Focus on TUSD - November 2007

Cholla Challenge
International Baccalaureate Program to Start in Fall 2008
A lot of work went into getting the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme approved for Cholla High Magnet School. But even more work will begin next fall when the first students enroll in the rigorous, high profile program that uses a global emphasis to prepare students for college.

Joyce Meyer, the Cholla teacher who will be the IB director, was notified Oct. 23 that Cholla is the only Tucson school authorized to offer the program. It is the 13th IB program in Arizona.

Students who complete the program have a golden ticket to the college of their choice, Meyer said. Many colleges also offer scholarships to students with an IB diploma.

Arizona State University is considering giving IB diploma holders 24 credits when they enroll. Universities in Texas, Florida, Colorado and other parts of the county already issue these credits.

"The growth of the IB diploma is relatively new across the U.S., so students need to seek out universities which understand the rigor behind the diploma and compensate the students accordingly, Meyer said.

But before students reach this step, they must complete the intensive two-year IB program that for the first year covers Language (English), a Second Language (Spanish and German), Individuals and Societies (History of the Americas), Experimental Science (Biology and Chemistry), Mathematics (Math Studies) and The Arts (Theater and Visual Arts). More classes that fit into the subject areas will be added later, such as European History, World Geography, Physics, Computer Science and Music and Dance

Students also must take Theory of Knowledge, an interdisciplinary requirement central to the educational philosophy of the IB program. Students will be challenged to critically think about what they know and form conclusions about whether their judgment is well grounded. They will assess other cultural perspectives, become aware of subjective and ideological biases and examine ways of knowing what they believe is true.

As a final project, IB students will each write a 4,000-word extended essay that requires at least 40 hours of private study. Students will also contribute 150 hours to fulfill the creative, action and service requirement, including 100 hours designing and implementing a community or world support project.

"This helps them become part of the global society," Meyer said. "You learn everyone is not just like us."

Each year, IB assesses over 40,000 students with about 80 percent receiving the IB diploma.

Even with the degree of work required, 10th-grader Ashley Hill is excited about signing up. "I really wanted to get this program here," she said. "I'll have a better chance to go to college and get a better education. I want to be a doctor and this program will help me with math so I can get ready for college."

Her classmate, Letrice Harris, agreed, saying the program would be a great advantage for her because she wants to be a lawyer and has many years of college ahead of her.

Meyer warned students that the IB program would not "be a walk in the park." She said its rigorous requirements put it on par with a college level curriculum.

The IB program will be a drawing card for Cholla, especially because it already has an intercultural emphasis as a magnet school, Meyer pointed out. "It will give excellent students who couldn't get into University High School a chance to have an exceptional education," she said. "It is a boost to West Side students, too."

Next fall, Meyer plans to have 50 students signed up, and then to increase the program by 50 students a year until it's capped at 400.

-- By Sharon Dunham
Communications & Media Relations

TUSD - Proud Supporter of Small Classes

Photos in the November issue by Jes Ruvalcaba of Communications & Media Relations, unless otherwise noted.

The deadline to submit material for the December Focus is Friday, Nov. 7. The Focus will be published Monday, Nov. 17. Email submissions to Chyrl Hill Lander or Sharon Dunham in the Communications & Media Relations Department or use the online Tip Sheet.