confession

In Canada and the United States, some IB Diploma programs are recognized as a first year university or college level. Universities and colleges may authorize a student to enroll in a second year, depending on the final grades in his IB Diploma. Thus, the IB Diploma is the equivalent of the Advanced Profile Program.

In England, most universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, accept the IB Diploma as an alternative to the English A-levels or Scottish High School Certificate. The UCAS organization in 2008 created a table for IB Diploma points, which indicates the minimum points for admission to each university in the country.

In some countries, such as Turkey or Peru, the IB Diploma is not considered the equivalent of a national high school diploma. Usually this position is explained by the fact that the program for the IB Diploma is not as specialized as in a particular country, or the program for obtaining the IB Diploma does not offer certain subjects for study. However, in Peru, some universities accept students with an IB Diploma.

Other countries, such as Germany, have established certain requirements for applicants with an IB Diploma:

The applicant must retake the following disciplines in Germany:

• a foreign language according to the A2 program (the student had already studied the language for two years before the start of the IB course) at the standard level;
• mathematics at the standard level;
• one of the subjects of the experimental course or mathematics in an advanced program.

Some universities, however, prefer to accept students with IB Diplomas obtained in their country of study. The list of German universities that accept applicants with IB Diplomas without retaking exams is always updated on the official IBO website.

In Australia, all universities accept the IB Diploma. Students with high scores in advanced courses may request extramural credits for their first year at university.

Russia accepts IB Diplomas at most universities, including Moscow State University, MGIMO, REA. Plekhanov, but these universities require very high final marks in the Diploma. For example, for admission to the Faculty of Economics at Moscow State University, an applicant must have 36 points in the IB Diploma, including an examination score of at least 6 in each subject studied in depth.

In France, the IB Diploma is an alternative diploma for an applicant entering any university in the country.

In Hong Kong, applicants with an IB Diploma can enter the country's universities as foreign students.

The State University of Singapore recognizes the IB Diploma as a worthy certificate for applying for the first year of the university.

You can find out information about the recognition of an IB Diploma by universities in the country of your interest on the official website of the IBO: http://www.ibo.org/country.

Together with Global Dialogue, you can enroll in the IB program at the following schools:

• St Clares (Oxford, UK);
• King's-Edgehill School (Canada);
• College du Léman (Switzerland).

International Baccalaureate as a universal school curriculum was created in the middle of the twentieth century (late 60s) in Switzerland. The purpose of creating IB was to obtain a single criterion for assessing knowledge, which allows residents of different countries to receive education abroad. Therefore, training an applicant under the IB program allows foreign educational institutions to recognize his IB diploma (IB Diploma - a school leaving certificate) equivalent to diplomas issued domestically.

Since its inception, (International Baccalaureate) has become quite widespread, therefore today IB diplomas are recognized by the world's leading higher educational institutions. In a number of countries (Great Britain, France, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Canada, USA), applicants with an IB diploma are admitted to universities without compulsory entrance exams: according to the agreed passing score and the requirements for grades in specialized subjects. In Spain, an IB diploma is equivalent to a national high school diploma, but does not exempt students from university entrance examinations. In Russia, such diplomas have the same weight as generally accepted certificates.

In any case, an applicant who has received an International Baccalaureate degree based on the results of his studies has the opportunity and the appropriate qualifications to enter virtually any of the universities in the world. To date, the program involves 1,500 schools in more than 100 countries of the world (including 10 schools in Russia). The educational level in schools working under the IB program is always above the national standard - they are traditionally among the best educational institutions in the country.

Features of the approach

The IB program is designed primarily to instill in students the skills of social adaptation, as well as the transfer of knowledge and skills necessary for life - regardless of professional specifics. The approach to the study of individual subjects within the program is considered special. Various analytical methods are widely used, and the main emphasis is on the academic achievements of each student:

• ability to think critically;
• writing a number of research papers;
• independent activity (scientific, experimental and creative).

