The International Baccalaureate (IB) program aims to address current education issues through challenging programs that promote intercultural understanding. It offers three main programs for primary, middle, and high school students. The IB places an emphasis on developing inquisitive, open-minded learners through internationally-focused curricula drawing from diverse cultures and collaborative learning approaches. It works with over 1,700 schools in the U.S. to help students develop skills for a globalized world with evolving issues.

1. 25 Things You Should Know About the IB Program
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Patricia Fioriello
The International Baccalaureate Program (IB) is one of the hot topics in education that continues to provoke discussion.
Although the international focus of the program addresses current education issues, some in the US are still resistant to
implementing the program.
Here is our list of things you should know about the the International Baccalaureate Program.
1. IB works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging and intensive programs
with an emphasis on current education issues like intercultural understanding and respect.
2. IB’s programs encourage and the hot topics in education include young people all over the world learning how to
become compassionate students of life, understanding and appreciating the diversity of culture.
3. The IB community is focused on five current education issues: 1.) education for all, 2.) peace and conflict, 3.) global
infectious diseases, 4.) the digital divide (access to technology), disasters and emergencies.
4. IB launched a special site, Global engage, so schools can submit their experiences about how they’ve endeavored
to make the world a better place.
5. IB introduced a series of self-contained curriculum programs: the Middle Years Program (MYP) in 1994, the Primary
Years Program (PYP) in 1997, and the Diploma Program (DP) launched in 1969.
6. In 2010, IB introduced the IB Career-Related Certificate (IBCC) so students can further benefit from their education.

2. 7. The PYP program focuses on students aged 3 to 12, and hot topics in education by teaching them to think outside the
box when they’re in school as well as after class is over.
8. The MYP program’s focus is on students from 11 to 16 years of age. It helps students to make the connection between
traditional school subjects and teaches them hot topics in education like essential critical and reflective thinking skills.
9. The Diploma Program focuses on students aged 16 to 19 that helps prepare students for university life and beyond.
10. The Career Certificate program focuses on the current education issues of students aged 16 to 19 and is aimed at
students who are looking to get a head start on their careers.
11. Programs are focused on creating citizens of the world via “international education”, including culture, language and
harmony with their fellow man.
12. IB works to reinforce students’ sense of identity while encouraging cultural awareness of the world.
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Meets Montessori Education
13. Programs stress the stimulation of curiosity and inquiry.
14. IB makes certain to encourage diversity and flexibility in teaching methods whenever possible.
15. All three International Baccalaureate Programs require study across a broad range of hot topics in education and
draws on inspiration from cultures around the world.
16. IB provides for students to learn individually and also collaboratively, including lesson planning and research.
17. IB’s programs also include an element of community service in their curriculums.
18. All of IB’s programs come in several different languages, including English, Spanish, French and even Chinese.
19. The IB offers short-term grants to schools that are facing current education issues or are working to increase their
access to any and all of the programs that IB offers.
20. The IB site offers a virtual community that includes essential social networking functionality, such as blogs, wikis,
discussion forums, file uploading as well as individual profiles and group functionality.
21. The IB website includes information and applications for schools with current education issues that would like to offer
any or all of the IB programs.
22. The website is also broken up into several hot topics in education, including resources for principals, educators,
parents, staff and students.
23. There are 1765 schools in the United States currently offering one or more of the curriculums that IB have created.
24. The International Baccalaureate Program was created as a non-profit, student-centered program focused on hot
topics in education and helping students learn how to live, work and learn in a constantly changing world.
25. The World Schools go through an exhaustive authorization process, which includes a study of the school’s current
education issues as well as dedication to the IB mission statement and philosophy.