IB Diploma

Overview for Grade 11 and 12 IB Diploma Programme of Studies

Course credit is described under assessment.

The Bali International School IB Diploma Program of Studies - Grades 11 and 12

The academic program for Grades 11 and 12 has the International Baccalaureate Programme as its core curriculum. It is designed as a comprehensive and academically demanding curriculum, which is recognized internationally as an excellent preparation for university. Based on the educational tradition of no single country, it represents the desire to provide students of different linguistic, cultural and educational backgrounds with the intellectual, social and critical perspectives necessary for the adult world that lies ahead in today's global society.

To qualify for the award of an IB Diploma students must choose six subjects; three subjects at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL). It requires students toengage in the study of Languages, Sciences, Mathematics, and Individuals and Societies over a two year period. It is a deliberate compromise between the preference of specialisation in some countries and the breadth often preferred in others. The intent is that students learn how to learn, how to analyse and how to reach considered conclusions about languages, literature, society and the scientific nature of our global environment. The six subjects must be chosen by selecting one from each of the following groups:

Normally a student will choose Higher Level Courses that correspond to their strongest subject and areas of particular interest. This may well relate to future college, university subject selections, if known.

In addition to these academic subjects students will also undertake

1. Extended Essay
2. Theory of Knowledge (TOK) Instruction
3. Creativity, Action and Service (CAS)

Conditions for the Award of an IB Diploma

Each of the six academic subjects is graded on a 1 to 7 scale (1 is poor, 7 is excellent) in the final examination. A maximum of three bonus points are awarded according to the combined standard of a student’s TOK and Extended Essay work. Therefore, the maximum points total is 45. To qualify for the IB Diploma, the student must achieve a minimum of 24 points, submit an Extended Essay, and have fulfilled the CAS and TOK requirements. There are additional conditions that will be detailed during orientation.

TheBISA Program

Some students will find they are better suited to an IB Certificate course. This means they do not follow the full IB Diploma program. They must take a minimum of six subjects, some school based subjects and some IB courses. The student must qualify, however, for the BIS Diploma and may take a balance of IB courses and sit for individual subjects at the examination session. Grades are awarded for each subject taken and an IB certificate is awarded on successful achievement in the examination of a specific course.

Extended Essay

The purpose of this essay is to develop skills in the methods of critical research. Students will choose one of their subjects, which are of particular interest, most usefully the one they plan to study at university, and select a topic for research. With the guidance of a teacher advisor they will work to produce an essay of a maximum of four thousand words. Past experience has shown that the majority of students derive intense satisfaction from the completion of a very thorough, personal piece of research.

Theory of Knowledge

The purpose of the course is to enable students to step back from the immediate demands of their six subjects and to ask some fundamental and critical questions about "knowledge". What are the different means by which we acquire knowledge? Are all forms of knowledge equally valid? Are there types of knowledge beyond the empirical and logical forms? To what extent do "values" constitute a form of knowledge? Theory of Knowledge is, above all, a course in rigorous, critical thinking. It is assessed in two ways

• An essay on a given title that is assessed externally.
• A presentation that is assessed internally.

The Award of Bonus Points

Bonus points may be awarded at the IB examination depending on the combined standard of a student's TOK and Extended Essay work. According to the quality of work produced for each, a candidate will be awarded one of the five grades, A - E. The following matrix shows the number of bonus points awarded for all possible combinations of the five grades:

Receiving an “E” for a student’s TOK or Extended Essay work constitutes a failing condition for students with less than 28 points. Receiving an E for either is a failing condition regardless of points earned.

Selecting a Program

When planning a course of study students should bear the following in mind:
  

1. One subject from each of the six subjects groups must be taken.
2. The same subject cannot be taken at both Higher and Standard Level
3. Three subjects must be taken at the Higher Level and three at the Standard Level
4. To gain the IB Diploma a student must have at least one Language A.
5. Self-Taught Language A should be the student's mother tongue language and may be studied at SL only.
6. Candidates may not take the same language at both Language A and Language B Level.
7. There are several conditions for the approval of an externally taught Language A that must be discussed and approved by the IB Diploma coordinator. In addition to those required for Self-Taught students, tutors must demonstrate a good command of English, the experience or ability to set oral assessments, guarantee course teaching for a two-year period, and provide periodic feedback to the IB Coordinator/ Self-Taught Supervisor including the completion of end and mid-semester reports.
8. There are several conditions for the approval of enrollment in Pamoja on-line courses that must be discussed and approved by the IB Diploma coordinator.
9. Payment for IB examinations is separate from school fees. The cost of completing the full Diploma examination is in the region of US$700.
10. The school reserves the right to withdraw courses for which there is not a viable enrollment. An alternative choice will be arranged. 

Further study

The School Counsellor is available to give guidance about tertiary programs and assistance in pursuing entrance to colleges and universities around the world.The Academic Counsellor or IB DP Coordinator can explain the international recognition of the IB DP. The Counselling Resources Library contains useful reference books about the required entry standard for specific universities from around the world.

Students with the IB Diploma have entered more than 700 universities in some 70 countries. Many colleges in the U.S. readily accept students with the IB, and may give credit for Higher Level IB DP courses. They recognize that applicants who have taken the IB are not only well prepared for university study, but also have a willingness to complete such a rigorous program that speaks well of their academic potential.

Students intending to study at German, Italian or French universities need to consult the High School Counsellor or IB Coordinator when selecting subjects because these countries have special requirements.

The above guidelines are of a general nature. All universities have different entrance requirements. The best sources of information are the prospectuses from universities. Copies of the prospectuses of some universities in the UK, Europe, USA, Canada and Australia are available in the Counselling Resource Library. If a university prospectus is not available, writing to the university concerned and requesting the information may obtain it. Most universities and colleges have established websites that are easily accessible from the school’s IT network.

Calendar

The two year programme is organised so that the workload is paced as follows:

An academic calendar is issued to parents and students prior to the start of each school year that gives times of reports and parent evenings. Assessments are posted on assessment calendars specific to each grade.