This approach motivates program participants to pursue dedication, interest in knowledge and improve academic performance. This is one of the most flexible educational programs in the world: every three years, changes are made to the IB program on the recommendation of students, teachers and experts from around the world.

Varieties and specifics of the IB program

The Diploma Program is the most common type of IB program designed for prospective applicants. Duration of training is 2 years. Each school offers its own curriculum within the Diploma Program, but in general it is organized as follows:

1. Only one subject is taught in the native language - "Native language and literature". In general, training takes place in one of the European languages ​​(English, Spanish or French).

2. Within the framework of the program, all subjects studied (about 60) are combined into six groups. The basis of the program is the study of six basic subjects chosen by the student himself (one subject from each group).

• foreign languages ​​and literature;
• first language (most often, native) and world literature (selectively);
• mathematical disciplines;
• natural sciences (chemistry, physics, biology, ecosystems, etc.);
• block "Man and Society" (philosophy, psychology, economics, geography, history, information technology, business and management, etc.);
• a block of optional additional disciplines (may include subjects from other groups, advanced study of mathematical disciplines, design, music, programming, theater art, additional foreign languages, etc.).

3. Selected basic subjects are taught in two levels:
... Higher level (advanced level - 3 subjects, 240 academic hours). Traditionally, for in-depth study, specialized subjects are selected that are necessary for admission to a university.
... Standard level (standard level - 3 subjects, 150 academic hours).
Specificity: all students involved in the IB program must take part in the following educational programs:
TOK (Theory of Knowledge) - "Theory of knowledge". An extensive course of a philosophical plan, which includes the theory of research, as well as existing scientific models and methods of comprehending new things. Within the framework of the classes, not only the skill of effective self-study is formed, but also the ability to maintain a scientific argument. Participants in the program master the art of formulating judgments and reasoning, learn to write essays and take part in discussions on various topics, put forward hypotheses and give definitions.
CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) - "Creativity, action, service." Within the framework of the program, each participant undertakes to perform a specific amount of work in three areas of the project:
... stage "Creativity" involves participation in the life of the team (writing scripts, preparing for the release of a school newspaper, etc.);
... the “Action” stage involves active participation in outdoor sports, theater studios, etc .;
... the “Service” stage involves any charitable activity aimed at helping the community (visiting hospices, orphanages, volunteer work, etc.).
Participation in the CAS program reveals not only the creative, but also the humanistic potential of young people.
By the end of the IB program, the participant must write an Extended Essay (extended essay, from 4000 words). This is a kind of report on independent research (thesis in a chosen subject) under the guidance of one of the teachers.

Obtaining an IB diploma

To receive an IB diploma upon completion of training, each program participant must not only complete an academic course, but also fulfill the following requirements:
... successfully pass exams in six subjects chosen for training (the total score is no less than 24). The objectivity of IB exams is confirmed by an external assessment system: in addition to internal assessment (on a 7-point scale), each participant receives an assessment from an independent foreign examiner at a single IB examination center located in Cardiff (Wales, UK). Internal and external assessments are summed up; for written work, program participants are awarded additional points;
... have worked at least 150 hours in the compulsory CAS program;
... write two papers under the mandatory TOK program;
... prepare Extended Essay;
... complete all projects.
Every year in the world 36,000 people take the IB exam, and about 80% receive a diploma.

International Baccalaureate is a universal educational program in which over the years of its existence the best practices of school education from different countries of the world have been combined.

The International Baccalaureate educational program was created in Switzerland in the late 60s as a universal school program with a general curriculum, which would allow educational institutions of one country to consider education received in another country equivalent to the national one.

