The Park City School District, with generous funding from the Park City Education Foundation, offers an International Baccalaureate Program to students in grades 6-9. After starting out with a small pilot program at Treasure Mountain Middle School, the district expanded the Geneva, Switz.-based program which emphasizes "cultural enrichment, community service and an international perspective" to encompass both Treasure Mountain and Ecker Hill middle schools. Has it been successful?
The program's current director Abdul Rasool , whose salary was underwritten by the PCEF, recently announced that he is leaving the district. Should the position be refilled?
Let us know what your student's experience has been with IB, or -- if you teach at either school, tell us whether you think the IB program enhances or detracts from the curriculum.
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64 comments:
I fail to see the importance of international studies, when there are so many students who can't tell you who won the Civil War. America, given all its faults, is still the best place on earth, and deserves to be covered better by our schools.
Amen, to the previous blogger..The middle school kids in this town would be better served to learn common manners and personal responsibilty. Their parents could use a class in good parenting as well. Let's have them learn to be responsible citizens first before the "cultural exchange."
A cultural exchange with "liberal" Europe? Just what we need, more moral relativism in this town!
The ib PROGRAM IS A JOKE THE TEACHERS DID NOT EVEN BUY INTO IT, THEY JUST WANT IT TO GO AWAY. nOW A JOKE SINCE THE STUPID BOARD JUMPED THE GUN AND CHANGED THE NAME TO BOTH OF THE SCHOOLS. i BET IF YOU POLLED THE KIDS AND TEACHERS AT eCKER WHAT ib IS THEY WOULD SAY i DO NOT HAVE A CLUE
WASTE AND MORE WASTE GET BACK TO THE BASICS
From what I hear this Abdul Rasool guy didn't do jack. He kind of floated around giving talks but the program is no further along than when he first got here. I have a child currently in the program and we are doing everything on our own with very little to no assistance from the school.
I would imagine it was better when it was for only a few, now that it is for everyone it has probably lost much of the original appeal and quality.
This Rasool guy reminds me of the worst sort of bureaucrat.
Put Father Flynn from St. Mary's in charge of the program. Since he is a communist, he can teach the kids more of the same psychobabble!
Yes, Father Flynn visited Venezuela, now he knows everything.
With his moral authority and his understanding of economics he would make the perfect Chairman.
There isn't anything Father Flynn doesn't know.
Hugo Chavez's best friend in Park City no doubt!
God help us if Jay Leno comes here to do a "man on the street" interview with these middle school students. I shudder to think what they would disclose to him about current affairs or American History. These students would be better off in an additional study hall than in that joke of a program known as international studies. The kids may end up like the French, heaven forbid!
Seriously? Are you bloggers really thinking that kids in IB are learning about foreign studies instead of US History?
And what's with the personal attacks? Except for the parent and teacher with the caps lock on, every comment sounds like it's just spewing and the author doesn't know anything about IB.
Thomas Sowell discussed the IB program in a February 26, 2004 column in The Washington Times and said the IB program was "one of the endless series of fad programs that distract American public schools from real education in real subjects" and it had "a left-wing hidden agenda." He quoted a parent critical of the program as saying it, "promotes socialism, disarmament, radical environmentalism and moral relativism, while attempting to undermine Christian religious values and national sovereignty."
A June 30, 2004 article in EdWatch (www.edwatch.org), by Allen Quist said "IB themes taken together constitute a worldview--an overall philosophy of life. According to UNESCO, the worldview taught by IB includes the promotion of the Earth Charter (a religious/pantheistic document), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (which views human rights the same way Communist countries view human rights) and multiculturalism (which is based on the ideology of Italian Marxist, Antonio Gramsci)." Quist also says that, "America's foundational principles of national sovereignty, natural law and inalienable rights are at odds with the IB curriculum and are not taught." and that "IB is a transformational system of education which exists to promote internationalism. It is structured to change the attitudes, values, beliefs and behavior of its students to conform to the world government system."
For more on the IB program:
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/05/ed-watch/11-10-ibo.htm
IB in the middle school was previously an eletist program that only a 100 kids could enjoy. There were always more kids that wanted in than there were spaces. Now it accomodates everyone and no kids are left out. I guess the grass is always greener on the other side.
