The International Baccalaureate Organisation (International Baccalaureate) was founded in the 1960s, growing out of international school efforts to establish a common curriculum and university entry credential for geographically mobile students. The International Baccalaureate Diploma has evolved and developed to gain wide acceptance and esteem throughout the world.
It is a two-year program designed for the final secondary years to:
- prepare students for tertiary studies
- provide students with a balanced education
- foster critical thinking skills
- encourage cultural understanding and tolerance
- enable students to move between countries and cultures without affecting their education
- develop international awareness and a broadened perspective.
Structure
The International Baccalaureate Organisation is an international non-government organisation, with its headquarters and general administration located in Geneva, Switzerland. The Curriculum and Assessment Centre is located in Cardiff, Wales.
The Diploma Program
The International Baccalaureate curriculum model consists of a hexagon, with six academic subject groups surrounding a core. Students study:
- a subject from each of the groups (Group 6 gives the option of selecting another subject from Group 2, 3 or 4 if an Arts subject is not chosen)
- a simultaneous involvement in three other fundamental programs: Extended Essay; Theory of Knowledge (ToK); and Creativity, Action and Service (CAS). © IBO Reprinted with permission from the IBO 2008.
To be eligible for the award of the Diploma, students must meet the following requirements:
- study six subjects, one from each of the groups (Group 6 gives the option of selecting another subject from Group 2, 3 or 4)
- complete at least three subjects at a Higher Level, and the remainder at Standard Level. A Higher Level course represents 240 teaching hours over two years. A Standard Level course represents 150 hours over two years
- satisfactorily complete the following requirements:
- Theory of Knowledge (ToK) This explores the relationships between the various subject disciplines, ensuring that students engage in analysis and critical reflection of the knowledge acquired, within and beyond the classroom.
- Extended Essay Students are required to undertake original research and write an extended essay of some 4,000 words. This offers the opportunity to investigate a topic of special interest and acquaints the student with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected at university. The topic arises from one of the six subjects studied by the student, and is undertaken under the supervision of an appropriate mentor from the staff at Carey in the chosen area.
- Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) The CAS requirement is a fundamental part of the diploma curriculum, emphasising the importance of life outside the world of study. Participation in theatre and musical productions, sports and community service activities enables students to share their special talents while developing awareness, concern and the ability to work cooperatively with others.
|
Note:
- Students who do not complete the Diploma will be awarded a certificate for the examinations they have completed.
- An International Baccalaureate student may transfer to the VCE after the first year of the IB. Full credit can be gained for the International Baccalaureate work in lieu of Units 1 and 2 VCE.
- A student may study one International Baccalaureate subject as an extension, and be awarded a certificate for that subject.
|
Assessment
Each of the six subjects chosen are generally assessed by examination at the end of Year 12. In some of the subjects, up to 30% of the mark is based on internal assessment.
Each subject examined is graded on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum).
Up to three additional points can be gained from the performance in the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge, while the CAS requirement must be satisfactorily completed.
The award of the Diploma requires a minimum total of 24 points and
- the satisfactory completion of the Extended Essay, ToK and CAS
- the offering of one subject from each of the six groups
- the offering of at least three, and not more than four, of the subjects at Higher Level and the others at Standard Level.
The maximum score possible is 45.
Award of Diploma Points
Both the Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay will be assessed against published criteria. According to the quality of the work, based on the application of these criteria, points will be awarded by the combined performance levels achieved in these subjects. A maximum of three Diploma points are awarded according to a student's combined performance in both the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge.
Diploma Points matrix for Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Extended Essay
|
Excellent
A
|
Good
B
|
Satisfactory
C
|
Mediocre
D
|
Elementary
E
|
Not Submitted
|
|
Excellent
A
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
1 + Failing condition*
|
N
|
|
Good
B
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
Failing condition*
|
N
|
|
Satisfactory
C
|
2
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
Failing condition*
|
N
|
|
Mediocre
D
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
Failing condition*
|
N
|
|
Elementary
E
|
1 + Failing condition*
|
Failing condition*
|
Failing condition*
|
Failing condition*
|
Failing condition*
|
N
|
|
Not Submitted
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
N
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
©IBO 2007
A candidate who, for example, writes a good Extended Essay and whose performance in Theory of Knowledge is judged to be satisfactory will be awarded 1 point, while a candidate who writes a mediocre Extended Essay and whose performance in Theory of Knowledge is judged to be excellent will be awarded 2 points.
A candidate who fails to submit an Extended Essay will be awarded N for the essay, will score no points and will not be awarded a Diploma.
Performance in both the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge of an elementary standard is a failing condition for the award of the Diploma.
* From 2010 onwards, 28 points will be required to be elgible for the diploma if a students attains an 'E' grade in either the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge. As previously, a grade 'A' in one of the requirements earns an extra point even if the other is a grade 'E'. Attaining a grade 'E' in both the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge continues to represent an autonomic failure.
© IBO Reprinted with permission from the IBO 2008.