As the program spreads IB Diploma(so-called IB diploma, in fact - a school leaving certificate) began to be recognized by the world's leading universities. Now in the USA, Canada, Ireland, Great Britain, Belgium, France, Norway, Sweden and some other countries, applicants with such certificates are admitted to universities without entrance exams. Only the passing score and the requirements for grades in the certificate for a certain set of subjects are stipulated. In other countries - for example, in Spain - a diploma International Baccalaureate recognized along with the national, but does not exempt from passing entrance exams. Thus, a student with an International Baccalaureate degree has sufficient qualifications to enter virtually any university in the world.

Today according to the program International Baccalaureate you can study in 1020 schools in 100 countries of the world. The fastest growing number of schools is in the United States. Typically, schools that practice this model are among the best in all countries. This essentially means that the level of secondary education received in IB schools is above the national standard.

The IB program is primarily designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary in life for everyone, regardless of profession, as well as skills for social adaptation. Within the framework of the program, the main emphasis is on academic achievement, the ability to think critically, and independent work skills. Thanks to this approach, students increase their motivation and interest in knowledge, and, consequently, academic performance.

The IB program is designed for two years. The specific curriculum may vary from school to school, but in general it looks like this. Training is conducted in one of the three working languages ​​of IB: English, French or Spanish (teaching of the native language, native and world literature in the national language is allowed). The basis of the program is the study of six subjects that the student chooses himself. The subjects of the program are taught at two levels: “advanced” (Higher level) and “standard” (Standard level). The first involves the study of the discipline in the amount of 240 teaching hours, the second - 150 hours. At the “advanced” level, three or four subjects are studied, as a rule, necessary for him to enter a university.

The subjects of the IB program are grouped into six groups, and from each student chooses one subject to study.

• First language (usually native) and selective study of works of world literature.
• Foreign languages ​​and literature in these languages.
• Man and society (history, psychology, geography, economics, philosophy, business and management, information technology, etc.).
• Natural sciences (biology, physics, chemistry, ecological systems, etc.).
• Maths
• Additional electives (design, music, performing arts, one of the subjects of group 3 or 4, mathematics at an advanced level).

Also, students must take powerful comprehensive courses:

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK) - "Theory of knowledge". This is a course of a philosophical plan, a kind of research theory, methods and models of comprehending new things. In a word, in these classes they teach to learn and not be afraid to argue in search of truth; here they also give a basis for self-study. As part of this course, students are also taught to write essays correctly, argue their point of view, give definitions and formulate hypotheses, and debate competently.
• Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) - “Creativity, action, service”. Creativity can include publishing a school newspaper, writing a script for a Christmas tree, etc. Action is sport, dancing - in a word, all mobile activities. Serving society is any activity aimed at helping the disadvantaged, protecting the environment, etc. - from visiting orphanages to helping with the construction of a church. Participation in theatrical performances, sports, social work contributes to the fact that not only reveal their talents, but also develop such important qualities as attentiveness, caring for others, and the ability to work in a team.

By the end of the program, each student must have written an Extended Essay of at least 4000 words. It should be a kind of report on independently conducted research on a chosen topic, which is carried out under the guidance of a teacher. This allows students to acquire research skills.

One of the main differences of the IB program is, first of all, the approach to the study of the subject. As a rule, the IB program uses methods of various analysis, emphasis is placed on writing research papers and independent experimental activities of students.

In order to receive the Diploma of Completion of the International Baccalaureate program, the student must complete the program by fulfilling all the requirements: successfully passing exams in all six subjects (in three subjects at the advanced level and in three subjects at the standard level), write an Extended Essay and two papers in Theory of Knowledge, complete at least 150 hours of Creativity, Action, Service and complete all projects and mini-projects. Every year about 30 thousand students receive an IB Diploma.

An objective assessment of the results also contributes to the credibility of the IB diploma. The graduate of the program must receive two assessments: an internal assessment, which is given by the school teacher, and an external assessment by foreign examiners of a single examination center in the city of Cardiff in the UK.

The flexibility of the program should be especially noted. Changes are made to it every three years. Specialized teacher committees are constantly working to improve the courses. Thus, International Baccalaureate is a universal program that has absorbed all the best that exists in the school education of various countries. This is a kind of universal language that is understandable to almost any university and college.

