The Diploma Programme Seminole High School for rising juniors

1. The Diploma ProgrammeSeminole High Schoolfor rising juniors

2. “The IB junior year is very much a life changing year.”

3. “All in all, so far my junior year hasn't been that bad at all. The main things I feared last year (Orals and Group IV) are now over, and I can honestly say they weren't nearly as bad as I thought they would be.”

4. “If you continue IB, be prepared to actually work. You can't really slack off and pass.”

5. “With all these courses, simply be prepared to learn time management. The most beneficial aspect that a person will learn in IB is how to work on a little bit of everything each day.”

6. “When deciding on my classes, I talked to a lot of IB graduates, which I recommend that you do (if you don't know anyone talk to teachers that have had past students come back to visit) because it gave me a better sense of the big picture and long term value of my choices. Every single graduate I talked to told me that doing IB was worth it and that college is much easier because of it.  You're increasing your chances of doing well in college, it's not just about getting in!”

7. Agenda • The IB Diploma Program • Core program components • The IB Diploma • The State of Florida High School Diploma • High school transcripts • Six IB subjects as SHS classes • 2010-2011 requested courses • Schedule change process • Stress and the IB student • Communication

8. The International Baccalaureate • Internationally recognized, rigorous, pre-university course of study • Extensive liberal arts curriculum • Prepares student to earn an internationally recognized diploma • Honored by colleges and universities through the world • Curriculum based on international standards and examinations that are evaluated by international educators

9. Why IB? • Because you possess the ability, work ethic, and desire • Because you want the best preparation available for college success • Why not IB? • Because you think it will help you get into a highly selective or Ivy League college • Because your friends are • Because “I’ve been in IB for five years”

10. Diploma candidates:Complete one course from each subject areaComplete the Theory of Knowledge courseComplete the Creative, Action, Service programComplete an Extended Essay IB Diploma Programme

11. IB Diploma Programme Options

12. Extended Essay • Compulsory for Diploma candidates • Begin junior year, due October of senior year • 40 hours • Independent research • Up to 4,000 words • Externally assessed • It provides students with an opportunity to engage in personal research in a topic of their own choice, under the guidance of a supervisor (a teacher in the school). • Students are expected to: • Plan a research project • Formulate a precise research question • Gather and interpret appropriate material • Structure a reasoned argument • Use an appropriate format & terminology • Apply analytical and evaluative skills

13. Theory of Knowledge • Compulsory for Diploma candidates • Critical thinking and integration of knowledge • What we know in various fields of knowledge and how we know it • Make connections among classroom and non-classroom knowledge and experience • Examine the ethics, value judgments, and belief systems of the various disciplines • Taken senior year

14. Creative, Action, Service • 150 hours in three categories • Creative (50 hours) • Product created, designed, developed • Artistic endeavors • Problem solving • Action (50 hours) • Physical exertion • Service (50 hours) • Traditional concept of community service • Organization must be on county approved list • CAS fulfills Bright Futures community service requirement • Begin junior year and extend through March of senior year • One activity extends throughout the 18 month period • Satisfy eight learning outcomes • Meet with CAS advisor prior to activity to ensure approval • May begin August 16

15. Diploma candidates:Complete one course from each disciplineComplete the Theory of Knowledge courseComplete the Creative, Action, Service programComplete an Extended Essay IB Diploma Programme

16. Point Requirements • Minimum points needed for IB Diploma - 24 • IB score scale 1 - 7 • Passing score 4, 5, 6, 7 • Add subject scores together • Highest diploma score possible • 6 subjects x 7 possible points = 42 points • 3 bonus points for TOK & EE • Highest diploma score possible = 45 • SHS Average – 30 to 32 • World Average – 29.5 • European schools looking for 32 • Oxford looking for 39

17. Bonus Points Matrix • F* - 28 points overall will be required to be eligible for the diploma if a student attains an ‘E’ grade in either the extended essay or theory of knowledge. • Attaining a grade ‘E’ in both the extended essay and theory of knowledge continues to represent an automatic failure.

18. Don’t underestimate the value of EE & TOK IB Diploma Results – Class of 2009 • Out of 93 candidates, five did not earn the diploma: • Two of those five earned 23 points and earned no bonus points for EE/TOK. • Of those 88 who did earn the diploma: • Four students earned 23 points and received a bonus point for EE/TOK, raising score to 24.

19. Sample IB Transcript International Baccalaureate Organization Results Summary This is a summary of candidates results in the session May 2007 Personal Details Candidate: May 2007 001147 299 Name: Sammy Nole Category: DIPLOMA Birth Date: 03 APR 1989 Subject Details Grade Subject 4 May 2007 - English A1 HL in English 6 May 2007 – Spanish B SL in Spanish C May 2007 – History EE in English 4 May 2007 – Hist.Americas HL in English 4 May 2006 – Psychology SL in English 5 May 2007 - Chemistry HL in English 6 May 2007 – Mathematics SL in English B May 2007 – Theory Know. TK in English EE/TOK points: 1 Total Points: 30 Result: Diploma awarded

20. State of Florida Diploma

21. Transcripts • Cumulative record of achievement • Grades recommended to continue IB • Colleges use as basis for admission • Rigor • Grades • Test scores • Extra-curriculars • Recommendations

22. Transcripts • By semester • Course code • H/A • Course title • Grade • Attendance • Credit • Audit • Credit Denial • Semester GPA • Dist Wt GPA • FL St. Unwt GPA • Percentile Rank

23. SHS IB Program Standards • IB students will maintain the following standards: • Minimum cumulative weighted gpa of 3.0 and higher • Passing grade in all required PreIB, AP, and IB courses • Recommended that students have no grade lower than “C” • Adhere to the honor code policy* • Adhere to the SHS Code of Conduct • Good attendance • One semester probationary period if standards are not maintained.

