IB Middle Years Programme sparks changes in NPHS academics
As students begin to pick their courses for the next school year, many will notice classes such as IB Literature and AP European History are missing from the selection. The change comes as Newbury Park High School follows Sequoia Middle School and Cypress Elementary school’s steps in integrating the International Baccalaureate’s [IB] philosophy into the curriculum via the IB Middle Years Programme [MYP] for ninth and tenth graders. The program focuses on preparing students to potentially undertake the IB Diploma Programme in their junior and senior years, as well as providing an international-minded education with a holistic approach, as per the IB Website.
Focusing on a global perspective to history, NPHS has taken the initiative to replace its offering of AP European History to sophomores with AP World History instead. After this year, current AP European History teacher Tiffani Coull will take over IB History of the Americas and 20th Century History. “I’m excited that the kids [will be] getting a more global perspective,” Coull said. “I think having just a European viewpoint is very limited especially since we have such a vast array of students from different parts of the world at the school.” The switch in classes is one of the changes in next year’s schedule that is specifically catered towards the MYP. “We’re trying to align our curriculum to meet the IB MYP and our European [history] doesn’t fit into [IB’s] world view,” Coull said.
Another change set to take place next year is the removal of the IB Literature HL class. Jill Magnante, IB Literature teacher, shares that although the class is being cut, she will transition to a new role as MYP Coordinator at NPHS. “What’s really exciting for me about [MYP] is that it doesn’t dictate curriculum. It’s meant to support whatever the local curriculum and state curriculum is, but it’s inclusive” Magnante said. Magnante believes that her overall goal of improving accessibility of learning for students will be accomplished through the MYP program. “All students are going to have access to instruction that [is] very student centered to help us to continue to grow a culture of lifelong learners,” Magnante said.
While some departments are subject to change, others will stay relatively consistent. Debbie Dogancay, IB Chemistry teacher and IB Coordinator, has noted these consistencies. “You would see the change less, because the honors [science] teachers always work with the IB teachers to make sure that those students are getting the [IB] skills,” Dogancay said. These changes to NPHS’s academic philosophy will take place gradually. “[NPHS is] early in the process. Next year, we’re going to be trying some strategies in most classes. In a CP class, for example, a teacher might just implement one or two units [the IB] way and they might keep teaching their other units the same for the first year,” Dogancay said.
Dogancay believes that the integration of MYP will lead to improvements in teaching. “The idea is [that] our whole staff is going through all of this training and working together, where we’re really trying to think about how we teach and trying to do that in a way that’s more effective,” Dogancay said. Dogancay believes that contrary to the ideas some students may have, implementing MYP is not as daunting as thought to be. “I think sometimes when people hear ‘everybody’s IB,’ it sounds a little scary, but it’s more of just a change in approach,” Dogancay said.
While NPHS adjusts their classes offered, the school’s overall goals will stay the same– to educate and equip the next generation of citizens. The new emphasis on the IB philosophy will further these goals and allow students to clearly master the skills needed to gain a world-perspective on education. MYP roll out begins next year after completion of its candidacy phase.
