General InformationHigher Level, Standard Level: What it all means to a Certificate Student Graduation TimelineCliff Notes for ParentsSequoia High School Web Site:
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The Extended Essay Component of the Diploma Programme begins a new cycle in January, 2007 as second semester I.B. juniors enter the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course. This course taught during seventh period, in the spring of the junior year and fall of the senior year is where students receive guidance for the Extended Essay. The following is a reprint of the article in the April, 2006 edition of the newsletter so that parents of junior anticipated IB Diploma candidates better understand this particular program facet. The IB extended essay is defined by the International Baccalaureate Organization as "an in-depth study of a limited topic within a subject. Its purpose is to provide candidates with an opportunity to engage in independent research. Emphasis is placed on the process of engaging in personal research, on the communication of ideas and information in a logical and coherent manner." In a nutshell, the IB extended essay is a roughly 12-14 page research paper each diploma candidate will write during the junior spring and senior fall semesters. Early in the process, each student selects a faculty advisor to assist with both the research process and specific subject area knowledge. The toughest part for most students is finalizing a focused research question. Once the basic background reading is completed, and a focused research question formulated, the rest seems to fall into place for most students. Some challenges to the completion of the paper include poor time management and the realization that finding primary and secondary sources on a specific topic can often require ingenuity and resourcefulness - that's what the faculty advisors are for! The rare student who feels this paper can be put off until the last moment will learn the hard way that it is a serious mistake! The rough draft of the student essays are due to the Extended Essay advisor in June of the junior year. Students who do not submit the rough draft will change status from diploma to certificate students, as completion of the Extended Essay is a requirement for the diploma. Once the first completed drafts are reviewed by the advisors, the students have one last chance to make any necessary improvements before sending the final products off to IB for assessment. The benefits of completing such a paper here in high school have been attested to repeatedly by recent Sequoia IB graduates away at university. They 'already know how to do it.' In addition, a good showing on the extended essay can translate into extra points above and beyond those awarded toward the diploma from the subject area exams. In the scramble to earn at least 24 points total to earn the prestigious IB Diploma, an extra point or two from the extended essay is well worth the effort. If you have any questions about the extended essay, please do not hesitate to contact IB extended essay coordinator Lisa Gleaton at lgleaton@seq.org. |
General Information
IB/ICAP Parent Group
The IB/ICAP Parent Group meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Parent Center located next to the Multi Purpose Room. All parents of ICAP or IB students are welcome and encouraged to attend. If you can't attend these meetings, be sure to get the latest information by joining the IB Parent Group list serve at http://www.seq.org/mailman/listinfo/sq-ib
Higher Level, Standard Level: What it all means to a Certificate Student
Students taking less than 6 IB courses and not completing the Extended Essay, TOK or CAS requirements are termed "I.B. certificate" students by IBO. Courses taken are chosen based on the student's academic strength and/or interest. For this population, there is an important distinction between taking higher level versus standard level courses when it comes to college credit.
Higher level courses are two year courses that must be taught over two years. They require 240 hours of actual teaching time. Sequoia teaches IB English, History of the Americas, Spanish, German, Visual Art and one Math course (Math HL) at the higher level. Most major universities now offer equivalent credit for IB or AP courses taken when the student earns a qualifying score (3 - 5 for AP, 5 - 7 for IB, with some schools granting credit for the score of 4 on IB higher level exams). This means that if a student takes IB English HL, the UC system will grant 8 quarter units for an IB exam score of 5 - 7, just as they would grant 8 quarter units for an AP exam score of 3 - 5.
Standard level courses are one year courses that can be taught over one or two years at the school's discretion. They require 150 hours of actual teaching time. Sequoia teaches Chemistry, Environmental Systems, Math Studies, Math SL and ITGS at the standard level. Though students get the extra grade point for these classes on their transcript after taking the class and the corresponding exam, many colleges will not award college credit for standard level courses.
When a student completes the full diploma however, credit is given based on the completion of the diploma program rather than by individual course taken.
The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) class provides coherence to the curricular program. It is the course of study unique to the International Baccalaureate and answers the question "how do I know what I know?"
TOK students are encouraged to reflect on all aspects of their work throughout the program by having informed discussion about the nature and purposes, strengths and limitations of the particular knowledge systems covered by the curriculum. "Students are encouraged to reflect on the nature of poetic truth in literature and to contrast such truth with that obtained in other systems of knowledge - the historical fact, the scientific fact, and a mathematical proof and so on. They also examine the grounds for the moral, political and aesthetic judgments that individuals must make in their daily lives. Emphasis is placed on the role of language and thought and on the development of the student's critical thinking skills.
This course is mandatory for all diploma candidates and is taught seventh period in the spring of the junior year and the fall of the senior year. In addition to the assessments required for successful completion of TOK, students are also guided through the Extended Essay in this class.
