What is district’s IB program really providing our community?
As District 833 begins the process of budget cuts, it is important that board members look at the costly implementation and maintenance of the International Baccalaureate program. Very few students in the district graduate from the IB program and the cost per pupil is higher than for regular students. Costs for an IB program are more than $200,000 per school plus ongoing continuing education costs.
As District 833 begins the process of budget cuts, it is important that board members look at the costly implementation and maintenance of the International Baccalaureate program. Very few students in the district graduate from the IB program and the cost per pupil is higher than for regular students. Costs for an IB program are more than $200,000 per school plus ongoing continuing education costs.
Students in the district can get a highly competitive, globally-focused K-12 education from a regular school program. According to the South Washington County Program of Studies, students have a wide range of academic options, which include: advanced placement, college in the schools, post-secondary education opportunities and many more.
IB undermines and minimizes the state learning standards put in place by local educators and state legislatures, creating a global curriculum over which local parents and teachers have no say. It is the most expensive educational reform program available. Elected school board members must understand that allocating extra taxpayer dollars to pay for IB programs during these difficult economic times is detrimental to our entire district.
It is time for a review of the cost per IB graduate as compared to the cost per graduate through other accelerated programs. Is it fiscally responsible to continue an “in vogue” IB program which cost three to seven times more than our well proven standard accelerated programs?
Efforts to increase student achievement must have measurable expectations and be cost effective for our district. There is almost no evidence IB increases proficiency in reading or math for academic strugglers or helps close the achievement gap in districts similar to 833.
Given the elaborate cost and the lack of measurable outcomes, the district must seriously consider if continuation of the IB program is in the best interest of our community.
Susan Richardson - Woodbury
Tags: letters to the editor, opinion, updates
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