This school system is in the toilet and someone is concerned about the international sutdies program?.... Let's get real here.
WOW WHAT HOSTILITY! CUDOS TO THE FACT THAT MORE KIDS EXPOSED TO IB ARE NOW CHOOSING A SECOND YEAR OF LANGUAGE IN 9TH GRADE AND MORE KIDS THAT WERE EXPOSED TO IB AS AN ALL SCHOOL MODEL ARE CHOOSING HONORS AND AP CLASSES IN 9TH GRADE. HMMMM, WHAT A GREAT STATISTIC.
The IB program is just a fad, it will go away. There are only a handful of kids interested in it. Most kids do not even know or care what IB is. This was a Nancy Deford thing, they need to let it go and call it a failure. Big deal take a foreign language and do a personal project. Half the junk those kids produce can be done in a few hours.
and if the project turns out halfway decent credit the enabling parent who did the work for their kid.
"IB is a transformational system of education which exists to promote internationalism. It is structured to change the attitudes, values, beliefs and behavior of its students to conform to the world government system."
This bothers me greatly. When my child is old enough to attend middle school I will be sending him down the mountain. Education is good, but this is brainwashing.
Our IB whole school model rocks! My 6th grader will be a student better prepared to make valuable contributions to a world economy (you're in denial anonymous bogger if you equate this to "communism") and to better serve our local and world community as an intelligent thinker, leader and civic-minded citizen. In my book, this program serves society far better than mindless blogging about your endless fears and shortsightedness.
Our IB whole school model rocks! My 6th grader will be a student better prepared to make valuable contributions to a world economy (you're in denial anonymous bogger if you equate this to "communism") and to better serve our local and world community as an intelligent thinker, leader and civic-minded citizen. In my book, this program serves society far better than mindless blogging about your endless fears and shortsightedness.
The problem was not with
Rasool he is to much of a gentleman to tell this town your kids are a bunch of spoiled brats and parents who actually believe their kids are gifted and talented.He was used to dealing with kids who actually cared about their academics.
Funding - the PCEF has provided ALL funding for teacher professional development, program application fees, and PCSD coordinator salary.
Pilot Program - the 'school within a school' model piloted at TMIS served only a handful of Snyderville Basin kids in its three years of existence. An elite, or selected-in, or segregated model is not currently recommended by the IB North America.
Middle Years Programme - it is worth distinguishing the MYP from the Diploma and Primary Years programs. Each offer a distinct framework for quality education. It is important that dialogue participants distinguish between the three - especially between the MYP and the Diploma Programme.
Success - the MYP borrows heavily from the curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices promoted by the National Middle School Association; good middle level practice recognizes the unique developmental, cognitive, social, and emotional characteristics of middle level students, generally recognized as grades 5-9.
IB Coordinator - for successful implementation and accreditation applicant schools must have a point person, a Coordinator. School officials have started the discussion about the development of an appropriate leadership model.
Enhancement - the MYP provides the consistency of a continuous vertical framework for students rising through Ecker Hill and Treasure Mountain. Consistency supports kids' learning through their tumultuous 'tweener' years.
Change - As with any major education initiative, a normal timeline for complete cultural change is three to five to eight years. The schools are now in their eighteenth (school) month of full school program implementation since the school district's grade realignment.
Information - as evidence by recent guest and paper editorials Park Record readers (and staff) are obviously underinformed about the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. To learn more, read www.ibo.org, see MYP links. I'll happily entertain rational PCSD specific questions, e-mail gproffit@pcschools.us.
My issue with the IB program lies in the fact that students requiring special classes are not eligible for IB recognition. That would include ESL students, special ed students, and those who can't learn in a regular school setting (home school, dual enrollment, PCLC, BYU Online).
My understanding is that students must choose 8 in-school classes fitting into the 8 required subject areas (langauge arts, science, social studies, PE/Health, foreign language, math, technology, and fine art). According to the IB Coordinator, via the 8th and 9th grade course catalogs, special ed and ESL classes do not qualify, therefore, excluding those special students from the program.
