International Baccalaureate Prepares American Students for Globalization

From http://www.truthnews.us/?p=2119

International Baccalaureate Prepares American Students for Globalization
Tracy Samilton
Voice of America News
March 25, 2008

The International Baccalaureate school movement is growing in the United States. Supporters say the program’s international focus and rigorous curriculum is one of the best ways to prepare students for globalization. “I.B. schools,” as they’re known, have long been popular in affluent areas of the country. But now, more school districts in poor, inner cities are experimenting with international baccalaureate programs. Tracy Samilton reports.
International baccalaureate schools began decades ago as a way to teach the globe-trotting children of the international diplomatic corps. Now, IB schools welcome all kinds of children. The program combines what are considered to be the best teaching techniques, a rigorous curriculum stressing writing and analysis, and an international perspective. The goal is to develop involved, articulate global citizens.

Bloomfield Hills is a wealthy suburb of Detroit, Michigan. The school district here has set up an International Baccalaureate program at Lone Pine Elementary. At IB elementary schools, subjects like math and reading are not taught separately. Subject areas are integrated, so lessons in “Mother Earth” class, for example, cover vocabulary, literature, history, and ecology. “We learned some words like environment, we learned how Indians, they didn’t waste anything, and we learned about global warming,” explains one ,5th-grader, flipping through his workbook. “I learned about Pangea, how, a long time ago the world was connected,” adds another.
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