breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,884 
Location: PNW
|
Post by breetheflea on Sept 20, 2023 2:32:53 GMT
My dd wanted to be in the IB (kind of like the AP program but not) program at her high school (she's a junior). She won't be eligible for the diploma because she isn't one level higher in math (don't get me started...)
Anyway, dd can take most of the IB classes anyway but isn't going to get the special diploma, no matter what because of the math class.
One of the "special" IB classes is actually a 7th period (called TKO, TOK... Theory of Something), that was offered after school last year. Since dd isn't getting the diploma, and the class interfered with her high school sports, she did not sign up for the extra class. It sounds extremely boring to me... actually the whole program sounds stressful and anything with the unofficial motto "college was a piece of cake after the IB program" gets a huge thumbs down from me...
Well, the district switched the high school schedule this year, school starts an hour later, and guess what, the class is now offered in the morning. DD's English teacher keeps bringing up that "there's still time to sign up" and "it will look great on your college applications." DD is not going to Harvard (we can't afford it!) so I'm still not convinced...
First, dd would have to be driven to school (by me) because the school bus gets there for 1st period (and barely) and not 0 period. Second, there's extra homework (plus over the summer, some giant assignment) and as I mentioned dd is not eligible for the IB diploma, so why take the extra class? She's already busy/stressed with 4 IB classes, and honors math.
I am feeling like a mean old mom having to say no over and over as dd keeps rebringing it up (every time her teacher mentions it.)
Anyone familiar with IB, and the TKO class? Am I the worst mom ever not letting dd take the extra class?
|
|
|
|
Post by Marina on Sept 20, 2023 4:37:44 GMT
On Facebook there is a group called Grown and Flown Parents. It may be a great place to get answers for that.
|
|
|
|
Post by busy on Sept 20, 2023 5:23:45 GMT
I’m pretty sure it’s Theory of Knowledge.
If driving her to school was a real hardship, then ok, say no. But it sounds like you just don’t want her to take the class because you think it’s hard. If she wants to challenge herself, I think you should get out of the way and let her make the choice.
I didn’t take IB (wasn’t offered at my school) but I think it’s a great program.
|
|
|
|
Post by littlemama on Sept 20, 2023 10:10:17 GMT
Im not sure that IB classes without the diploma mean anything when it comes to applying for college.
However, your dd has decided to take IB classes and if she wants to add the other class, she should be able to. As a junior, is she not able to drive herself to school?
|
|
|
|
Post by malibou on Sept 20, 2023 11:53:26 GMT
For those that may not know what IB is its an International Baccalaureate program that is offered at some high schools.
Ds did not get an IB diploma, but he did take a bunch of the IB classes and enjoyed the challenge of most of them. He did get additional credit for those classes, that bumped up his GPA when it came time to look at colleges.
Since she will not be able to get a full IB, I wouldn't jump thru hoops for a zero period class. The number of IB classes she has taken should be ample for admission to all kinds of good colleges.
|
|
|
|
Post by ihaveonly1l on Sept 20, 2023 12:40:23 GMT
I am a former IB coordinator (PYP) so I do not have any experience with DP program, but call the school and talk to the coordinator. They have to have one.
|
|
breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,884
Location: PNW
|
Post by breetheflea on Sept 20, 2023 13:49:08 GMT
I went to IB information night last year and was not impressed... maybe it was the presenters. It was confusing.
She is in several sports and has practices until at least 5:30 and meets twice a week until 8 at night, and a few out-of- town weekend meets. I'm not sure where even more homework would fit...
I can drive her to school, it's just her being able to take the bus was one less thing on my daily to-do list. No, she does not drive yet, I am having problems finding a driving class that fits in with all the sports practices...
If she insists on taking the class, it's up to her, I'm just not understanding why it's necessary I guess.
|
|
|
|
Post by auntkelly on Sept 20, 2023 14:24:19 GMT
I'd be thrilled that my daughter wanted to take a an extra class that she knew was going to be a lot of hard work.
I'd talk to her about why she wanted to take the course and make sure it wasn't just because all her friends were taking it or something like that. If she expressed a genuine interest in the subject matter, or wanted to challenge herself intellectually or found the teacher of the class to be inspiring, then I would do whatever I could, within reason, to make it possible for her to take the class.