The anonymous blogger that claims parents produce projects and not kids must be raising a child that fits that perfect Park City spoiled brat middle school model. What don't you change your attitude and try the IB way and encourage your kids to learn on their own.
The IB certificate might be out of reach for some students, but the fact that they are all in classrooms where teachers (should) teach using a student-centric model, and not just lecture to them and whoever doesn't get it, doesn't get it, helps to benefit the learning of ALL students.
And introducing a worldview to our kids will help them in a world that is getting more and more interdependant. Remember - these are the same teachers you love now teaching them - not some outerspace aliens!
PS
And stop calling the middle school students Park City's spoiled brats - it's a lazy cop out. What area of the world has tweens/early teens who _aren't_ difficult?
They are a bunch of spoiled brats and i bet your one of the parents who thinks their kids are angels. keep enabling them. Come to either middle school or the high school and hear their language, how they treat each other, and the lack of respect for authority. You did that stupid parent and you will eventually pay. Keep giving the little darlings parent releaseS and keep taking them out of school just becuase YOU WANT TO GO ON A VACATION. They see nothing wrong with any of them because you stupid make thefeel like they are entitled and special..guess wHAT THEY ARE NOT
Whoa, previous blogger....you sound like you might be in serious need of anti-depressants! Or some anger management classess. Or, you might be a frustrated teacher lashing out at a community you see as "priviledged." Or you might be a parent who's child doesn't fit in and you're pretty bitter. In any case, you need some serious help, and perhaps a move out of this high achieving district.
I know this, whatever the 8:33 pm blogger thinks he/she is doing, they are certainly not being constructive.
The biggest problem I have with this program is that it doesn't seem like the middle school has fully signed on. There is a disconnect between the vision and implementation.
I have children in the program and there really isn't any guidance, everything is done on their own. This could be good or bad. Fortunately my kids are pretty self motivated so it makes them stronger. But for kids who are not self motivated, or don't have strong parental support, it is lost on them.
Other then that we are really enjoying our experience in PC and are very happy with the education our children are receiving. There are excellent teachers in the district and most kids come from good homes with high expectations. All in all this is a very positive and quality community to raise a child.
I agree. I'm hoping that with new leadership at the district level (Superintendant) and more teacher buy-in and leadership coordination within both schools, we can make this program of creating a culture of service both accessible and rewarding for the students, families and community.
IB Program
Sustainable Efforts- If you look at the history of IB and initial efforts to get this program off the ground, you would have found schools w/dozens of different teachers and hundreds of students. Many of these programs didn't have the staying power to survive their founders. The combination of bureacratic complications and teacher mobility affected the success of these programs. Unfortunately, as is often the case, with the departure of the founding teacher or coordinator, the program would fold.
But by the 1990's, there was a perceptible change in attitudes to such programs. Many of the teachers w/interests in community service and service learning did not move on as many of their predecessors had. In large part, because of this, and I feel we can also get to this place, a body of experience can be sustained by our EHIMS and TMMS faculty. We have low teacher turn-over in PCSD.
The EHIMS and TMMS administration have demonstrated keen interest in supporting the grass-roots initiative of the faculty.
Creating the Program
The first step for any school district considering this program (and we've already adopted it) is to establish the idea of community service as a valued part of life at EHIMS and TMMS, worthy of time and attention of teachers and students. In successful IB programs across the country, a "Director of Community Services" position was created giving that individual a period off from teaching responsibilities to coordinate exisiting activities, nurture new ones, and lay the groundwork. Our district either needs to inlist a teacher in each school to take over this role or let the PC Ed. Foundation hire another Coordinator.
Hallmark of Program
For sheer student involvement, service is considered the hallmark of the IB program.
Already, middle schoolers will have been involved in a significant community service project. These activities and projects are significant in terms of a demonstrable changes in attitude toward responsibility for our fellow man. These are and will continue to be demonstrated in post service reflections written by IB students. As they graduate, the average IB student will possess transcripts showing a 4-year committment to community service and will include references to multiple community service engagements in their college essays.
