The International Baccalaureate: A Case Study on why Students Choose to do the IB

Abstract

processes, is spreading rapidly throughout many countries of the world, presenting itself as an alternative to local assessment and curriculum offerings. It thereby offers a clear example of the globalisation of knowledge and the knowledge industry. Meanwhile at the local level in South Australia both Public and Private Schools are coming to terms with the concept of educating for the twenty-first century with perceptions of being part of a global village and opting for the chance of educating world citizens. It would seem that many schools perceive the adoption of the IB Curriculum as one means of achieving this. In this research study, 60 Year 10 students from a Public (State/Government) and Private (Independent) school, from one Australian city, took part in an investigation to determine why they chose to pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in their final two years of schooling. Comparative education, International education, Secondary school curriculum, College preparation, University admission, International Baccalaureate