A Timeline for IB Diploma Candidates
Sophomore Year
January - February:
Complete 2-year plan
March:Register for Junior Classes
May:Initial CAS Meeting (explanation of CAS requirement & procedures, hand out CAS booklets)
Can begin turning in CAS Proposals (turn in proposals early)
Summer:Begin CAS activities
Junior Year
September: Begin IB Coursework, Year 1
Register for PSAT test with Treasurer's Office
Turn in CAS Activity Logs and evaluations for summer work (no later than the 10th day of each month)
October:Take PSAT
Register for May IB Exams with IB Coordinator, if applicable
Turn in September CAS Activity Logs (no later that the 10th of the month)
November:Turn in October CAS Activity Logs (no later than the 10th of the month)
Select an area of study, a topic and a supervisor for the Extended Essay
December:Turn in November CAS Activity Logs (no later than the 10th of the month
Register for SAT I, and ACT exams (register for April/May sessions)
Extend Essay Workshop ‘Utilizing the Supervisor's Knowledge and responsibilities'
January:Turn in December CAS Activity Logs (no later than the 10th of the month)
Introduction to the Extended Essay Project
Extended Essay Workshop "An Overview of the Research Process" in TOK class
CAS check (go over progress)
TOK begins
February:Turn in January CAS Activity Logs (no later than the 10th of the month)
Work on Extended Essay draft
March:Register for Senior Classes
Turn in February CAS Activity Logs (no later than the 10th of the month)
Work on Extended Essay Draft
April:Turn in March CAS Activity Logs (no later than the 10th of the month)
In School CAS Check (go over progress)
Work on Extended Essay draft
Register to retake ACT & SAT
Take ACT
May:Take first IB Exam (if applicable)
Turn in April CAS Activity Logs (no later than the 10th of the month)
Take the SAT
June:Retake SAT I or ACT (October date for SAT and ACT)
Turn in May CAS Activity Logs
Extend Essay rough drafts due
July:Exam results available
Senior Year
September: Begin IB Coursework, Year 2
Turn in CAS Activity Logs and evaluations for any summer hours done (no later than the 10th of the month)
Revise Extended Essay
October:College Applications
Turn in CAS Activity Logs for September (no later than the 10 th of the month)
Final Draft of Extended Essay is due
Register for IB Exams with the IB Coordinator
SAT1 or ACT (try to avoid taking after this date)
Finish taking SAT II's
November: Turn in CAS Activity Logs for October (no later than the 10th of the month)
December: Turn in CAS Activity Logs for November (no later than the 10th of the month)
January:TOK Ends for seniors
Turn in CAS Activity Logs for December (no later than the 10 th of the month)
February:Turn in CAS Activity Logs for January (no later than the 10th of the month)
March:Turn in CAS Activity Logs for February (no later than the 10th of the month)
Send Extended Essay off for assessment
CAS documentation Deadline (all work, evaluations, final reflections etc. must be submitted by March 31st)
May:IB Exams (5)
June:Graduation - TAKE A BOW!!!!!
July: IB Exam Results and Notification of Award of Diplomas from Geneva, Switzerland
Cliff Notes
Senior Parents:
A few major tasks are left before the senior class dons their caps and gowns in June, 2007.
The first is that college applications for the UC and CSU be submitted this month! Admissions are being processed on a rolling basis at many campuses so the sooner they receive an application, the sooner an admissions decision is made. Also, private universities have their own admission deadlines. Take care to not miss those dates and to include everything they request; the admissions process is a bit different for the private colleges. If you need help, please contact the student's counselor or the I.B. Coordinator.
The second task is the finish the senior year strong. "SENIORITIS" IS NOT AN OPTION! Universities offer admission on a provisional basis, meaning that if the final high school transcript for a student does not live up to the expectations of the university, the admission may be rescinded. Reasons this could happen are that (1) the courses students reported they were taking were not completed or (2) the senior grades the colleges expected to see based on the initial transcript were not satisfactory. Please cheer your students to the finish line!
The third task is that students begin to seriously consider what college/university they will attend if accepted. The size of campus, demographics of student population, rural or urban setting, class size and proximity to home are all considerations when making the final decision. If students begin to think about what's important to them now, it will make sorting through all those admission envelopes a little easier in March and April.
Junior Parents:
If your student will be applying to a 4 year college, the SATI or ACT is a required standardized test for many colleges. The SAT Subject Tests are also required for the UC system and some private colleges.
Remaining test dates for this year:
SATI: January 27, 2006 (registration deadline is 12/20); March 10th (registration deadline is 2/4); May 5th (registration deadline is 3/29); and June 2nd (registration deadline is April 27th).
Students should plan to take the SATI on either May 5th or June 2nd as a first time effort. It the scores are good, then they're done; otherwise, they have 2 additional test dates in the fall to try and raise their scores.
ACT: February 10th (registration deadline is 1/5); April 14th (registration deadline is 3/9); and June 9th (registration deadline is 5/4). If opting to take the ACT rather than the SATI, the April or June dates will work best for the student.
In addition, it's time to start planning your summer college visitations. One of the important factors in choosing to apply to a college is the comfort level the student feels when walking on the campus. It doesn't matter is classes are in session or not; plan to take your student to as many prospective campuses as possible and let them just walk around the grounds for a bit. It is amazing how the human psyche will indicate innate comfort or distress in various surroundings. No matter how great a school might sound, the acid test is how comfortable your student will feel once they become a member of the school community.
Sophomore Parents:
Every February, the IB Coordinator meets with sophomore students and parents to review the IB program and offer parameters families may use in making the decision to pursue either the full diploma program or to do the IB certificate program. Many factors should be considered before this important decision is reached and attending this meeting will allow you to get all the information needed in order to make an informed decision. In addition, the CAS requirement and each I.B. subject area will be discussed so that all will understand the structure and expectations of each subject. Please plan to join us for this informative, must attend meeting.
Sophomore Parent Meeting
February 22, 2006
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
MPR, Sequoia High School
Freshman Parents:
As you enter the holiday season, don't forget to mark your calendar so you won't miss an important meeting.
Freshman Parent Meeting
February 1, 2006
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
MPR and Carrington Hall
This meeting is chock-full of valuable information you'll need to help your student plan not only their high school career but their preparation for their post-secondary education. You'll need this information in order to help your student with their course selections for sophomore year, so don't miss it!