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The International Baccalaureate Programme
Q: A grassroots group in our school district is investigating the International Baccalaureate Programme. My very gifted sixth-grader would certainly be eligible in high school. Can you give me any information about IB?
A: Louisiana State University's Laboratory School has just adopted IB and is beginning implementation this year. For further information on IB programmes consult the IBO website at www.ibo.org.
IB offers programmes for the primary years (ages 3-12), the middle years (ages 11-16), and a diploma programme for the final two years of high school. IB programmes emphasize intellectual rigor and high standards, international understanding and responsible citizenship, and careful assessment based on a comprehensive curriculum.
IB has been used successfully with gifted and talented students. The University of Wisconsin Extension telecourse, Educating Able Learners, includes an interview with a high-school student in Wisconsin who has completed an IB programme. Copies of the telecourse tapes are available through UW-Extension. For more information write to School of Education, Madison Education Extension Programs, Box 1, Suite 409, Education Building, 1000 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI 53706-1398.
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Rita Culross is Associate Dean, College of Education, and Adjunct Professor of Psychology and Curriculum and Instruction at Louisiana State University. Culross has served as the consulting school psychologist for a public school elementary gifted program, and has written a book and several journal articles on gifted education.
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