OP-ED: Kicking the Tires on IB Redux

An open and critical dialogue around the issues in education is vital for success of any initiative in this community. For those who don’t work in the education system, like me, it can be difficult to figure out where exactly to focus the energy, home in on the issues and articulate the questions that need to be asked. I commend Marian Cutler. 

Still, having worked in the past for the IB, I find some of the information in the op-ed piece difficult to understand and accept.

There are 445 International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme schools in the U.S. with more than 20 MYP schools in the northeast and over 900 MYP programs worldwide.

The reality is that very few schools resemble the case of Cherry Hill. A unique set of circumstances led to the withdrawal of Cherry Hill after a great deal of prolonged debate within the community. The costs for IB that are quoted are not in line by any stretch of the imagination with other districts implementing IB and need to be scrutinized in light of their larger budget and distinct budgeting process. In fact, the experiences in Cherry Hill and Locust Valley are frequently cited to make a case against IB and are usually used to promote a separate political agenda.   

There is a great deal of support for IB nationally and internationally.  Furthermore, the research base to support the approach that the IB programs offer is extensive, rapidly expanding and ranges far beyond the one dissertation that is mentioned. 

A quick google search will provide any interested reader with many listings.   The IB website also has recent research, including studies showing that students in the MYP perform very well on international assessments across a wide range of schools in varying countries and contexts, rather than the narrow focus of a small cohort of students in one school in the dissertation mentioned by Marian.

I wholeheartedly support the proposal by the South Orange-Maplewood School District to implement the MYP. I have seen how the IB approach can invigorate a school community, how teachers are enlivened and excited with the possibilities and students are engaged in the new opportunities for learning. I also completely support the need for candid questions and debate.

However, I believe that the superintendent and the principals in the middle schools have put forth a bold and visionary proposal that has the potential to transform our schools. Their proposal deserves a higher level of thought and debate that moves the initiative forward or, if not, presents reasoned and thoughtful arguments rather than unattributed or outdated quotes, or the unsubstantiated and misplaced use of facts and figures.

Beth Brock lives in Maplewood. She worked previously as Global Head of Policy and Research for the International Baccalaureate.