IB or not IB?

IB or not IB?

If you want to study at Oxford or Harvard, this desire is welcome. But the trouble is that right after graduating from a Russian school you will not be accepted into English, German or, say, an American university. However, there is one option, how to unlearn at school in Russia and immediately enroll in a foreign university. This is the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
An educational program called International Baccalaureate was created in Switzerland in the late 60s. At the initiative of the UN School in New York and the International School in Geneva, a group of international experts undertook to draw up a universal school curriculum that would allow educational institutions to recognize the equivalence of education received in another country.
The program was a success. At first, it was taught in only a few private schools, but then more and more educational institutions of different countries of the world, including state ones, began to introduce it.
With the spread of the IB Diploma program (the so-called IB diploma, in fact, a high school graduation certificate), the world's leading universities began to be recognized. Now in the USA, Canada, Ireland, Great Britain, France, Belgium, Norway, Sweden and some other countries, applicants with such a certificate are admitted to universities without entrance exams. Only the passing score and the requirements for grades in the certificate for a certain set of subjects are stipulated. In other countries - for example, in Spain - the IB diploma is recognized along with the national one, but it does not exempt from passing the entrance exams. In Russia, the IB diploma is recognized as a document comparable to the national certificate, however, no one has yet been admitted to Russian state universities with such a document on secondary education.
Today, according to the IB program, you can study in 1,020 schools in 100 countries of the world. The fastest growing number of IB schools is in the United States. As a rule, in all countries, schools that practice teaching according to this model are among the best (see Table 2). This essentially means that the level of secondary education received in IB schools is above the national standard.
Seven IB schools have been established in Russia: six in Moscow and one in Togliatti. Another school in Samara is currently undergoing authorization. The Russian Ministry of Education became interested in the program back in 1989. And in 1995, at his invitation, representatives of the IBO arrived from Geneva with an inspection and opted for the Moscow school no.45. She was the first to start working on the program, and a year later, in 1996, she was accredited and received the right to issue an IB diploma.

What is IB made of?

IB programs are primarily designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary in life for everyone, regardless of profession, as well as skills for social adaptation. Thanks to this approach, students increase their motivation and interest in classes, and, consequently, academic performance.
There are currently three International Baccalaureate programs. This is the Diploma Program, which, in fact, is the hallmark of the IBO, the Middle Years Program that appeared in 1992, and the Primary Years Program that was created only three years ago. We will tell you about the Diploma Program, as it is of the greatest interest for schoolchildren seeking to enroll in a foreign university.
The diploma program is designed for two years. Training is conducted in one of the three working languages ​​of the IBO: English, French or Spanish (teaching of the native language, native and world literature in the national language is allowed). The basis of the diploma program is the study of six subjects that the student chooses himself. "Instead of studying everything, as in the Russian program, the student can choose the subjects that interest him most," says a student at Warwick University in England. Natalya Tumasyeva, who graduated from school on the IB program. and since there are only six items, much more time and effort can be devoted to each of them. "
The subjects of the program are taught at two levels: "Advanced" (Higher level) and "auxiliary" (Subsidiary Level). The first involves the study of the discipline in the amount of 240 teaching hours, the second - 150 hours. At the "advanced" level, three or four subjects are studied. This allows the student to focus on the disciplines necessary for him to enter the university.
At the end of the course, students are required to write a so-called "Extended Essay" of at least 4,000 words. It should be a kind of report on independently conducted research on a chosen topic, which is carried out under the guidance of a teacher. This allows students to acquire research skills. Such works are accepted in 60 subjects.

