Dexter school district delays adoption of International Baccalaureate program
The Dexter Community Schools will delay adopting an International Baccalaureate program for at least another school year.
The district had been moving forward with plans to train teachers and offer informational meetings for parents about starting the IB Diploma Programme for 11th and 12th-graders in the 2011-12 school year. But at Monday night's school board meeting, Interim Superintendent Mary Marshall said the the district will delay implementing the I.B. program until the 2012-13 school year.
"There is a great amount of work to do, and there is great benefit in doing the work well," she told the board. "With an additional year of planning we will be able to further develop and integrate the implementation of the IB Diploma Programme in a manner that supports our students' varied interests and our strategic plan goals."
Marshall said that the board asked for a phased approach, and school board president Larry Cobler said, "We're evaluating every step along the way, and that's what led to the decision to do more work."
Parent Christine Pope-Gordon is eager to see the program developed. "Our community does need to work on making this happen because IB is a good choice for our students," she said .
But parent Jennifer Maisch said she was disappointed to hear Marshall talk about just a delay and not a re-evaluation of the process that is being used to explore the IB program.
"We need to come up with a process that involves all stakeholders and has a higher level of transparency," Maisch said.
Marshall said that with the extra time afforded by the delay, there will be opportunity to offer more specifics on what the IB program will look like. She also plans to invite University of Michigan freshman who went through the IB program in high school to share their experiences at informational meetings.
The IB program is part of the Dexter school district's strategic plan to help students see the world that they will live and work in as adults and prepare them to participate in a global society.
The program offers students a standardized curriculum and is aimed at helping students succeed in the interconnected, globalized world. The program is offered in schools around the world. It would cost the district $10,000 to join and require hiring two to three additional teachers. The IB Diploma Programme Dexter is exploring is specifically for 11th- and 12th-graders.
Last month the board agreed not to participate in the countywide IB program led by the Washtenaw Intermediate School District and called the Washtenaw International School.
Lisa Carolin is a freelance reporter for AnnArborcom. For more Dexter stories, visit our Dexter page.
Comments
Dextermom
Tue, Dec 7, 2010 : 2:05 p.m.
I believe that Dexter will be missing a great opportunity if IB is pushed off the table. The world is becoming smaller and more interconnected every day and our children need skills that were not even imaginable when we were going through school. This program adds an opportunity for students to choose courses that might better prepare them for their future. They could also choose not to take these courses. The focus is on having that choice available. Global issues impact every field of study. Understanding issues from a global perspective means deepening our children's understanding of how decisions that are made here impact others - as well as how the decisions made elsewhere in the world impact the US. IB is just another tool to make our chldren better citizens. As the economy starts to recover, it will also be an advantage for Dexter to have the only IB program in the area. It is widely recognized, only awarded to qualifying schools, and would be a draw for families looking for quality education near Ann Arbor. I encourage discussion, and strongly hope that this opportunity for Dexter is not lost in the logistics of giving IB a try.
Lisa
Mon, Dec 6, 2010 : 2:16 p.m.
"Incredulously may I ask, 'Really? Is this something to be ashamed of? What does TAIB fear?'" ~ M.A.Ed & Mom Frankly m'am, I'm incredulous that you are incredulous. Yes, UNESCO's infiltration of our American schools is something to fear - unless you openly support one world government and the overthrowing of our Federal Republic. May I respectfully recommend a read of Ellen McClay's "In the presence of Our Enemies" so that you can gain an historical perspective of how successful UNESCO has been in brainwashing you to accept its global socialist agenda.
M.A.Ed&mom
Fri, Dec 3, 2010 : 1:41 p.m.
