Academics: International Baccalaureate & Advanced Placement
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and Advanced Placement (AP) are two prestigious academic curricula found in boarding schools offering rigorous college-preparation academics. While both programs offer significant benefits and have similar aims, they differ substantially in structure, philosophy, and the way they present their subject material. In this article, we'll examine these differences in order to help you make informed decisions about which program works best for you.
Canva generated this picture of students taking a practice AP test.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a comprehensive two-year curriculum designed for students aged 16-19. Established with a global perspective, the IBDP aims to develop students who excel not only intellectually but also physically, emotionally, and ethically.
Established in 1968, the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) was the first programme offered by the IB and is taught to students aged 16-19. Source: IB.org
Teacher Training and Lesson Planning
One of the questions to ask when you are researching schools, is what training, certifications, and experience their IB or AP teachers have.
Teacher Training International Baccalaureate (IB)
To teach IB courses, teachers typically need specialized training and certification.
- The International Baccalaureate Organization offers various levels of certification, including the IB Certificate in Teaching and Learning, which requires completing a recognized program of study.
- For higher-level certifications, such as the IB Advanced Certificate in Teaching and Learning Research, teachers must have at least three years of IB teaching experience and a master's degree or higher in a relevant field.
- Read the IB's Free Learning page to get an overview of the three levels to the IB's programmes.
Advanced Placement (AP)
While there are no specific certification requirements for teaching AP courses, the College Board recommends that teachers have a bachelor's degree in the subject area and at least three years of teaching experience.
- Teachers are encouraged to participate in professional development opportunities like the AP Summer Institutes to ensure they are well-equipped to teach AP-level material.
- Visit the Teachers page for an overview of the resources available.
This video from the College Board shows how to become an AP teacher.
Lesson Planning International Baccalaureate (IB)
In IB programs, teachers are encouraged to design their own lesson plans using a framework that emphasizes inquiry-based learning and critical thinking.
- The IB framework includes key questions that guide lesson planning, focusing on the purpose of each lesson and how it contributes to student learning.
- Teachers often collaborate to develop and refine their lesson plans, ensuring alignment with IB principles and student needs.
Advanced Placement (AP)
AP teachers may use pre-approved syllabi and lesson plans provided by College Board-endorsed providers.
- These include formative assessments and professional development resources.
- However, teachers also have the flexibility to create their own lesson plans as long as they meet the College Board's course standards through the AP Course Audit process.
- This allows for some autonomy in teaching methods while ensuring consistency with AP curriculum requirements.
Any course that a school labels “AP” must receive authorization through a process called the AP Course Audit, which confirms teacher awareness of course scope and occasional exam changes and ensures that confidential practice exams and other resources are only accessible to real AP teachers verified by a school administrator. Source: College Board
Summary
IB Teachers
Require specialized certification and training, often preparing their own lesson plans within the IB framework.
AP Teachers
Benefit from recommended professional development but do not need specific certifications. They can use pre-approved lesson plans or create their own, provided they meet College Board standards.
What impresses me is the control that both IB and AP exert over their curricula and teaching methods to preserve the integrity and consistency of their approaches. This control is the reason why students who have passed AP or IB courses are universally recognized as ready to do academic work at the college level.
Structure and Curriculum
The IB Diploma Programme is organized around six subject groups and a core curriculum that distinguishes it from other programs:
Six Subject Groups:
- Studies in Language and Literature
- Language Acquisition
- Individuals and Societies
- Sciences
- Mathematics
- The Arts
The Core Elements:
- Theory of Knowledge (TOK): Students reflect on the nature of knowledge and how we know what we claim to know
- Extended Essay: An independent, self-directed research project culminating in a 4,000-word paper
- Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): Projects related to these three concepts that encourage students to engage with their communities
The IB Diploma Programme requires students to take courses from all subject areas, creating a holistic educational experience that emphasizes depth of understanding and interconnectedness of knowledge.
The IB's Diploma Programme (DP) is recognized and respected by the world’s leading universities, and evidence suggests that higher rates of DP students go on to university and higher education study than non-IB students. Source IB.org
Assessment Approach
IB assessments are primarily written responses that require students to demonstrate conceptual understanding rather than just factual knowledge.
- The program evaluates student work as direct evidence of achievement against stated course goals.
- Assessments occur at the end of the two-year program and include both externally assessed examinations and coursework.
This video from the International Baccalaureate explains the IB programmes.
Advanced Placement Program
Advanced Placement, developed by the College Board in 1955, offers students the opportunity to take college-level courses while still in high school.
Structure and Curriculum
Unlike the comprehensive approach of IB, AP allows students to select individual courses based on their interests and strengths:
- Students can take one AP class or several.
- AP courses typically last a semester or two, compared to IB's two-year commitment.
- AP courses generally cover a wider breadth of information but with less depth than comparable IB courses.
Assessment Approach
AP assessments tend to be more multiple-choice oriented, focusing on testing factual knowledge.
Exams are administered at the end of each course, and students scoring three or higher (on a five-point scale) may earn college credit or advanced placement at thousands of colleges and universities worldwide.
“AP assessments tend to be very multiple-choice heavy in assessing ... factual knowledge, whereas IB assessments are almost exclusively written responses,” he says, “so it requires students to understand the content but also to demonstrate that they have a clear conceptual understanding of what they're learning.” Source: US News
Key Differences Between IB and AP Philosophy and Focus
The most significant difference between these programs lies in their educational philosophy:
- IB aims to promote global awareness and critical thinking through a holistic approach
- AP helps high school students focus on subjects directly related to their interests and career goals
Depth vs. Breadth
- IB courses tend to go into more depth, encouraging inquiry-based and student-centered learning.
- AP courses usually cover a wider breadth of information with less time spent on each aspect.
Flexibility vs. Structure
- AP offers more flexibility, allowing students to choose individual courses that align with their strengths
- IB requires commitment to a comprehensive program with specific requirements across multiple disciplines
Recognition and Global Perspective
- AP is more widely recognized within the United States
- IB has more substantial international recognition, benefiting students applying to universities outside the United States
Making the Right Choice
When deciding between AP and IB, students should consider:
Personal Interests and Goals
- If you have specific academic or career interests, AP courses might provide targeted preparation.
- If you seek a broad education with an international perspective, IB may be preferable.
College Admissions
- Both programs demonstrate academic rigor to college admissions officers.
- Research specific colleges to determine if they have preferences or offer more credit for one program over the other.
Commitment Level
- AP allows students to select individual challenging courses without committing to an entire program.
- The IB requires significant time commitment to complete the full diploma requirements.
School Availability
Not all schools offer both programs, and some may have more offerings in one program than the other.
Conclusion
- Both the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and Advanced Placement program offer valuable opportunities for academically motivated high school students.
- The IB program provides a comprehensive, internationally-focused education emphasizing depth, critical thinking, and holistic development. AP offers flexibility to pursue college-level coursework in specific areas of interest or strength.
- Which program is better ultimately depends on individual student goals, learning preferences, and post-secondary plans.
- Many students find success with either program, and some even combine elements of both to create a personalized, challenging curriculum that best prepares them for their future.
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