I really do believe that when you are your daughter's age, a learning experience can be life changing. Even if she decides she doesn't like the class, she'll have a better idea of what she does and doesn't want to study in college.
|
|
|
|
Post by busy on Sept 20, 2023 14:30:10 GMT
I'd be thrilled that my daughter wanted to take a an extra class that she knew was going to be a lot of hard work. I'd talk to her about why she wanted to take the course and make sure it wasn't just because all her friends were taking it or something like that. If she expressed a genuine interest in the subject matter, or wanted to challenge herself intellectually or found the teacher of the class to be inspiring, then I would do whatever I could, within reason, to make it possible for her to take the class. I really do believe that when you are your daughter's age, a learning experience can be life changing. Even if she decides she doesn't like the class, she'll have a better idea of what she does and doesn't want to study in college. This. My son really wanted to take data science this year, which is a second math class, on top of a full load of AP and honors courses (including two science classes). I talked to him about the workload but he was really interested in everything and committed to doing the word, so it was his choice. It wasn't about it being "necessary" or not, it was about his interest and desire. |
|
|
|
Post by buddysmom on Sept 20, 2023 15:00:06 GMT
My son got his IB HS diploma in 2011. He has always been very driven, studious, etc.
He went to our state flagship university and did not have to take any of his gen ed classes.
It saved a lot of time and $$$ but he was not a partier, etc.
|
|
jimmysgirl
Shy Member
Posts: 27
Jun 15, 2015 4:32:58 GMT
|
Post by jimmysgirl on Sept 20, 2023 15:22:24 GMT
My kids did the IB program in high school, although not the full program. (So while they don't have a full IB diploma, they still have it on their transcripts.)
As a parent, I saw several advantages. One, the IB classes are smaller, so there is more teacher attention since the student-to-teacher ratio is lower. Additionally, in their school, the teachers who taught IB courses were the best teachers in the school. They take extra training to teach IB courses.
What I liked most about the IB curriculum was that it had a wider approach than the basic curriculum. Students are encouraged to think and research more widely. The "international" part of International Baccalaureate meant they were studying things that weren't being approached in their peers' regular classes. More than anything, this is what prepared them for college. I am a fan of open-minded thinking, and that's what they got in the IB program.
|
|
huskergal
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,979
|
Post by huskergal on Sept 20, 2023 15:38:47 GMT
I thought the TOK was like the capstone of the program.
|
|
pinkhelen
Shy Member
Posts: 24
|
Post by pinkhelen on Sept 20, 2023 17:30:10 GMT
I'm a lurker here with a 26 year old son who received an IB diploma.
I would look at your daughters level of intellect and academic motivation.
I think that my son would have been bored out of his mind in regular high school classes. The IB classes were at his level. I also agree that the students get better teaching.
He did not attend an Ivy League school, but a highly selective school where he graduated with honors. I'm not sure the IB diploma helped him get into the school he picked (he was a legacy which is a different topic), but I think that the IB diploma gave him skills to do well while studying there.
I would speak with the coordinator for the program.
My son played lacrosse, but started driving the week he turned 16, so I don't remember that there was much extra driving for me. I had another son in school and I manged to hold down a part-time consulting job during that time. My husband was a corporate executive, so most extra driving fell onto my duties.
Good luck to you and your daughter!
|
|
smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,696
Location: Houston, TX
|
Post by smartypants71 on Sept 20, 2023 21:01:43 GMT
My DS went to an all-IB school. He graduated with a foundational high school diploma (i think that's what it's called) with an IB endorsement. His endorsement was in engineering.
TOK, along with service hours and one other required course which I can't remember the name of, were all required for the IB program.
So, from a purely practical perspective, there is no point in taking the class if she is not going to get an IB diploma.
|
|
kmsintexad
New Member
Posts: 5
Dec 26, 2019 18:23:51 GMT
|
Post by kmsintexad on Sept 20, 2023 21:38:06 GMT
I have twin boys that both did the IB program in high school. The program seems to be geared towards independent study and self motivation. They both did very well in school. They graduated number one and two in a class of over thousand students.
|
|
|
|
Post by kenziekeeper on Sept 20, 2023 21:44:53 GMT
I would have her speak to a counselor or advisor and make sure the course makes sense to take if she isn’t getting the diploma (in case the English teacher doesn’t have the full story)… And then get the heck out of her way and let her take the class if she’s up for the challenge!
|
|
|
|
Post by longtimenopea on Sept 20, 2023 21:54:12 GMT
IB contributes to rigor, so a student taking it without expectation of completing the diploma would benefit from added rigor in coursework. Rigor is a factor in college admissions so I’m all for the most rigorous coursework that’s right for the student.
