The History and Philosophy Behind IB
There
is a rich and impressive history behind the development of the IB as it exists
today, one that goes a long way toward explaining why the programme is so
respected around the world. Created with a goal of providing a top‐tier
education to young men and women who will, in turn, make positive changes in
their own communities as well as on a global scale, the IB Diploma Programme
started in 1968 and grows stronger in both its mission and its results with
every passing year. A brief overview of the history of the IB can be found here, with a timeline of significant events here. The "fast facts" page located heregives an excellent snapshot of the IB as a whole. The
Middle Years Programme was started in 1994 to give younger students access to
an IB education. Please read the history of the Middle Years Programmehere.
History of IB at Lanier
Sidney Lanier Middle School
was established in 1926 and is part of the Houston Independent School District.
We are the proud home of the Purple Pups. Lanier has been an IB World School
since 2003. It was authorized in partnership with Mirabeau B Lamar High School.
In 2007, the schools ended their partnership, allowing Sidney Lanier to offer a
three year Middle Years Programme. Lanier had their first evaluation visit in
October of 2007. The International Baccalaureate Organization will be returning
to Lanier in Spring 2012 for the next Evaluation visit. You can read more about
the history of Lanier here.
In addition to being a Middle Years
International Baccalaureate World School, Lanier is a Vanguard Magnet School for
the Gifted. Lanier has a student population of approximately 1350 students.
Nearly one third of the students are neighborhood students residing in the
zoned boundary. Two thirds of Lanier students participate in the Magnet program
for gifted students. Students in this program are selected by lottery. To enter
the lottery, students must meet a minimum score of sixty two out of one hundred
based on HISD defined criteria. You can read more about HISD’s gifted and
talented program here.
Questions for Reflection:
1.
List 3 things
that surprised you while reading the history of the MYP. List 2 things that
excited you when reading the history of the MYP. List 1 thing you would like to
know more about after reading the history of the MYP.
Thanks for setting up this blog, Aurora! This is a nice way to learn more about the IB program.
ReplyDeleteThree things that surprised me: I was surprised that the MYP has such a long history. I was also surprised at how quickly the program has grown, and I was surprised that there are so many IB schools in the United States.
Two things that excited me: I find all of the guiding principles of the MYP to be exciting. An emphasis on learning to learn, developing lifelong learners, and teaching from multiple perspectives all play a big role in my personal philosophy of teaching. I am also very interested in creating authentic assessments, and I think it is great that the culminating assessment for the MYP is a project-based assessment.
One thing I would like to know more about: I will be very interested to learn more about how the principles of the MYP are put into practice at Lanier. I’d also like to know more about how our students complete the MYP. Do they complete it in three years at Lanier, or do they go on to complete it in their first two years of high school before entering the Diploma Programme?
-- Carrie Roberts
Thank you Aurora for giving a quick overlook into the program! What great initiative! I, like Carrie, was surprised to learn how long the IB program has been around and how quickly it grew! However, I was dismayed to learn that when the IB program was first taking root, many governments were hesitant to recognize it for fear that it would undermine their own educational system (not surprised necessarily but just dismayed).
ReplyDeleteI am pleased that the MYP program emphasizes the necessity of learning the students' mother tongue. We are only beginning to understand the implications of being fluent in more than one language, how critical it is for brain development and for future success. I am also excited to learn that the MYP program emphasizes the importance of being "critical and reflective thinkers." Colleges and universities say the best way to prepare students for higher learning success is through critical thinking skills!
I am very intrigued by interdisciplinary studies and am therefore happy to learn that the MYP centers itself on learning "across the subjects." This better prepares our students for having a comprehensive and well-rounded skill set as they journey through college and beyond.
Thanks again!
Nilima Vashi
3 Things that Surprised Me
ReplyDelete1) I think that it is surprising that it took 15 years before the MYP was implemented. It seems like the DP would be difficult for students without the benefit of developing the IB learner profile through the MYP.
2) I did not realize the IB curriculum begins for students as young as 3 years old and would be interested to find out what schools in the district offer the PYP.
3) I was surprised that the MYP was the result of the one and only African international school with the original IB Diploma Programme (at that time). They were in need of a program that would breech the gap between the teaching principles in their middle schools and their IB high school DP principles. Which leads back to my first comment!
2 Things I am Excited About
1) I am excited to see the drastic growth of the MYP from its inception to today. I feel like as the community grows there will be more opportunity for training and collaboration, which will be nice since I am new to the program.
2) I am excited to begin brainstorming ways to incorporate a more global aspect to my practice and cannot wait to beg, borrow, and steal ideas from people who have been doing it for years now.
1 Thing I Would Like to Know More About
1) I see there is an emphasis not just on academics, but also a social responsibility element to the MYP. I want to know what Lanier does to actively foster this on and off campus.
-Katie Keenan