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International Baccalaureate School In August 2008, the Santa Barbara School Board approved the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) at Harding University Partnership School.  Last year, a team of teachers visited an IB School in Pasadena, California to explore the Programme and brought back their reflections to the rest of the teaching staff who expressed widespread interest in pursuing IB for Harding University Partnership School. Our journey has begun, and we are on our way!
Molly Presser
What is the IB Program for elementary schools?
The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) is designed for students aged 3 to 12. It focuses on the total growth of the developing child, touching hearts as well as minds and encompassing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to academic development. Unlike the junior high and high schools where only some students participate in the Programme, the PYP in elementary schools is inclusive and all of the students in PK-6 participate in it. 


The ultimate goal of the IB PYP is for learners to be:

  • Inquirers
  • Knowledgeable
  • Thinkers
  • Communicators
  • Principled
  • Open-minded
  • Caring
  • Risk-takers
  • Balanced
  • Reflective

    
Molly Presser      The PYP is based on a curriculum framework, in which teachers are trained to develop units of learning that are based on six transdisciplinary themes of global significance: (1) Who we are, (2) where we are in place and time, (3) how we express ourselves, (4) how the world works, (5) how we organize ourselves, and (6) sharing the planet.

Students will continue to use state-adopted materials in English/Language Arts, social studies, mathematics, arts, science, and personal, social and physical education. A unique component of the IB PYP is that students will learn a second language as well. There are three phases to becoming an IB World School, authorized to offer the PYP.

  • Consideration phase: feasibility study and identification of resources: The school makes an in-depth analysis of the philosophy and curriculum, and identifies the resources needed to deliver it. Harding University Partnership School is currently in this phase.
  • Candidate phase: trial implementation period:  The school puts in place all the processes and resources needed to deliver the programme, including the training of teachers. The school must then implement the full programme for at least one year. We are hoping to begin this phase in fall 2009.
  • Final phase: school visit by an IB visiting team:  At the end of the trial period, a delegation appointed by the IB visits the school and evaluates the school’s capacity to deliver the programme. If the outcome is positive, the school becomes authorized to offer the programme and attains the status of IB World School.

Molly Presser

For more information about IB at Harding University Partnership School, you can email Ms. Lindsay at jlindsay@sbsdk12.org. You can also learn more at http://www.ibo.org or http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-03/2008-03-20-voa29.cfm


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