On behalf of all PCSD students, let us contintue our efforts to implement and sustain this valuable program.
I'm worried about anyone who uses edujargon like "student-centric model" teaching my kids. These are the same watered-down EdD types who came up with building self-esteem and produced a generation of illiterates who feel good abou themselves.
9:58,
I respect what you are saying but you need to communicate in a more direct manner.
Using jargon ads nothing to an argument, in fact it is distracting from your point.
What my complaint is, as listed above, is the disconnect between the vision, which you wrote about, and the implementation.
Many students are not participating in the program and are not involved in the service component.
For those who are involved in service projects, to say that this shows a "change in attitude toward responsibility for our fellow man" is grossly overstating the benefits of this program. The students we know who are actually participating in service projects are already growing up with a strong sense of responsibility and charity instilled in them by family, church, whatever support they already receive. IB is just taking credit.
I wasn't insinuating that IB was taking or should be taking credit for those listed values we instill in our children. I do think that, in general, community service does instill an "informative" sense of these values, as students do hands-on volunteer work. ."
I do believe that as 6th graders progress through IB at TMMS that the programs and expectations increase. I also think more work needs to be done to address the disconnect you are referring to between vision and implementation.
As to the overall philosophical mission of the IB program, I'm for it.
I am for it as well, but I won't drink the Kool-Aid.
We have seen that the biggest proponents of this program, Abdul and others, push the glorious vision of the program, but do nothing about implementation.
They seem to be pushing the ideology behind the vision more than actually implementing the nuts and bolts of the program. Most people are reasonable and don't trust bureaucrats who oversell to cover up their incompetence.
They need to chill with the image and get down to business. In other words they need to shut up and get to work.
Hi bloggers,
I think if you ask the principals at both IB schools and the majority of the teachers that already teach it, that its working. I've heard this takes at least 10 years to implement. Has anyone out there had a good experience with IB? Hey, all I'm getting from this blog jive is major aggro. I think we should have the ability at the beginning of the school year, etc. to "opt out" if so inclined. That way all the kids who are staying in want to be there and those who don't aren't caught up in the ever-spinning wheel of IB. Whatta ya think people?
Absolutely they need that option!
Many already opt out but not officially. To keep them all in just dilutes the efforts of the teachers involved.
Give them the chance then work with the kids who want to do it.
Excellent suggestion.
You obviously cannot please everyone with this system. I like your idea of deciding whether or not your kid will participate. That gives people a choice.
I like choices.
"the average IB student will possess transcripts showing a 4-year committment to community service..."
Nope. Since the High School is NOT (and probably never will be) on-board with the IB program, colleges will never see any reference to the IB program or community service on PCHS transcripts. Even if TMIS put it on their 9th grade transcript, PCHS replaces it with their own 9th-12th grade transcript, so it wouldn't matter anyway.
That brings up another question... Why have an IB Middle Years Program without a high school IB Diploma Program?
THE PCSD IB PROGRAM IS CRAP. No I am not an angry parent whos kid does not fit in with your spoiled brats. No I am not a spoiled teacher who teaches the spoiled brats of park city. No I do not have an anger problem. My problem is the stupid parents of Park City who think they are privilaged and who are raising spoiled disrespectful brats.Cannot blame the kids when the apple does not fall far from the tree
Sue them all taxpayers wasting our money on programs that are ridulous. international my butt teach these kids math skills and how to read. Probably what they need most is social skills and how to behave. Maybe if we taught them like they do in china and Japan we might get somewhere. I kinda like the old catholic school methods whip them into shape that would be nice to add to the IB program we actually might get some responsible park city kids.
Last blogger,
What is wrong with you? Besides the mental health issues?
9:06 blogger,
Thou dost protest too much. You need serious help.
Are we to understand that you are not a teacher, not a parent and not angry. Please.
If you have nothing constructive to add to this issue, please refrain from spewing nonsense and hate.
Are we to understand that all kids and the families here are evil and part of the "unclean?" So you've mentioned this about 40 times so far. What else can you add to the conversation that adds insight or provokes deeper thought? Oh, I forgot, you can't, because you're emotionally stunted, have anger issues that border on postal, and need medication. Nuf said.