Kids at this age should be making most of their own course selections with their counselor input. They should be choosing the pathway that closest meets their goals and if they’re excited about something or want to take additional or more rigorous courses I say good on them, make it happen. Overcome the logistics if the course selection is desirable.
My school doesn’t offer IB (only a few HSs in our county offer it), but one thing I’ll say is that high achieving kids often seem subjectively more stressed by the workload than they objectively are. mine was super stressed last year with honors level stuff and jumped into some serious AP courses this year and I was also worried about the load but decided what was most important was letting my student choose the right pathway for them. It’s fine. AP World has been a rude awakening but now is the right time for that awakening. It’s fine.
|
|
RosieKat
Drama Llama
PeaJect #12
Posts: 5,377
|
Post by RosieKat on Sept 21, 2023 0:53:40 GMT
I assume 0 period or 7th period means before or after school at your school? (We use a different system and a different number of classes here - A/B schedule and 8 blocks total.) So...does she get actual academic credit if she takes a class then? I've not heard of any true credit-giving classes done like this in our area, and our school does have IB.
I do agree that IB classes seem to have the best teachers. (I'm saying this as a parent of a kid who is NOT in IB classes.)
|
|
|
|
Post by Sorrel on Sept 21, 2023 1:27:06 GMT
My daughter’s high school offered IB and AP, and my daughter took several IB classes thinking they would be similar to AP. The school did not let her know that if you don’t get the diploma most colleges won’t give you college credit even if you do well on the exam. She did great on the Psych and Bio IB test and couldn’t use them at all in college. We were so pissed, what a waste of money to take the tests.
|
|
breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,884
Location: PNW
|
Post by breetheflea on Sept 21, 2023 2:56:19 GMT
I assume 0 period or 7th period means before or after school at your school? (We use a different system and a different number of classes here - A/B schedule and 8 blocks total.) So...does she get actual academic credit if she takes a class then? I've not heard of any true credit-giving classes done like this in our area, and our school does have IB. I do agree that IB classes seem to have the best teachers. (I'm saying this as a parent of a kid who is NOT in IB classes.) Yes, the normal school day is periods 1-6. 0 period would be before regular school and 7th period would be after regular school. My DS goes to a different high school that has block A/B days and has 8 classes... |
|
breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,884
Location: PNW
|
Post by breetheflea on Sept 21, 2023 3:00:08 GMT
My daughter’s high school offered IB and AP, and my daughter took several IB classes thinking they would be similar to AP. The school did not let her know that if you don’t get the diploma most colleges won’t give you college credit even if you do well on the exam. She did great on the Psych and Bio IB test and couldn’t use them at all in college. We were so pissed, what a waste of money to take the tests. I think the district pays for the tests, at least they did last year. but I heard a rumor they might have stopped doing that. I'm going to have to ask because that is a lot of money, especially if it doesn't transfer or count for anything! |
|
|
|
Post by Sorrel on Sept 21, 2023 13:23:53 GMT
My daughter’s high school offered IB and AP, and my daughter took several IB classes thinking they would be similar to AP. The school did not let her know that if you don’t get the diploma most colleges won’t give you college credit even if you do well on the exam. She did great on the Psych and Bio IB test and couldn’t use them at all in college. We were so pissed, what a waste of money to take the tests. I think the district pays for the tests, at least they did last year. but I heard a rumor they might have stopped doing that. I'm going to have to ask because that is a lot of money, especially if it doesn't transfer or count for anything! Yes, definitely check- they were pricy. I think my daughter would still have taken the classes, especially the bio, since she is now in college for nursing, but would have skipped taking the tests. |
|
|
|
Post by Darcy Collins on Sept 21, 2023 21:28:05 GMT
My daughter did the full diploma program while my son took a mixture of IB/AP classes. The full diploma is a ton of work with the service hours, extended essay etc. Theory of Knowledge wasn't a particularly tough class in her school and was pretty interesting, but I'm sure that's going to vary by school/teacher.
I don't think any of the universities my kids researched required the full diploma for credit, so that surprises me.
|
|
