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International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate (IB) organization is a nonprofit educational foundation that was established in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1968, by families whose professional lifestyles rendered them citizens of the world. The need to develop a plan of studies that would be universally accepted emerged as young people in these families began preparing to enter a university. The plan has now expanded to include students of all ages. The mission of the foundation is to develop well-rounded individuals who are intellectually curious, knowledgeable, caring, and prepared to build a better, more peaceful world working in collaboration with people from countries and cultures across the globe. This entry describes program models, core elements, and organization and governance of the IB.

Program Models

IB has developed three models that public or private institutions may implement individually or as a continuum to become IB World Schools. By September 2007, IB was serving 560,000 students in more than 2,100 schools in 125 countries.

Primary Years Programme

The Primary Years Programme (PYP) was initiated in 1997 for students ages 3 to 12 and is now offered by 388 IB World Schools. The curriculum is organized around six interdisciplinary themes that help children and youth define their own identities, examine concepts, make connections, work in teams, consider multiple perspectives, reflect on new meanings, and take action. A culminating activity requires students to examine real world issues and propose solutions based on what they have learned through their experiences in PYP.

Middle Years Programme

The Middle Years Programme (MYP) was established in 1994 for students aged 11 to 16 and is currently offered by 560 IB World Schools. The curriculum includes the core disciplines and allows flexibility to pursue national interests using an interdisciplinary approach. Content may be taught in any language, but support materials are available in English, French, Spanish, and Chinese. MYP recognizes that students in this age group are struggling to develop personal identities in view of social and cultural influences. Students are encouraged to think critically and independently and to develop communication, research, and team-building skills. Students are also expected to participate in community service activities at the local, national, or international level. During the final year, students select and present an original project such as a work of art, a piece of writing, or an invention.

Diploma Programme

The Diploma Programme (DP) is offered to students in the last 2 years of secondary school. Since the first examination to obtain a diploma was administered in 1970, more than 1,500 schools have been authorized to implement this model. The curriculum is available in English, French, and Spanish. Students examine content in six areas: the primary and a second language, individuals and societies, mathematics and computer science, the arts, and the experimental sciences. Students also take a course on the theory of knowledge, write an extended essay on a topic investigated, and complete projects that demonstrate creativity, action, and community service. Most leading universities throughout the world recognize the IB diploma, but students may work for individual certificates in one or more subjects.

Table 1 Sites of International Baccalaureate Administrative Offices Region orConcentration of
CityCountryRegion or Site of OperationsAbbreviationConcentration of Programs in Percent
HeadquartersIBHQ
GenevaSwitzerlandOffice for Africa, Europe, and Middle EastIBAEME27
New YorkUnited StatesOffice for North AmericaIBNA49
VancouverCanadaNorth America and the CaribbeanIBNA
CardiffUnited KingdomAcademic and Functional Committees
BathUnited KingdomResearch
Buenos AiresArgentinaOffice for Latin AmericaIBLA11
YokohamaJapanRepresentative for Japan
BeijingChinaRepresentative for Mongolia and China
SingaporeSingaporeOffice for Asia PacificIBAP13
SydneyAustraliaRepresentative for Australasia
MumbaiIndiaRepresentative for South Asia
Source: From International Baccalaureate: 21 things you should know about the IB. (2007, June). Retrieved September 5, 2007, from http://www.ibo.org/fastfacts. Reprinted with permission of IBO.

Core Elements

Three common elements are central to each model: student assessment, professional development, and school evaluation. Each program has a committee responsible for supervising the quality and development of the curriculum. Schools worldwide are encouraged to complete surveys, test new materials, and send experienced teachers to ongoing curriculum review meetings. IB provides guides, support materials, sample lessons, exams, and assessed student work.

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