Rational comments please.
I am just tired of having my hard earned money that i give to this town wasted on nonsense programs like IB that kids do not appreciate. I did not say the kids were evil and there were unclean families. The HS and elementary kids are fine, its the middle school kids whose parents need to put the reins on. Go to any movie theater and try and enjoy a movie on a weekend evening, Enough said there are many who feelthe way I do, ask some parents who have nice kids that work hard and are victimized. And no it is not my kid, mine are done in this district. That is why I hate still having to pay for this generation.
To 1:56 pm blogger,
Are you aware that the Park City Education Foundation has provided all funding for this program, including professional development costs, program application fees and the PCSD coordinator salary, all at no cost to the tax payer. Where's the beef?
Parents and teachers seem to be angry about the IB MYP, its Coordinator and the education system in general. Any idea about what the kids want? Education in this country is a bit of a shame with "many kids left behind". Forget about NCLB.
The PSCD will do what its whats and when it wants without regard to what anyone wants. IB is another example. Right now it really does not exist, do community service and say it is IB.
abuel Roosoul has done nothing, the teachers are told to make lesson plans so big deal they do a few and its done. It will fade out eventually until the next buzz project comes along
I am not certain if the IB Program will ever be a huge success. I do worry that it is not continued (if the other comment is accurate) through the HS years. I teach in a private school here in Park City, and I believe that what middle school aged kids need these days is accountability and higher standards. The higher you raise the bar, the better they perform. Let them know that they are appreciated, give them the basic skills to be successful, make them responsible for their own actions (or lack there of), and you will see a huge turn around.
There is no "quick fix". There is no "magic wand" that one can wave over a situation to improve it. If Park City, and the rest of the U.S., wants to see students improve, then everyone should begin to raise the level of expectaions applied to today's youth.
Just a few decades ago, 15 year olds were working to help support their families. They had REAL responsibility and were a necessity to the survival of their families. Today, we overload our kids with after school programs and extra-curriculars that add up to nothing more than stressed out kids and parents. Does every child have to make straight "A's", play extreme soccer, play piano, and participate in student government in order to be considered successful?
Sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees... Just because a child is "busy" doesn't mean that he/she is achieving. Start small... responsibility is what our children need to learn-- once they understand that there is really no one to blame but themselves (even for the choices they make at 12 years of age), then maybe; just maybe, we can witness some true success stories.
Just my humble opinion, however.
IB is a positive for the school district. Done right, it enables students to do more than the basics, and to be successful in the world the students of today will experience, the "basics" just don't cut it. The emphasis on testing and remediation at the federal level has resulted in a new educational divide between those who get to do more than learn to read and compute and those who don't. It's interesting that NCLB was supposed to create equity and has ended by creating more inequity. The whole school IB model at the middle school is a great way to enable all students to have the opportunity to go beyond the basics to learn thinking, writing, and responsibility. However, it sure would be easier to work with the willing -- perhaps by returning to two schools- within-a school -- and let willing and interested teachers, parents and students participate in IB and those who want to teach and take unrelated courses in the more traditional model of 6-9 education pursue that. That way, those who do not participate might get a chance to see what IB really is and those who do participate might have the chance to experience the full benefits of the program. It's hard to tell what the program could be when those who don't buy in try to subvert the intent of the program.
IB stands for incompetent bureaucrats!
Last blogger,
Rational and constructive comments please.
IB will never work mark my words it will be gone in three years and never heard from again
When someone says the IB will not work in this country it is cause for concern. The IB itself is made up of three programmes - PYP, MYP and DP. Are we saying all three will not work? Of these three, the first two are sort of easy on kids but the DP is a "rigorous and demanding" programme and really makes students participate in a holisitc educational programe at a pre-university level. PCEF has only experimented with the MYP. If the community of parents, teachers and students are struggling with this programme there is little hope of seeing IB being a success here. No doubt there are other valuable programmes out there - any one ever heard of the Cambridge programmes? These are student and teacher friendly and probably managed better than the IB.