"Theory of knowledge" and others

The IB subjects are grouped into six groups; from each group, the student chooses one for study. The first group is the "first" language (as a rule, native) and selective study of works of world literature. The second is foreign languages ​​and literature in these languages. Teaching is conducted for three levels of language proficiency: advanced (fluent), intermediate, with a previous study period of more than two years, and initial (ab initio).
The third group of subjects entitled "Man and Society" includes history, geography, economics, philosophy, psychology, social anthropology, business and management, information technology in the world community and ... a course in the history of the Islamic world.
The fourth group consists of natural sciences: biology, physics, chemistry, applied chemistry, as well as a course with the promising title "Ecological systems". The fifth group includes mathematical disciplines.
The sixth group combines optional subjects. This includes design, music, performing arts, classical languages, computer programming, third modern language, second or fourth class subject, advanced mathematics, or any other course offered by the school and approved by the IBO.
The IB diploma program also has two features that distinguish it from all national school systems in the world. The first is a compulsory study of a subject called "Theory of Knowledge" (TOK). It is a philosophical course that brings together various issues of interdisciplinary knowledge. "In these classes, schoolchildren are 'taught to learn' and to argue with teachers, - explains Natalya Tumasyeva. - It provides a basis for self-study." As part of this course, schoolchildren are taught to write essays correctly, argue their point of view, give definitions and formulate hypotheses, and competently debate.
The second difference is also mandatory for all work within the framework of the Creativity, Action, Service - CAS program. Creativity can include publishing a school newspaper, writing a script for a New Year tree, etc. Action is sports, dancing — in a word, all mobile activities. Serving society is any activity aimed at helping the disadvantaged, protecting the environment, etc. - from visiting orphanages to helping with the construction of a church.
“Once a week I study English with a disabled boy from our area,” says Nadya Manoilo from the Moscow School of Economics. “And all together we go to a sponsored kindergarten in Khotkovo. makes estimates for the construction, the other is responsible for the delivery of building materials. This teaches us to work together. "

Pushkin we pass, Lermontov - went to mind

The difference between the IB program and the Russian one is manifested, first of all, in the approach to the study of the subject. Thus, the Russian literature program is structured chronologically and includes a large number of studied works. IB uses a benchmarking method. Pupils study fewer literary works, but analyze them much deeper.
The final grade of a student in literature consists of four components. This is an essay based on two works of world classics, an oral commentary on an excerpt from a work of Russian literature, a written commentary on an excerpt from another work of Russian literature, and, finally, an examination essay on works of Russian literature. The last two elements are a compulsory part of the final written exam for the IB Diploma.
The mathematics course within the IB program is more detailed and has many more sections, but the level of complexity of the problems being solved is not so high. But IB students study the theory of probability and mathematical statistics - sections that are not included in the Russian school curriculum.
These differences are not limited to. The history program, according to Elena Abakumova, coordinator of the history block of the IB program at the Moscow School of Economics, teaches children to analyze sources and write research papers. "If the Russian program is more focused on the knowledge of names, events and dates, then the IB program teaches the skills of historical analysis. As a rule, the most striking examples are developed in detail," she says. In biology, chemistry and physics courses, the emphasis is on the independent experimental activities of students (projects and mini-projects, individual and group). And most of the subjects included in the complex of social sciences - for example, business and management, sociology, etc. - are not studied in the Russian secondary school at all.

I'll give you a seven!

