NEW: Quabbin School District Preps for International Baccalaureate Visit

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

GoLocalWorcester News Team

The Quabbin Regional School District is in the final stage of the application process to bring an International Baccalaureate (IB) program to the district, and officials are prepping for an authorization visit by IB administrators at the end of this month.

On Feb. 28 and March 1, the IB Authorization team will meet with Quabbin High School’s faculty, students, administrators, parents, and school committee members as they evaluate Quabbin’s IB application, proposed courses, curriculum and progress toward IB standards and expectations.

Quabbin has spent the past two years using Race-To-The-Top and Innovation School Planning Grant funds to research and develop a curriculum that follows the challenging and rigorous learning expectations of the IBprogram. With support from Quabbin’s staff, community members and school committee, an Innovation School - The International Baccalaureate School of Quabbin-candidate school – was approved. This work was accomplished without use of district funds.

The District pursued becoming an IB School as IB’s academic philosophy nicely complements the goals and values of the Quabbin School District by preparing students as active learners, collaborators, responsible citizens, critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators and to use technology efficiently to support their learning. The difference from the traditional course of study is the academic rigor and the philosophy of teaching. IB teaching and learning encompasses a cross-curricula approach and creates a culture where students are encouraged to think independently, creatively, and work collaboratively to question information in order to foster learning.

The IB Diploma Programme is an internationally-recognized, two-year program for students beginning their junior year. Students not interested in pursuing a full IB diploma may choose to pursue an IB certificate in the course of their choosing. Students in the program are challenged with a rigorous course of study, are encouraged to be international-minded and develop a positive attitude toward learning. The Programme focuses on the development of the whole student and integrates studies, topics, courses and experiences. Colleges and universities around the world recognize the IB Programme and level of preparedness. To date, Quabbin has trained twenty four teachers in the IB subjects of Language A (literature-based language) and Language B (world language study), Individuals and Societies, Experimental Science, Mathematics, The Arts, Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity-Action-Service (CAS). In preparation for IB authorization and programming, the high school is now offering an Inquiry Skills course which is a precursor to the IB course Theory of Knowledge and Introduction to IB: Habits of the Mind. Here the students are challenged to wonder then think of a solution or resolution using creative resourcing.

Based on the feedback received to date, Quabbin will begin scheduling IB courses this spring in anticipation of full authorization for the upcoming school year beginning in August of 2013. For more information regarding the International Baccalaureate Programme at Quabbin, please contact Jason Gilmartin, assistant principal and IB coordinator at 978-355-4651, x2105 or the International Baccalaureate Organization’s website.