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Parents may occasionally come up with these questions:
What is IBDP?
How is IBDP scored?
How did BIS hit an expected 35 points average DP score that is far beyond the world average of 29.78 points?
What universities can BIS students be admitted to?
……
To help parents better understand IB Diploma and its implementation in Boston International School, we held the 4th Parent Workshop on the morning of 10th Apr. It was themed What is the IB Diploma? and was presented by our DP Coordinator Matthew Kirk.
Matthew is from the United Kingdom. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (with Honors) in Chemistry, from the University of Sheffield, UK. Deciding to embark on a career as a Secondary School Science teacher, Matthew earned a Post Graduate Certificate (with Qualified Teacher Status), from the University of Sheffield, in 2001. He also has a Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Leadership, from Manchester Metropolitan University.
Matthew has been a teacher for 17 years. He has worked in two state Secondary Schools in the UK and International Schools in Dubai (UAE), Hanoi (Vietnam) and now in Wuxi. During his professional teaching career, Matthew has been a Science teacher, Head of 2 large Science Departments and a UK government recognized Learning Coach (helping to professionally develop newly qualified teachers to meet national standards and practices).
He has vast experience in teaching middle school Science, IGCSE Sciences, A-levels and IB Diploma Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) as well as Theory of Knowledge. In addition to teaching MYP Science and IB Diploma Chemistry and Biology, Matthew is currently the IB Diploma Coordinator at Boston International School. Matthew is student-centered and enthusiastic in his approach to teaching and learning and is a strong advocate for holistic student development.
Matthew first gave parents some basic information about IBDP. The IBDP curriculum is made up of the DP core and six subject groups, among which students take the most essential part as DP core.
To broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills, IB developed three core elements: TOK (Theory of Knowledge), EE (Extended Essay) and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). The three core elements are interweaved with six subject groups: Studies in Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics and The Arts.
It is mandatory for every DP student to choose six academic subjects to learn for a 2-year curriculum span, among which three subjects are studied at higher levels and three standard levels. Each subject is graded both Internally (via IA tasks) and Externally (via Examinations). Maximum of 7 points are awarded for each subject (42 points maximum for six subjects).
Besides, TOK and EE contribute up to 3 ‘bonus points’ to the overall IB Diploma Score, making a total 45 points IB score.
Meanwhile, CAS is not formally assessed. However, CAS could help students to develop their ‘story’ when it comes to university or job applications. Why is Story so important? Please refer to our last Parent Workshop: Parent Workshop Series | It’s Decision Time: Now What?
DP Examinations are offered in May and November. BIS is a May Exam Session school. According to Matthew, this year BIS will hit an expected 35 points average DP score that is far beyond the world average of 29.78 points (2018). He gave this great success to below element:
– At BIS, DP classes in all subjects are taught by experienced and subject qualified specialist teachers.
– ALL DP teachers attend IB approved professional development workshops.
– Teachers have solid knowledge of the IB Diploma as a PROGRAMME and not just a series of academic subjects.
– Units and assessments are planned using the ManageBac platform. Students (and parents) have appropriate access.
– Due to regular goal setting and summative assessments, students know where they are at and how to improve throughout the two-year course.
– The DP Coordinator asks subject teachers for regular student progress checks – formally 3 or 4 times each academic year and more informally, as needed. This allows us to track students who are not on track and make appropriate decisions.
– Students have weekly College Counseling Sessions.
– Individual student CAS progress and Extended Essays are tracked (via ManageBac) and guidance is provided, as appropriate.
– Students receive 6 lessons (min) per week for each HL subject and 4 lessons (min) per week for each SL subject that they are studying.
– Students should expect a significant amount of required homework and independent study as part of the IB Diploma. TIME MANAGEMENT is actually the most essential skill they gain through DP course.
With their excellent 35 points average IBDP scores, our 2019 DP students have already received offers from the top-level universities around the world:
Carnegie Mellon University (2019 U.S News World University Rankings top 25), University of Pittsburgh（2019 U.S News World University Rankings top 43）, West Virginia University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Binghamton University, Rutgers, Penn State University, Fordham University
– UK
University of Southampton, University of Bristol, University College London (2019 QS Ranking top 10)
– Canada
York University, The University of British Columbia (2019 QS Ranking top 47), University of Toronto (2019 QS Ranking top 28)，University of Waterloo
– HongKong, China
The HongKong Polytechnic University
The fifth Parent Workshop for this semester will be held on 17th, Apr. Our MYP Coordinator Mr.Bobby Young will give some details and advantages of IBMYP. Looking forward to your participation. 