Lisa McLoughlin, is from Long Island, NY and her Truth About IB web site (co-administered by a Patricia Donlon) is a self-proclaimed political action committee (PAC) that champions the cause of fighting for our sovereignty as a Federal Republic and for the right of our children to a public education free of UN indoctrination per its donation solicitation materials. This internet-based organization admits it does not have 501(c)3 non-profit status and the names of any donors will be held in strictest confidence. The TAIB web site espouses an anti-International Baccalaureate (IB) agenda on the grounds that such indoctrinates students to learn diversity, multiculturalism, and internationalism with ties to the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Incredulously may I ask, 'Really? Is this something to be ashamed of? What does TAIB fear?' The diversity, multiculturalism and internationalism TAIB denounces seem to me exactly the qualities articulated at the very beginning of the Dexter Community Schools Strategic Plan for 2008-2013. http://web.dexter.k12.mi.us/Color%20Strategic%20Plan5.pdf Mission: We will encourage and develop each students individual abilities, skills, and character, to shape tomorrows world through positive relationships, best practices, and a shared sense of purpose. Goal 1: Provide a world class education that develops, challenges and inspires all students. Strategy 1.1: Create a culture that defines & develops 21st century skills and global competencies. After 2 years of Dexters Board of Education, high school administrators, teachers, and community members publicly exploring the possibility of offering the challenging college preparatory IB course of study as a CHOICE for high school juniors and seniors, it is interesting that suddenly now a handful of local parents have raised their decibel level and are actively seeking outsiders to co-opt their opinion through our local news outlets in order to create a sense of myopic, doubtful undercurrent about bringing such an elective program option into Dexter High School. Like others in attendance at board meetings and DHS parent information forums this past year, I fully support the choice of IB for my children as a valuable curriculum for preparing them to go out and face the world. Various course options can coexist at DHS, even in synergy to one another for the students collective benefit. I welcome the constructive public discussion of how IB can be successfully implemented as an option for interested DHS students, consistent with the unanimous decisions of our Board of Education.
Lisa
Thu, Dec 2, 2010 : 11:16 a.m.
I find it most interesting that in another local paper, the Board President is quoted as saying: "Board President Larry Cobler said the decision was not due to outside pressure from parents who were against the program.There are always going to be people who oppose this program, Cobler said. We need communication and additional input. http://www.heritage.com/articles/2010/12/01/dexter_leader/news/doc4cf6647f2e214863766535.txt Forgive me for sounding jaded, but Cobler's comment sounds exactly like Obama saying that his administration didn't do a good enough job "communicating" the health care bill to the American people. People understand full well what IB is and, like the health care bill, they don't want it! IB is too expensive and comes with partisan political baggage that does not belong in American public schools. Instead of immediately labeling those who oppose IB as the enemy or "outside pressure", the time has come for Trustees and administrators to graciously receive input from those of us who have taken the time to research the IB "philosophy" and thank them for having the courage to step forward with facts which will save the district time, money and controversy. Believe me, the majority of parents and taxpayers will thank YOU in the long run for heeding the warning. Listen to the message, don't kill the messengers. http://truthaboutib.com/
Willy
Tue, Nov 30, 2010 : 2:06 p.m.
$500,000 annually? Glad your district has money to burn. See my retort to a recent Novi News article on IB: http://www.novitalk.org/2010/11/24/international-baccalaureate-another-viewpoint/
J. Maisch
Tue, Nov 30, 2010 : 11:13 a.m.
According to an email sent to me on 11/23 from School Board Trustee, Michael Wendorf, the current budgeted amount for IB in the Dexter Schools is $246,000. This includes $18,000 in professional development and a.5 FTE position in 5 of the 6 school buildings. Even though the District has decided to delay IB for at least a year, there was no discussion of removing or reducing this amount from the budget which was approved with revisions at last night's meeting. Presumably, those 5 staff members will spend 50% of their time in 2011-2012 studying IB. Mr. Wendorf went on in his email to say "that it is his understanding that the cost with staff for an up and running IB program [in Dexter] would be in the range of $500,000 [annually]. The $10,000 cost is simply the application fee. I hope that people in Dexter take the time to research IB and decide if this is a program they want to support with their tax dollars. It should be noted that Mr. Wendorf is a supporter of the IB program.