UNIT 1. Activity 10. FORUM ENTRY # 2. IB Standards and practices

Activity 10. FORUM ENTRY # 2. IB Leadership

•According to that Standard does the IB support any specific kind of leadership?

•What challenges/implications does that standard create for schools?

IB STANDARD AND PRACTICES.

READ THE IB STANDARD AND PRACTICES ABOUT ORGANISATION.

Section B: Organization

Standard B1: Leadership and structure

The school’s leadership and administrative structures ensure the implementation of the IB programme(s).

1.      The school has developed systems to keep the governing body informed about the ongoing implementation and development of the programme(s).

2.      The school has developed a governance and leadership structure that supports the implementation of the programme(s).

3.      The head of school/school principal and programme coordinator demonstrate pedagogical leadership aligned with the philosophy of the programme(s).

4.      The school has appointed a programme coordinator with a job description, release time, support and resources to carry out the responsibilities of the position.

5.      The school develops and implements policies and procedures that support the programme(s).

6.      The school has systems in place for the continuity and ongoing development of the programme(s).

7.      The school carries out programme evaluation involving all stakeholders.

Standard B2: Resources and support

The school’s resources and support structures ensure the implementation of the IB programme(s).

1.      The governing body allocates funding for the implementation and ongoing development of the programme(s).

2.      The school provides qualified staff to implement the programme(s).

3.      The school ensures that teachers and administrators receive IB-recognized professional development.

4.      The school provides dedicated time for teachers’ collaborative planning and reflection.

5.      The physical and virtual learning environments, facilities, resources and specialized equipment support the implementation of the programme(s).

6.      The library/multimedia/resources play a central role in the implementation of the programme(s).

7.      The school ensures access to information on global issues and diverse perspectives.

8.      The school provides support for its students with learning and/or special educational needs and support for their teachers.

9.      The school has systems in place to guide and counsel students through the programme(s).

10.  The student schedule or timetable allows for the requirements of the programme(s) to be met.

11.  The school utilizes the resources and expertise of the community to enhance learning within the programme(s).

12.  The school allocates resources to implement the PYP exhibition, the MYP personal project (or community project for programmes that end in MYP year 3 or 4), the DP extended essay and the IBCC reflective project for all students, depending on the programme(s) offered.

ü According to that Standard does the IB support any specific kind of leadership?

Having read the text related to the standard and practices I can conclude that the IB proposes a democratic and collaborative kind of leadership, because as we can read in all the text they specifically talk about, “all the governing body informed”, “pedagogical leadership”, “involving all”, etc.

That is why in my opinion throughout the text the IB standard and practices we can see the support to the democratic and collaborative leadership, as well as flexible in most cases looking for the adaptation of that leader depending on the situation.

ü What challenges/ implications does that standard create for schools?

Challenges/Implications: PYP

The schools needs to have a staff (teachers, coordinators, principal and all committed with the IB program and prepared to get involved in every part of the program not only the part he/she concerned.

 Also for IB is very important the language policy and the assessment policy so, is a challenge and implication required to the school develops and implement that policy consistent with the IB expectations.

 Also is important for the IB to support the transdisciplinary and disciplinary curriculum. 

The school is in charge of the IB professional development of the teachers.

Challenges/Implications: MYP and DP

For this program the IB also includes the coordinator to the pedagogical leadership team.

The school is required to develop and implements language policy, inclusion special education needs policy, assessment policy and honesty policy consistent with the IB expectations.

The school needs to create systems in place for the continuity and ongoing development of the programmes.

Also the school have to support the implementation of all the subject groups offered and also when that subjects or projects implies the community.

The school needs to comply with all the requirements of examinations of the DP. The school provides qualified staff to implement the programmes. The school provides guidance to students on post-secondary educational options.