They need to worry about math scores, and learning how to read and write. Forget about the fluff. Lets spend the money are more worthwhile programs
With all the illegal immigrants that are in this town, who needs an international program! We already have one.
It is interesting to note that the lessons learned in the IB program are important lessons carried on through life and not just those that are necessary for college acceptance.
There is a lot more of life out there than just getting into a good college. Gosh, next you have to get a job and then be able to work hard at it.
IB helps to teach you many skills that carry far be on graduating from High School and making it into the college of your choice.
Get rid of IB now so PCSD does not embarrass itself any further. Admit it was a good try but it does not work. The kids that want to do community service and projects let them do it, but it really does not matter once they get to PCHS they do not even recognize Ib
Well since this is about a school blog I will write here. No one did a good job tightening the budget because no one at the top heavy district office suffered. The only ones who will suffer are the students just you wait and see what they have planned. Our current sub sup has assigned himself a new job to make life a little easier for himself but I bet without a pay cut huh
IB is a joke admit it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ready for this????
"Food shortages, rising prices, evictions and foreclosures, layoffs, failed businesses, reduced school funding and a rising crime rate are just some of the impacts critics say could result from new procedures taking effect in mid-September."
hope so..
To the extent that IB promotes a kind of "esprit d'corps" among students, and persuades them to pursue excellence, it is beneficial. People generally like being part of what they consider to be an “elite group” determined to do things better. Fans of sports attach themselves to winning teams because they feel like winners when their team wins. They buy sneaker brands worn by stars because they “wannabe” like Mike. (Sometimes, not often, but sometimes, they actually start exercising.) Smart business owners know it is vitally important to make sure that employees believe that those in charge care about them (witness the GE experiments with lighting conditions in the early 20th century and hundreds of other similar studies). Implementing programs like IB can help create that effect.
The real problem with IB is that it has not been properly instituted in the district.
1.) In Park City, IB exists in the middle-schools only. Without implementation of a pathway through high school, IB loses impact. When it comes time to apply for college, an accredited International Baccalaureate embossed high school degree accompanied by passing the IB exams really does make a difference. Unfortunately, Park City students do not have that option. West High, in Salt Lake does. West came in at 186 on the Newsweek list of top-rated high schools in America, PCHS came in at 216 (we were in the top 200 before). West’s socio-economic demographic is at the other end of the spectrum from PCHS. Maybe they did something right. Maybe (shudder) we could learn from them.
2.) The model adopted PC allowing virtually any student into the program reduces impact yet again. Sort of like saying, "you bet, you can all play football this year, boys, girls, fast, slow, tough or not... everybody plays.” It might make for interesting spectacle, might even land us on CNN for five seconds, but it would make for better comedy than football. Teams do better when the players are limited. Games work better when the best play the best. So do school programs. The irony is that when done right, the whole student body basks in the halo effect of small group of excellent students... and more often than not, they raise their own expectations a bit higher.
In the end, IB is nothing more than a way to add a means of recognition to the transcript of those who enter the program. It creates a kind of school within a school for those interested (in some respects, not unlike a charter-school, without a separate building).
Unless the district is going to apply the whole IB program, they should drop it and focus on academic rigor, college level course work and continuing to improve Advanced Placement test scores. But perhaps implementing IB fully and correctly is a better answer.
In conclusion, I am willing to sign my actual name as opposed to remaining "anonymous." If Nan Chalat-Noker would make this a virtual requirement, this blog might yield better and more reasoned comments.
IB opponents,
Look at the following sample question and tell me if you think there isn't a "left-wing agenda."
Our ENTIRE school district in Texas (Yeah, I thought those still desiring Texas to return to its own Republic days would be screaming about this, but they're not!!) is going IB in the next year or so and they don't even want to tell us if there is a way to educate our son without him drinking the Geneva Kool-Aid.
Happy reading, until you realize what it is they are asking the students to say!! (Hint: the question leads to the intelligence, or lack thereof, of a specific group.)
http://www.responsible-ed.org/socan_HL_paper_1_eng_may_2005.pdf
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