Frequently Asked Questions About The Primary Years Programme For Interested Schools
- How is the Primary Years Programme different from other elementary school programmes?
- What does the Primary Years Programme mean by “a programme of inquiry”?
- Does the Primary Years Programme’s programme of inquiry allow teachers to continue to teach what they have always taught?
- How are students assessed in the Primary Years Programme?
- Do all students in a school have to follow the Primary Years Programme?
- How does a school become a Primary Years Programme school and how long does it take?
- Is there any special training that our teachers need to participate in or special assistance to prepare them to teach the Primary Years Programme?
- How much does the Primary Years Programme cost?
- Are there any funds available to assist schools in setting up or defraying the costs of offering the Primary Years Programme?
- Are there schools offering the Primary Years Programme that we can visit?
- How can my school find out more about the IB Primary Years Programme and become authorized?
How is the Primary Years Programme different from other elementary school
programmes?
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) provides an educational framework based upon what is currently known about how young children learn. It draws on the best practices in elementary school instruction.
The PYP requires all teachers in the school to plan units of instruction and lessons collaboratively around six important themes. The collaboration facilitates a carefully thought-out and sequential development of skills, knowledge and attitudes, while the organizing themes provide both students and teachers a rich and inviting learning environment in which they can explore. In brief, the six organizing themes are: Who we are; Where we are we in place and time; How we express ourselves; How the world works; How we organize ourselves; and How we share the planet.
In the PYP, students are taught to understand that learning is about asking questions and looking for answers, which in turn may generate new, and perhaps more complex questions in need of answers. As teachers work with students through this programme of guided inquiry, they also help students understand what their relationship and responsibility is towards what they are learning. In the PYP character-building shares a prominent place alongside learning.
What does the Primary Years Programme mean by “a programme of inquiry”?
The philosophy of the Primary Years Programme is based on a commitment to structured inquiry as an ideal tool for learning. While the IB does not define curriculum content in the Primary Years Programme, it does require all schools to develop their curricula around the following themes each year of the programme: Who we are; Where we are we in place and time; How we express ourselves; How the world works; How we organize ourselves; and How we share the planet.
These themes represent six broad ideas that are seen by the IB as worthy of exploration by all schools everywhere. Teachers, then, develop units of inquiry around each theme using content knowledge as appropriate and the questions students themselves formulate. A school’s programme of inquiry represnts an articulated curriculum for the primary grades.
Does the Primary Years Programme’s programme of inquiry allow teachers to continue to teach what they have always taught?
A significant part what teachers have always taught, or what the state or province requires them to teach, can be integrated into the PYP’s programme of inquiry. However, schools may choose to address some parts of the curriculum outside the programme of inquiry framework. Regardless of what parts of the curriculum teachers decide are best taught inside or outside the programme of inquiry, all of their planning and assessing should be informed by the Primary Years Programme’s philosophy.
How are students assessed in the Primary Years Programme?
Assessment in the Primary Years Programme is developed by the classroom teacher, rather than by the IB. The IB encourages schools to employ a wide range of assessment strategies that are both formative and summative. Any standardized tests required by local or national authorities may form a part of the PYP school’s assessment strategy.
The IB views assessment as needing to be authentic, essential, rich, engaging and feasible, and incorporates students in the evaluative process. Formative assessment is interwoven within the daily learning and helps teachers and students find out what they already know in order to plan the next stage of learning. Formative assessment and teaching are directly linked; neither can function effectively or purposefully without the other. Summative assessment takes place at the end of the teaching and learning process and gives students the opportunity to demonstrate what has been learned. The IB provides guidance on appropriate assessment in the PYP Assessment Handbook.
Do all students in a school have to follow the Primary Years Programme?
Yes. The IB Primary Years Programme is expressly designed for every student on campus. Schools are expected to implement the PYP using what
is referred to as “a whole-school approach,” making appropriate accommodations for students with different learning needs. The IB believes that all students can find tremendous growth and value in the Primary Years Programme.
How does a school become a Primary Years Programme school and how long does it take?
The International Baccalaureate (IB) must officially authorize schools wishing to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP) to their students. The authorization process generally takes about two to three years. Authorization is granted to schools that successfully complete the application process.
All prospective schools are encouraged to contact the North American regional office of the IB in New York (+1-212-696-4464) or Vancouver (+1-604-733-8980) for assistance with the application process and the steps they must take towards becoming authorized Primary Years Programme schools.
Is there any special training that our teachers need to participate in or special assistance to prepare them to teach the Primary Years Programme?
The unique nature of the PYP means that teachers are expected to participate in special IB training. Please visit the Workshops and Conferences section of this website to find a workshop near you. You can also request workshop information and registration materials from the North American regional office of the IB in New York (+1-212-696-4464) or Vancouver (+1-604-733-8980).
How much does the Primary Years Programme cost?
IB-authorized schools pay an annual fee to the IB of US$3,380. In addition, authorized schools must undergo a programme evaluation every five years. The evaluation fee is US$3,500.
Schools starting a Primary Years Programme must budget for different kinds of expenses. These start-up costs depend on a variety of considerations: the acquisition of resources needed at the school to support the Primary Years Programme, the number of resident staff in need of IB training, time for faculty to develop their programme of inquiry units, any promotional activities to make families and colleagues aware of the school’s intent to offer a Primary Years Programme, and the application fee itself. The fee for Application Part A is US$4300, while the fee for Application Part B is US$4500.
Are there any funds available to assist schools in setting up or defraying the costs of offering the Primary Years Programme?
Schools in the US are encouraged to contact their state department of education to see if there are any special funds (grants or title money)
available for starting up or sustaining a Primary Years Programme. Schools in Canada may have to seek private sources of funding. All schools are invited to contact the North American regional office of the IB for more information.
Are there schools offering the Primary Years Programme that we can visit?
Yes, there are numerous schools throughout North America authorized to offer the Primary Years Programme. With sufficient advance notice, they are generally happy to host representatives from interested schools. Please use the school directory in the left column of this page to help you locate a school near you. Additionally, interested schools are encouraged to contact the North American regional office for guidance in selecting a school to visit.
How can my school find out more about the IB Primary Years Programme and become authorized?
Schools in Canada, the US, and the Caribbean are encouraged to contact the North American regional office of the IB in New York (+1-212-696-4464) or Vancouver (+1-604-733-8980) for assistance with the IB’s authorization procedures.
