Adopting an International Baccalaureate Program in an Urban Public Middle School: A Good Fit?

• In Event: 46.086 - Roundtable Session 16
  In Roundtable Session: 46.086-16 - Qualitative Inquiry in Middle-Level Education Research

Abstract

A district decision for a school to adopt the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program was examined from the perspectives of teachers, students and administrators during the candidacy phase. Impact on (1) pedagogical practices and (2) student and teacher experiences was studied through interviews and a survey. Overall, participants had mixed experiences and perceptions. Systematic planning and focus on the Learner ProfileTraits were more readily adopted while understanding the model as applicable for all students and subjects was still a work in progress. Fictionalized conversations using actual quotes from different interviews illustrate the themes identified from the data.

Authors

• Mark G. Storz, John Carroll University

• Amy R. Hoffman, John Carroll University