Press release—13 September 2006

US Department of Education awards IB North America $1.08 million

Advanced Placement Incentive Grant to Boost Low-Income Student Participation

New York, NY, IB, September 13, 2006 – The US Department of Education has awarded International Baccalaureate North America (IBNA) a $1,081,800 Advanced Placement Incentive (API) Grant over a three-year period, with an initial award of $460,200 for 2007. The Advanced Placement Incentive Program boosts participation of low-income students in advanced courses and tests through teacher training, curriculum development and supplies.

Building upon a 2003 US Department of Education grant to expand access to the IB Middle Years Program for middle schools, the API Grant award aims to help increase the number of low-income students participating in the IB Diploma Program for high schools and the number of low-income students passing IB Diploma exams nationwide. As part of the grant, IB North America will target 50 Title I schools with approximately 30,000 students.

“We are thrilled that the US Department of Education sees the International Baccalaureate as a vital partner in making advanced academic programs available to all students,” said Brad Richardson, Regional Director of IBNA. “Together, we will build on our earlier successes introducing IB programs into Title I schools and increasing the number of studentsparticipating in IB programs.”

Over the 3-year grant, IB North America will focus on increasing the number of students taking and passing IB exams offering services tailored for Title I schools including:

• A professional development model for onsite coaching
• Online teacher training courses in science to build teacher content knowledge
• Counselor training for Title I schools to recruit and retain a greater number of students
• An annual program of evaluation to monitor progress and measure school performance
• A study on the impact of the IB program on student achievement in Title I schools

IB North America will also provide additional school support and services, to help reach the goal of increasing  the number of students passing IB exams in Title I high schools by 10%.

About the International Baccalaureate (IB)
The International Baccalaureate (IB), an independent, non-governmental, non-profit educational organization, is a recognized leader in the field of international education, encouraging students to be active learners, well-rounded individuals and engaged world citizens. Founded in 1968, the IB today works with 1,888 schools in 124 countries to offer and develop its three challenging programs to approximately 480,000 students ranging in age from 3 to 19.

Contact

Sandra Coyle
Email: ibna@ibo.org
Phone: +1 212 696 4464 x31
Fax: +1 212 481 9708

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