Improvements in student well-being and the impact of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) exhibition stand out among findings from recent studies. Download the full resource to use and share.
Here are a few of the findings from the new resource
A mixed methods study examined the PYP’s impact on school climate within California public elementary schools in the United States (US). Participants at every school reported increased attention to social-emotional learning and the whole child, as well as greater use of transdisciplinary instruction and teacher collaboration due to the PYP. Additionally, the quantitative data showed statistically significant improvements post-authorization on six school climate outcomes: perceived safety, caring relationships, fairness, parent involvement, bullying and victimization (table). [1]
| School climate outcome | Improved post-authorization | Statistically significant improvement |
| Perceived safety | ✓ | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Caring relationships | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fairness | ✓ | ✓ |
| Parent involvement | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bullying | ✓ | ✓ |
| Victimization | ✓ | ✓ |
| School connectedness | ✓ | |
| Meaningful participation | ✓ | |
| Schoolwork |
A study was conducted across five countries (China, Kenya, Mexico, Russia and the United Kingdom) to understand the impacts of the PYP exhibition, a culminating project in which students investigate and present their learnings on a chosen topic. The study found overwhelming support from parents, students and teachers for the exhibition as an activity, and a deep conviction that this was not only a good use of curriculum time, but also the pinnacle of PYP achievement. Study participants believed that the exhibition helped to develop students’ critical thinking, international-mindedness and learner profile attributes. [2]
In Australia, researchers investigated student well-being in PYP schools as well as the relationship between the PYP curriculum and student well-being. The study found PYP curriculum and programmatic elements include many activities and practices that promote well-being. PYP schools with strong implementation consistently showed more positive school climates and higher levels of teacher engagement, student participation and student well-being that are attributable to the PYP. Lastly, quantitative analysis of PYP and similar non-PYP schools offered substantial evidence that the PYP encourages student well-being above and beyond other well-being activities undertaken by schools. [3]
Want to learn more? Download the resource to see all of the findings: PYP key findings
Research plays a central role in the development, quality assurance and assessment of IB programme outcomes. All studies referenced here can be found at ibo.org/research. Have questions? Contact us at research@ibo.org.
[1] Boal, A and Nakamoto, J. 2020. School change: How does IB Primary Years Programme implementation impact school climate? Bethesda, MD, USA. International Baccalaureate Organization.
[2] Medwell, J, Cooker, L, Bailey, L, and Winchip, E. 2017. The impact of the PYP exhibition on the development of international-mindedness, critical thinking and attributes of the IB learner profile. Bethesda, MD, USA. International Baccalaureate Organization.
[3] Dix, K and Sniedze-Gregory, S. 2020. The impact of the IB Primary Years Programme on student well-being and other related social-emotional learning outcomes. Bethesda, MD, USA. International Baccalaureate Organization.
