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Research essentials for leaders of IB World Schools

IB Research shares a brand-new resource for coordinators and heads of IB World Schools.

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Research at your fingertips

“Research essentials for IB leaders” is a practical tool, providing IB heads and coordinators with ready-to-use, powerful research findings and figures that demonstrate the value of an IB education. The resource includes information from studies covering each IB programme and all geographic regions.

Findings and figures in this resource are designed to be easily selected and used for presentations and meetings with important audiences like parents, teachers and government officials to present sound evidence of the impacts of IB programmes. The main product is a Word document (Rich Text Format) for ease of use and re-packaging of materials for different groups. Additionally, all figures and graphics are offered separately as high-resolution files so that they can be copied and pasted into communication materials without reducing image quality.

To pique your interest, here are short selections from three different studies included in the resource.

The MYP as preparation for high school (Asia-Pacific)

In China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia and Japan, researchers compared the DP outcomes of students who completed their middle years studies in the MYP, in a national curriculum, or in another international programme.1

  • Student performance: Former MYP students performed significantly better than non-MYP students in the total DP points earned (see figure 1). They also performed significantly better in subject examinations in language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, and mathematics.

Figure 1.

University enrollment and graduation rates (United States)

In a large-scale quantitative study, researchers investigated university enrollment, persistence and graduation rates of DP students in the US. The DP cohort was further broken down into DP course students, students pursuing the full DP (“DP candidates”), DP candidates who received the diploma, and all DP students (combined).2

  • Immediate university enrollment: Findings showed that, in 2013, 82.2% of all DP students enrolled in university immediately after high school. This compares well with the US national average for immediate enrollment (66.0% in 2013). DP candidates who received the diploma had the highest immediate enrollment rate (85.6%), followed by DP candidates (84.6%) and course students (79.7%) (see figure 2).

Figure 2.

University performance of DP and A level students (United Kingdom)

Examining the higher education outcomes of students in the UK, researchers explored the university enrollment and achievement of matched cohorts of DP and A level students (see figure 3).3

  • Enrollment in top universities: Researchers found that 45.7% of DP students attended a top 20 ranked university in the UK compared to 32.9% of A level students.
  • Honours: 22.9% of DP students, compared to 19.4% of A level students, earned a first-class honours degree, a significantly greater likelihood. DP students were also significantly more likely to receive at least a second-class honours degree.

Figure 3.

Click on the button below to access the resource and figures. Have questions? Contact us at research@ibo.org.

1 Source. Australian Council for Educational Research. 2015. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP): Comparing IB Diploma Programme outcomes of students who complete the MYP and other middle years courses of study. Bethesda, MD, USA. International Baccalaureate Organization.

2 Source. Pilchen, A, Caspary, K and Woodworth, K. 2020 (forthcoming). Postsecondary outcomes of IB Diploma Programme graduates in the United States. Bethesda, MD, USA. International Baccalaureate Organization.

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). 2016. International Baccalaureate students studying at UK higher education institutions: How do they perform in comparison with A level students? Bethesda, MD, USA. International Baccalaureate Organization.

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