“The International Baccalaureate is, first of all, a unique teaching methodology,” says Mikhail Shneider, Assistant Regional Program Coordinator in Russia. . The IB program has absorbed the best aspects of school education in each country. "
In addition, schools have to adhere to very strict standards. Before introducing the teaching according to the IBO method, the school must pass certification for compliance with its conditions with the requirements of the program, and teachers are trained at the IBO training centers. The accreditation of a school usually takes place one year after the start of its work on the program.
The flexibility of the program should be especially noted. Changes are made to it every three years. Specialized teacher committees are constantly working to improve the courses. With the help of a questionnaire, almost all teachers working according to this system are interviewed, and their opinions are taken into account when improving the program.
An objective assessment of the results also contributes to the credibility of the IB diploma. The graduate of the program must receive two marks on a seven-point scale: the internal one, which is set by the school teacher, and the external one, that is, the one given by foreign examiners. All examination papers are collected for testing in the city of Cardiff in Wales, in a single examination center. The assessors do not know the students, so bias in the assessment is eliminated. In total, more than 3,500 examiners are involved in checking the work.
The very approach to grading may seem unusual. The fact is that in IB, it is not so much the student's knowledge at the current moment that is assessed, but their dynamics - from one exam to another.
Examinations in six selected subjects are held at the end of the second year of study, in May. Internal and external assessments add up to a certain amount of points in each subject - from 1 to 7. In addition, students write two works on "theory of knowledge", which is assessed on the AC scale, and a thesis in any of their chosen subject (assessed on a scale A-E). Excellent work is awarded with additional points, which are added to the points received for 6 subjects. Thus, the maximum number of points that a student can receive is 45. They say that in the entire history of the existence of IB, this happened only once.
36,000 students take the IB exams annually. Of these, only about 80 \\\\% receive a diploma. It is issued in the event that all the requirements of the program are met: a "detailed essay" and two works on the TOC have been written; at least 150 hours worked under the CAS program; completed all projects and mini-projects in various subjects; the examination papers were successfully completed (at least 24 points for 6 exams).

Russian outposts IB

So far, only a few are studying under the IB program in Russia, since by our standards it is quite expensive, although it is cheaper than studying at a private school abroad. At the same time, the IB program is studied in parallel with the Russian one, so the educational load on the child turns out to be hefty. And the schools themselves are not ready to provide hundreds of educational places.
For example, Moscow School No. 45, headed by the Honored Teacher of Russia Leonid Milgram, cannot afford to teach more than 8 people a year under this program. So far, only three IB graduates have graduated from the school. “The idea to teach English to the existing teachers was immediately abandoned. We invited outside people who were fluent in English. It was difficult to find a math teacher, but we managed to solve this problem,” says Mikhail Shneider, deputy headmaster of the school.
From those who are going to study the IB program at this school, only knowledge of English is required. For all three years, parents must pay about $ 10,000. This includes the cost of textbooks and the salaries of teachers who teach in English. Education in the subjects of the state school curriculum at school is free.
The diploma program has already existed at the Ecole school for a whole year. There are more applicants for a diploma in 2001 - 32 people. This is partly due to the fact that teaching is carried out according to the program of an English special school, and children begin to learn English from the "zero" grade. There is no competition for admission to IB classes, everyone has a chance to try their hand. Those who quickly realize that they cannot survive studying in English drop out on their own.
Teachers working on the IB diploma program, as a rule, have two educations: specialized and linguistic. For example, economics is taught here by specialists who graduated from the Faculty of Economics of Moscow State University and the Moscow State Linguistic University.
The Private Moscow School of Economics is one of 12 schools in the world that has received accreditation for all three IB programs. The teaching level of the diploma program is very high here. Suffice it to say that three graduates of the school graduated from the program with final marks of 37, 38 and 39 points, and with 38 points they are already being taken to Cambridge.
Teaching under the International Baccalaureate program at MES began in 1997. The school managed not only to invite outside teachers, but also to train its own teachers in the continuing education courses held every summer by the IBO. In addition, school teachers travel to major universities in the world to study special vocabulary and methodology for teaching the subject in the language. For example, this summer a group of MES teachers will travel to Scotland, to the University of St Andrews.
MES makes very serious demands on students. Only those who are really serious about learning are accepted into IB classes. Students wishing to study on the IB diploma program are required to have a good level of English proficiency (at least 150 points out of 200 possible on the Oxford Placement Test, which corresponds to the Upper Intermidiate level), a sufficient level of social and intellectual maturity.
In the tenth grade, those who want to study in the IB program can take the test and start studying in the pre-IB class. In it, children go through the Russian program of grade 10, but most of the subjects are read in English. Then - another test in mathematics, English, Russian and literature, as well as an interview with a psychologist. The final decision is made based on their results.
"We look at how the child's skills in analysis and generalization are developed, to what extent he is result-oriented. To study this program, a child must have a certain personality structure, be emotionally stable and have a high level of self-control," explains school psychologist Olga Gavrilova. “After pre-IB, many themselves understand that the load is too great for them, and continue to study further according to the Russian program.”
There is no additional IB program fee for MES students. The cost of training for all students of the school is one - $ 500 per month. Most of the cost of organizing the work of the program is borne by the school board of trustees.
Now, according to the IB diploma program, 11 people are engaged in the MES, who are divided into 8 study groups. According to the coordinator of the IB program Alla Skvorkina, it was very difficult to draw up a schedule. “While no one has chosen geography in our country yet, from the natural sciences, everyone has made a choice in favor of biology. And information technologies, which three of our graduates studied last year, have not been taken by anyone. It's good that everyone is studying TOK together,” she jokes. ...
Nadya Manoilo is now in 11th grade IB, she is a round excellent student. Last year she took 1st place at the All-Russian Olympiad in history for schoolchildren. She is going to enter the London School of Economics (LSE, see. B). Nadya says that for a year now she has not been able to watch television, because "there is absolutely no time for it."
Her classmate Maxim wants to go to Harvard. He chose mathematics at the Higher level, and the topic of his extended essay is "Game theory and its application in economics". Naturally, the work will be written in English. And this despite the fact that the theory of games in the Russian mathematics course is not studied at all.

