American curriculum versus IB curriculum

The type of curriculum decides what level and style of education you will get. The American curriculum is a standards-based, balanced curriculum that focuses on the holistic development of a child. However, it needs to be accredited by one of the six accreditation authorities. The IB curriculum stands for International Baccalaureate curriculum, in which you can transfer from a school in one country to another without hassle.

 

Education stages in the IB curriculum

• The Primary Years Programme (ages 3 to 12)

• Middle Years Program (Ages 11–16)

• The Diploma Program (Age 16–19)

• The International Baccalaureate Career Related Program (IBCP) (Ages 16–19)

Education stages in the American curriculum

• Elementary school (Age 4–11): Kindergarten to Grade 5

• Grades 6-8 in middle school (ages 11-14).

• Grades 9-12 in high school (until the age of 18)

Grading system

IB curriculum

• The IB curriculum grades students on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 being the highest.

• The score is made up of two components: DP Core (ToK and extended essay), which is graded A-E, and Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS), which is graded pass-fail.

• On joining ToK and EE scores, a student obtains 1-3 points, and 42 points are earned through attending 6 IB classes, the total of which becomes 45.

• For an IB diploma, the minimum score required is 24.

American curriculum

• The assessment is marked in informal, low-pressure ways such as class discussions, quizzes, projects, and assignments.

• The assessments create a learning portfolio for students, from which their qualification status is determined.

• The parents get online access to their students' grades for all assessments.

Key differences

 

Value addition from the IB curriculum

• Students get enough exploration time to decide their prominent interest area due to the student-oriented pace of education.

• It fosters strong teacher-student relationships and promotes open discussions within the community.

• It provides enhanced learning at a personal level. The teaching style supports students in their style of gaining an education.

Value addition from the American curriculum

• It instills a global mindset in the students. It is best for students who wish to study and live abroad in the midst of global affairs.

• The curriculum builds maturity in students, as they are supposed to write research papers and do community service projects.

• The liberal arts philosophy is imitated, which university students easily adapt to.