INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

The International Baccalaureate Organisation’s response to COVID-1

The extraordinary impact of COVID-19 in so many communities around the world has required a compassionate and ethical response from the IBO, one that considered the wellbeing of students and their progression into future study or pathways. Consultation with schools, students, universities and official bodies around the globe were undertaken to determine the most responsible and fair course of action.

IBDP students completing their studies in the May session this year have been most significantly impacted. As a result, the IBO cancelled all final examinations. These students will still be awarded a Diploma Certificate which reflects their standard of work. Achievement will be based around the students’ coursework and the established assessment expertise, rigor and quality control already built into the IBDP. Internal assessments are to be marked externally, rather than moderated, and schools still submit predicted grades based on the coursework students have completed.

IBDP students completing their studies in the November session this year and into 2021 will be eligible for consideration through existing adverse circumstance procedures. Details around the specifics will continue to evolve.

So, what does this mean for our IB students?

We use the mantra “everything counts” when determining progress throughout the IBDP. Now, more than ever, this remains true. The best thing our IBDP students can do right now is to stay safe, keep calm and keep going. Consistency is key.

We have the flexibility within the IBDP to modify learning and assessment tasks as required. Our focus on building skills, knowledge and capacity remains, as does our commitment to student wellbeing.

At this stage, minor modifications have been required. Here are some examples:

Language speaking tasks have been completed online in a video conference rather than face-to-face
Students have been asked to reconsider planned CAS activities to maintain social distancing requirements while still serving community members. Some are running online sports training sessions in place of regular training, others are writing personal letters and establishing online interactions with elderly community members to help them through feelings of social isolation, others are running online coding and music tutorials to engage students in cocurricular opportunities (the creativity and generosity of our students continues to impress)
The CAS project, a group initiative, may need to be postponed for some groups
Group music performances may be postponed, although online collaborations are being explored
Learning opportunities in each class continue to be engaging, collaborative and challenging, just presented in on online environment

These are indeed difficult times, but out IB students and staff are rising to the challenge. I encourage all students to keep going and to make contact with their teachers when they require any assistance.