School after school

The main difficulty that worries many young people and their parents is how the relations of graduates with military enlistment offices are being built. Recall that young men graduate from the IB program precisely at the draft age - at the age of 18. But, according to the coordinator of the IB programs of the Ecole school Natalya Zykova, the school provided the military registration and enlistment office with a list of boys - applicants for the IB diploma, and they were given a deferral, so that they still have time to enter the university.
Pupils of the IB diploma program of other schools finish the 12th grade, having already entered the first year of a Russian university. Thus, the management of school no.45 made a single, but significant change in the program: the number of hours prescribed by the program was "stretched" not for two, but for three years. IB students go through the last year of the program after graduation, combining university studies with completing all tasks and writing final papers.
As for the MES, in 1999, two graduates of the school, who received state certificates - Alexey Kotlov and Denis Skuratovsky, were admitted to the International College of Economics and Finance of the State University - Higher School of Economics. They were considered full-time trainees in the Faculty of Economics and went on to study the IB program in grade 12. In May 1999, they passed exams under the International Baccalaureate program, as well as ("for safety reasons") external exams under the Advanced Placement Program in microeconomics, macroeconomics and statistics, together with 1st year ICEF students. Exams in the Advanced Placement Program system are counted by universities in the USA and other countries and are considered by many leading universities (including the University of London) as entrance exams.
In addition to ICEF, students with an IB diploma are admitted to the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. According to Alla Skvorkina, the requirements for admission to the Center for International Education of the Russian Academy of Economics. Plekhanov - two "sixes" and one "five" in specialized disciplines. IB students receive a large tuition discount.
As for the possibility of admission with an IB diploma to other Russian state universities, it is still difficult to talk about something definite. But with foreign universities everything is very simple: a complete list of universities in all countries that accept applicants with such certificates is published annually. According to Natalia Tumasyeva, she did not have any particular problems when she entered the University of Warwick. This is exactly what many parents need. And you?
Table 2. Tuition fees for the IB degree program in selected foreign schools

School name Location Tuition fees, thousand USD per year

College du Leman Versoix, Switzerland 28.8-33
Ecole Brilliamont Lausanne, Switzerland 36-42
Ecole Lemania Lausanne, Switzerland 34-39
St Clare College Oxford, UK 28.5
Skagerak Gymnas Sandefjord, Norway 16

What is the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program?

