Just wondering about the benefits of the IB Diploma.

The end of the first semester is upon us with that the craziness of the mid-term exams, grading and report cards is also behind us. Meanwhile, 10th graders also submitted their options forms for next year. What a delicate moment for students and families! Beyond the typical IB Diploma meetings with parents and students, I had the real pleasure to have individual meetings with many families. Invariably the conversation started with questions around the benefits of the IB Diploma. I never really stepped back and thought about the meaning of the term “benefits” but now I want to spend some time and to think about this: the benefits for whom and for what?

First of all, the IB Diploma has lots of positive aspects but I would like to focus on the holistic approach of the programme. Not many High School programmes offer this variety of courses and components at such high level (read this recent study on IB Diploma maths courses versus other maths courses from other widely recognised educational systems) and the IB Diploma focuses on the education of the whole child preparing for the challenges of university and beyond. When I start meetings like this, I often have parents nodding but this is not exactly what they want to hear.

In fact, when the phrase “benefits of the IB Diploma” is used, I do not necessarily think of “is it required to go to university”. I see! We are talking about those kinds of “benefits”. And of course, I can talk about the university requirements in the US, Canada or Europe, but then I find myself asking fifteen or sixteen year old students: “where do you want to study after High School?” And for a number of good reasons (family connections, passports, visas, budget…) I realise that there is little or no hesitation to answer that question and students have already a firm idea of where they want to go and study after High School.

Here we are again. The diktats of universities are driving students and parents’ decisions. Instead of asking, “is it a requirement for university?” I have tried to encourage students and parents to operate a shift and rather ask, “is it the right fit for me/my child now?” or even “by following this programme will I/my child grow as a student and as a person?”

This is why I believe it to be crucial to connect with families to explain what the IB Diploma really is. The options form is not just a piece of paper with teachers’ and parents’ signatures. It does have a significant importance and those options must particularly reflect the right level of challenge for each student. The challenge is obviously different for everyone and I enjoy working with students and parents to define what that challenge might be. There must be the right balance of data analysis, emotions and intuition. A nice ToK mix!

For what it’s worth…