IB: Choice key to education

I’m new to the IB discussion. I attended the  informational meeting at the library on Monday.  I assumed there would be information for both sides, but it was about why we shouldn’t have the program and its' "socialist” connotations.

Well educated, and well traveled globally, I came to Idaho 10 years ago for family values, and a community embracing educational choices, which included private schools which were expensive, “magnet” schools were on the radar, and the homeschooling network was becoming a national icon.  Our son did well at Hayden Meadows, but for middle school, he needed more challenge.

We are grateful for the choice of the Charter Academy, where our son has thrived both academically and in his world perspective. Charter may not be for everyone, but the point is, we have choice.

And choice is how I am looking at the IB situation. Our educational system is dying.  District 271 is trying new ways. I respect the effort. There are over 1,100 IB schools in this country, and the Charter, Magnet and IB models are growing leaps and bounds.

At the meeting, someone suggested the IB program promotes a socialist attitude. Isn't going back to the old "one size fits all" style of education a form of socialism? Just a thought.

Our country is about freedom of choice – religion, diet, speech, clothes we wear, where we live – why can’t it also be about choice of educational styles for our kids?

MELANIE HAWK

Hayden