The International Baccalaureate program is designed as an academically interesting and balanced educational program that prepares students aged 16 to 19 for successful university studies and later life. The program is designed for 2 years and is universal for the entire world community. Upon graduation, students take exams in all subjects, and if they pass successfully, they receive an international diploma, which makes it possible to enter leading universities both abroad and in Moscow without entrance tests.

Since the 1960s:

1. The program balances the breadth and depth of study of all subjects, and also takes into account the nature of knowledge in different disciplines through a unique theory of knowledge (Theory of Knowledge).
2. The program promotes international understanding, fosters respect for other languages, cultures, religions, as well as pride in one's own language and culture.
3. The program develops a positive attitude towards acquiring knowledge, which prepares the applicant for subsequent studies at the university.
4. The program is known for its strict external assessment system, the standards of which are identical in any country in the world.
5. The program contributes to the comprehensive development of students: physical, intellectual, emotional and ethical.

The ten essential characteristics that are inherent in any graduate of the Diploma program are spelled out in a special document "Learner Profile" (see Appendix): students in the program seek to ask questions, think, communicate, take risks, learn, adhere to principles, think openly, be attentive and caring , be harmonious and reflect.

Program

Students in the International Baccalaureate Diploma program study 6 subjects at an advanced or standard level. Everyone should choose one subject from each group from 1 to 5, which guarantees full coverage of knowledge in various fields: languages, humanities, experimental sciences and mathematics.

The student can choose the sixth subject from the sixth group (area "Art"), or prefer another subject from groups 2 to 4.

At the advanced level, mainly 3 subjects are studied, although 4 are optional (the required number of hours is 240), the rest of the subjects (3 or 2, respectively) are studied at the standard level (150 academic hours). Students can study these subjects and take exams in English, French or Spanish.

Evaluation

Upon completion of the program, students take written exams, which are assessed by IB examiners. In addition, during the two years of study, the children also write several in-school works, which are either initially assessed by school teachers, and then by external experts, or are sent directly to the IB examiners.

Grades for each subject range from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest) points. Students can also receive additional points (up to 3) on the results of their essays on the theory of knowledge and Coursework (Extended Essay) in one of the core subjects. A diploma is awarded to a student who scored at least 24 points if he / she submitted the CAS Journal (a diary that each student of the Diploma program keeps for two years in the program "Creativity. Action. Service"). The maximum score for the sum of all completed tasks is 45.

Evaluation is done according to criteria. This means that work is scored according to prescripted descriptors that take into account the goals and objectives of each subject in the course, and they are not compared with the results of other students taking similar exams.

Group 1: Native language and literature

Group 2: Foreign languages

Group 3: Humanitarian sciences

Group 4: Experimental Sciences

Group 5: Mathematics and Computer Science

Group 6: Art

Coursework (Extended Essay) is required so that students can conduct independent research through a comprehensive analysis of the problematic issue in one of their chosen subjects.

Theory of knowledge (Theory of Knowledge) is a course designed to stimulate each student to analyze, critically explore different modes of cognition (perception, emotions, language and arguments) and different types of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical and historical).

Creativity, Action, Service - this program assumes that learners actively learn “inside” and outside the school walls. The guys can combine all three components or perform actions related to one of the components separately.

Quality assurance and professional development.

Any school wishing to work on the IB Diploma Program and acquire International status must first go through an authorization process. The requirements for authorization are the same for all schools, although it may vary slightly depending on the region.

It is a challenging and fun program that requires both motivated students and teachers to show their maximum ability. Educational institutions must motivate not only their students, but also teachers. Schools have access to an expanded professional training package for the IB Diploma Program for Teachers and Administration, there is an opportunity for continuous professional development. Schools have a responsibility to participate in an ongoing process of vetting and upgrading teaching staff, using the standards and methods applied in all schools operating under the International Baccalaureate program.