24. Making up credits • Student Incentive Program (SIP) • First semester “F” • No more than three unexcused absences second semester • Pass semester two • Pass semester two exam with a “C” or higher • Grades of D and F • Florida Virtual School • Courses for acceleration – Florida Virtual School • Summer School at SHS • Courses for forgiveness ( D or F grades), credit denial, drivers education • Registration forms due April 23 • Semester 1 June 14 -July 1 • Semester 2 July 6-22

25. Summer Opportunities • For advancement: • Florida Virtual School • www.flvs.net • Create student and parent accounts • Add requested course • Notify Mrs. Craft • Seminole State College • 3.0 unweighted cumulative gpa • Register by April 23 • Pass CPT or have minimum SAT/ACT scores • University of Central Florida • Contact Jeff Knizatko at jknizatk@ucf.mail.edu • Collegiate summer programs • Low cost, high selectivity • High cost, low selectivity

26. IB Curriculum at SHS • IB six subjects • SHS six subjects • Course selections made from this progression.

27. “Talk to teachers and students about what the classes are like. Avoid talking to current juniors during stressful weeks, we won't be encouraging. You can handle any class if you organize your time, prioritize and make to do lists!!!!!”

28. 2010-2011 course requests • Please review requested courses • Schedule change: • For any reason prior to the first day of school • Email, call, or submit note in writing • As of the first day of school, school policy: • Courses may be dropped and/or added during the first five days of school ONLY if one of these conditions is met: • 1) you have already earned credit in the course • 2) you failed the prerequisite for the course • 3) you are scheduled for too many or not enough courses • You may not change your schedule because you have changed your mind about a course, you took too many hard classes and now your gpa is lower, or you do not like your lunch period. • Choices • Students may exit IB within first ten days of school, at the end or beginning of a semester. • Choices transfer options

29. 2010-2011 course requests • Making wise decisions • Goal is not to take hardest courses • Listen to recommendations of teachers • Parent override needed to change teacher recommendation • Taking seven academic classes is strongly discouraged • Depression/anxiety • Professional long-term mental health counseling • Parent waiver form • No schedule change

30. To IB or not to IB • Leaving IB? • Submit a signed ‘intent to exit’ letter. • This decision should be made prior to June 9 • Can be made as late as August 20 or 27* • When a signed “Intent to Exit” form is submitted: • If staying at SHS: students will receive a traditional registration form to be completed and returned to Mrs. Craft. • If returning to zoned school: • Complete SHS w/d June 9 • Take w/d paperwork to zoned school for enrollment

31. “Above all, if you take an IB course…please, please don’t take the class because you “think it’s easy”. Either take it because you enjoy it or take it because it will help you in the future.”

32. “Chemistry and Physics are tough. Really tough. You will quickly realize how beautiful a B really is. So study. You can’t blow them off!”

33. “If you're the kind of student who will pass out at a “B”, HL Chemistry is not for you. It is the most difficult, yet most satisfying class I have taken in high school, although it is one of my lowest grades. I feel as if I've learned the most through trial by fire, and it's radically changed my mindset on the world and science.”

34. “No, Biology is not an easy course - Many were fooled by that idea. IB Biology requires a sense of self-studying rather than constant class practices or reviews. It is very difficult for those who are not self-starters.”

35. “The IB foreign language exam is MUCH easier than it seems to be. Just chill out and breathe.”

36. “Economics is NOT the easy way out for a third HL. It is actually kind of hard. Only take it if you can really follow the technicalities of our economy.”

37. Stress and the IB Student • Causes of Stress • Procrastination • Lack of sleep • Having it all • Perfectionism • Taking too rigorous a schedule • Remedy • Document due dates in planner, make mini-deadlines to stay on track, stick to the planner. • No one can have and do everything. Learn to say “no”. • No one is perfect, turn in something. • Temper your enthusiasm – look within yourself.

38. “I'm taking 6 IB Classes, and it's really not that bad at all. My grades aren't as excellent as I'd like…. I have two varsity sports, and have never had to skip a practice because of homework. It just helps to start things when you get them.”

39. “I'm a big fan of taking a non-academic elective for spot number 7. I really believe in a "chill" class, which does not necessarily mean an easy class, but a class that allows you to not be focused on papers, essays, homework, internal assessments, tests and exams constantly. I really believe in a non-academic here - it helped with both extracurriculars and helped reduce workload a bit, while providing a nice A although without the weight of an AP/IB class.”

40. Communication • Progress Reports and Report Cards every 4 ½ wks • P.I.N. – Parent Information Network • Email or phone communication with teachers • IB Email distribution list • Do we have YOUR email address? • Parent, student, teacher conferences

41. Contact us: • Mindi Craft IB Counselor Grades 10-12 (407) 320-5224 mindi_craft@scps.k12.fl.us • Judy Gresham IB Secretary (407) 320-5295 Judy_gresham@scps.k12.fl.us • Mary Cragar IB Coordinator and Assistant Principal (407) 320-5223 Mary_cragar@scps.k12.fl.us