School board, FHS staff examine IB program

By Aaron Engebretson

The District 5 school board is interested in the proposed International Baccalaureate program ­ and wants to know if FHS’s staff feels the same.

“I think the IB program is a very exciting project for FHS and our district,” said board member Eve Dixon. “If the staff supports the program and if we don’t financially shut anyone out of the program that would normally be taking AP classes, then I feel the board would look at it favorably.”

Last Thursday an IB team consisting of Geoff Hughes, Mark Armstrong, Stephanie Christensen and Sue Brown made staff presentations on the program. During the meetings, members of the team, along with parents, stressed that IB would raise the academic bar at FHS.

“I think the program would  be really good for the students,” said chemistry teacher Todd Morstein. “With the way the budgets are right now I didn’t know if we can afford it.”

The IB program allows students to pursue a full IB “diploma,” or just take IB classes, which could get them college credit, similar to AP classes.

 Students who enroll in the full diploma program must take six IB subject classes ­ native language, foreign language, individuals & societies, experimental sciences, mathematics, and arts. Diploma candidates are also required to take a Theory of Knowledge class, write a 4,000-word extended essay and participate in CAS­Creativity, Action and Service- projects.

“It will be an  opportunity to learn in a more open-minded setting that is internationally focused,” said sophomore Jessica Ford. “And knowing that you can perform on an international level”

If the IB program gets the go-ahead from the school board, it could follow this timeline:

• ‘98-‘99 ­ FHS has one teacher from each discipline and a counselor IB certified. Application to IB and review of programs. Visitation by an IB team.

• ‘99-’2000 ­ FHS begins to teach some IB classes but could still not administer the final exams. 

• ‘00 ­ FHS eligible for testing, certificates, higher level courses.

• ‘02 ­ Full diploma candidates.

The IB program would cost an estimated $50,000 for the first two years, and of that $20,000 would go to teacher training, a unique component of the IB system.

“Because a teacher is teaching about one IB class a day, it has effects upon the rest of the classes they teach as well,” said English teacher Sue Brown. “The program pulls the whole school up.” 

About The Arrow | Arrow front page