I have to admit that I seem to have missed the first few postings under this subject heading, so I'm not sure what the debate is around the IB program. But, I will post my thoughts. I am a graduate of the International Baccalaureate program. The IB program was an invaluable tool for me. I began in the pre-IB program at Anwantin and graduated from the program at Patrick Henry. IB was instrumental in opening college doors to me, preparing me for post-secondary academic life, and providing me with the analytical and critical thinking tools to be successful academically and in the real world. The focus of the program in cross-cultural learning and inquiry as well as a balance between the liberal arts and sciences provided me with a firm, broad educational foundation. I credit my interest in subjects ranging from phsyics to South African literature to the IB program. While students in the rest of the school were watching videos, we were reading Achebe, debating Columbus, studying advanced chemistry, and delving into questions surrounding the basic functions of education and inquiry. The International Baccalaureate program is a program that builds successful students that are well served by their public education. While I have no empirical evidence to back up the statement I am about to make, I firmly believe that the IB programs at Henry and Southwest have added to the quality of students leaving the Minneapolis Public Schools.
But, in the end, I believe the most important portion of my IB education was that my instructors expected me to succeeded, they provided me with the tools and skills necessary to critical analyze information presented to me as "truth" and "fact," and then demanded that I use those skills as opposed to the standardized regurgitation that often passes as education in this country. If more programs were run like IB and less by the standardized memorization test models, I believe our students would be more successful, and we would all benefit from having well-rounded, thoughful, critical individuals making decisions about our world.
-Brandon Lacy Campos -Powderhorn Park -1995 IB Graduate!
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