Let IB facts speak for themselves

Listening respectfully to opposing views is essential to forming educated opinions. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, everyone is not entitled to their own set of FACTS. The words that follow will educate the public about the true facts behind the highly regarded International Baccalaureate Program.

• INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE IS PRO-AMERICAN

The current Director General of the International Baccalaureate (IB) World Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, is an American man named Jeffrey R. Beard. He was born and educated in the United States. Officer Beard graduated from the US NAVAL ACADEMY in 1972. He continues to be directly involved with the Naval Academy on many levels (IBO.org). West Point Military Academy Officer Bill Taylor, a member of the Congressman's Academy Selection Panel, was quoted on a West Point blog saying "as to International Baccalaureate, West Point Admissions is very aware of them and an IB Diploma will be highly regarded" (www.westpoint.com/blog). These respected Military Service Academies provide the United States with the military leadership to protect our great nation. One would assume that the academic transcript of a candidate seeking appointment to a military academy would be subject to intense scrutiny. Officers in the United States of America Military Academies exemplify patriotism and embrace the IB curriculum.

• IB KEEPS GOOD COMPANY IN AFFILIATION WITH UNESCO

In 2003, Former First Lady Laura W. Bush, was the Honorary Travelling Fellow for UNESCO (www.state.gov/p/10/unesco/103476htm). Here are a few of the 322 organizations that share the same IB affiliation with UNESCO:

The Red Cross

Rotary Club

Lions Club

Boy Scout

Girl Scouts

Schools for the Blind and Deaf

YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association)

YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association)

Young Christian Workers

World Union Christian Federation

International Federation of Catholic Universities

International Young Catholic Students

Montessori

World Water Assessment Program

International Police Association

Disabled People's International

Please review the entire list available at UNESCO.org.

• A SOUND INVESTMENT

You may remember that in May 2006 a levy passed by a public vote which supported the public schools in Coeur d'Alene District 271 and the IB programs. The start up costs for the IB programs were covered by that levy. In recent years, the Hayden Meadows staff and parents have worked hard to assume the costs of the IB annual fee, teacher training and materials through our school fundraisers. The only other PYP school in the state of Idaho charges a tuition of $6,500 per student per year (Joe Kennedy, Founder of the IB Riverstone School in Boise). Hayden Meadows can provide the same great, world-renowned education at the cost of approximately $20 per child per year. LCHS has 260 students enrolled in IB classes for next year. IB students typically take more than one IB class and will fill 646 seats at LCHS. This is an increase of 400 percent since 2007 (LCHS IB Numbers Sheet). Next year, it is estimated that the IB program at LCHS will cost approximately $20,000. This is about $77 per student per year. This equates to less than 1 percent of the entire district school budget (Coeur d'Alene School District Budget Office). The academic success of our children is certainly worth this investment.

• IB TEACHERS

ARE THE EXPERTS

IB teacher's in the district have completed a minimum of 20 hours of additional training to become IB teachers. These are all intelligent college graduates, some with post-graduate degrees. Our teachers are the experts in IB. If you have ever attended an IB class or visited Hayden Meadows and walked through the hallways, you will see the openness that IB embraces. IB teachers are your source to verify this information.

• IB IS HIGHLY REGARDED AMONG THE BEST UNIVERSITIES

More than 800 universities in the U.S. alone recognize the IB Diploma as a mark of academic excellence (IBO.org). The University of Idaho, Gonzaga University, Brigham Young University, BSU, Whitworth University, WSU, EWU and Whitman College all honor and recognize IB and give college credit to students who have excelled in IB courses (info. obtained from individual Web sites). Many prestigious colleges and universities around the U.S. take note of IB students. Take a look at some of these quotes.

• The University of Washington Web site states: "The UW encourages and applauds students who have chosen IB courses as part of their high school curriculum. These courses are challenging and demanding and we believe they provide excellent preparation for university study."

• Harvard University's Director of Admissions, Marilyn McGrath Lewis, states "IB is well known to us for excellent preparation. Success in an IB program correlates well with success at Harvard. We are always pleased to see the credentials of the IB Diploma Program on the transcript."

• Duke University's Christoph Guttentag, The Director of Undergraduate Admissions states, "One of the advantages of an IB curriculum is its structure and quality. It is a coordinated program, well-established, well-known and well-respected. We know the quality of IB courses, and we think the IB curriculum is terrific."

• Vanderbilt University's William Shain, Dean of Undergraduate of Admissions, states" We have always been supporters of the International Baccalaureate. It is a thoughtful and genuinely intellectual curriculum with an unusually high degree of integrity and connectedness. There is no other curriculum anywhere that does a superior job of both educating students and inspiring a true and broard-based love of learning."

• Southern Methodist University "believes that the rigorous IB curriculum provides a unique opportunity for students to develop habits of mind and the time management skills necessary to succeed at this University. Up to $12,000 annually will be given as a merit scholarship depending on IB scores."

• STAGGERING ACCEPTANCE RATES OF IB STUDENTS

IB students have also been shown to have a college admissions advantage over non-IB students. There is a complete list of College Acceptance Rates for IB and non-IB students online that sites more than 150 U.S. Colleges and Universities (IBO.org). A student does not have to receive an IB Diploma to get college credit for IB classes taken. Here is a sample of some regional universities reflecting comparison acceptance rates that are not included on the chart below. Of all the students who apply to the University of Washington, 68 percent are accepted. Of all IB Diploma students who apply, 92.5 percent are accepted. At the University of Puget Sound, University of Oregon and Oregon State University, 100 percent of IB Diploma students have been accepted (2003 Student Survey of Colleges and Universities/acceptance rates). The following is a chart of some of the top colleges and universities in the nation. Please pay close attention to the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy acceptance rates below.

Note: Acceptance rates for all applicants were provided by each respective institution. Acceptance rates for IB applicants based on self-reported survey of more than 5,000 IB students in the U.S. entering colleges as freshmen during fall, 2002.

• FREEDOM

OF CHOICE

We all agree that freedom is what this great nation is founded upon. Hayden Meadows and LCHS IB programs are "Schools of Choice." Regardless of where you live, you can choose to apply to attend one of these excellent schools. Hayden Meadows invites you to come and visit our great school and see what the kids are learning. Hayden Meadows is more than happy to share our curriculum and answer any questions you may have. LCHS also welcomes the public to visit their school and sit in on IB classes. The IB curriculum can be found at cdaschools.org. By attending the May 17 School of Choice Workshop at LCHS, you will be able to learn about the other five "schools of choice" available to children throughout Coeur d'Alene District 271.

The IB programs encourage students to spend less time repeating opinions masquerading as knowledge and more time developing the intellectual discipline and media literacy to search for concrete facts. I encourage the community to do the same.

Katie Kladar is a Hayden resident.