If you happen to be a school administrator or Board of Education trustee trying to push IB in your district no matter what the cost or effect, be sure to pretend you never came across this page. However, if you are a teacher, parent, student or taxpayer concerned with how IB can impact your school or district, this page is a must read.
As TAIB has worked with concerned Americans across the country and delved into how districts are proceeding with their IB applications for authorization, one thing has become blatantly clear - the critically important and meaningful CONSIDERATION PHASE is not being done. Prior to 2006, the language on the IBO website regarding this phase encouraged schools to research IB's philosophy and requirements with staff and the community so that everyone was "on board" before moving ahead with the implementation of IB. Unfortunately, TAIB failed to record that language.
UPDATE - March 28, 2011 - Thanks to IB watchdog Deb Niwa, TAIB's undocumented memory in red above, is now verified:
During phase one of the application process, the school examines the IB Diploma Programme philosophy and curriculum to determine how they may be interpreted and applied in the school, and how they could meet the students’ needs.A thorough feasibility study should be conducted on the possible consequences of implementing the programme. All members of the school community should be consulted, including students, parents, teachers and heads of department.The IBO regional offices provide information and guidance in this process. As part of the feasibility study, and in order to examine the programme in depth, it is essential that schools obtain the relevant IB Diploma Programme curriculum guides and publications. These are available from the sales department of the International Baccalaureate Curriculum and Assessment Centre (IBCA), Cardiff UK. The IBO web site atwww.ibo.orgprovides a list of publications, along with information on how to order.
In 2006, IBO dropped the language which encouraged community discussion and revised it to make it "the school's" responsibility to conduct a "feasibility study" BEFORE making application:
Beforestarting the application process to become an IB World School, the school conducts a feasibility study in which it analyses the IB philosophy, programme structure and requirements, compares its findings with the situation of the school and defines what needs to be done in order to implement the programme.The head of school or designee participates in an IB workshop to become familiar with the IB programme and the authorization process. The school can contact the IB for support during this phase.
For those of us who are literate, that language seems pretty clear. As of November, 2010, IBO has devised a way to soak even more money from the taxpayers by attaching a $4,000 fee to the Consideration Phase. Why then, are American public school districts refusing to partake in this phase and why is IBO allowing them to do so?
The answer is clear. Once there is any sort of REAL investigation into IB's philosophy, design and requirements, those who have the ability to think critically about the implications of purchasing and implementing IB voice objections and could prevent the further waste of our taxdollars on this anti-American, elitist, outrageously expensive program. The only way for IB to gain a foothold in our public schools is to have ideological Principals, Superintendents and Board Trustees rush to spend your hard earned money before anyone discovers what they have done.
TAIB believes that any district which has moved forward with application to IBO without conducting a feasibility study consisting of the components described above, has committed educational malpractice and intentionally sought to defraud the public. Below, please find examples of how this is happening in Incline Village, Nevada, and Ozark, Missouri.
Bungalow Bill neatly summarizes and displays primary source documents obtained by Sgt. White regarding Ozark's lack of a feasibility study and its "strategic plan" which rushes to implement IB in less than one year, contrary to IBO's MINIMUM implementation timeline:
Incline Village, Nevada Paid IBO Consultant Claims Feasibility Study Was Done
November 24, 2010 - Can you say "Chutzpah"? When TAIB received a copy of Dr. Jerry Chris's letter swearing up and down that what the IV Task Force had done constituted a feasibility study, we could hardly believe our eyes. Aside from the fact that the Task Force minutes clearly reflect that the committee had never even voted to move ahead with IB, Dr. Jerry Chris is a PAID IBO CONSULTANT!!! This is akin to a used Cadillac salesman producing a Cadillac brochure to make the sale but refusing to produce the CarFax. Exactly how stupid does Superintendent Heath Morrison think the people are in Incline Village? Seriously? Kudos to John Eppolito, father of four, who has been fighting for a full year now to force Washoe County School District to be honest and forthcoming about its IB agenda. Eppy's filing of a FOIL for the district's IB Feasibility Study produced the .pdf below. Read it and weep.
TAIB has decided to send Mr 25 years with IBO an e-mail updating him on IBO's 2010 authorization process since he claims that this step is not required by IBO. TAIB also wonders what sort of "delay" Dr. Chris is referring to since Incline Village has forged ahead at breakneck speed to complete the Application process. (just for kicks, TAIB has cc'd IBO's Ombudsman, or as we like to call him, Mr. Hello!). The e-mail is posted below the .pdf.
I am writing on behalf of 315 concerned citizens of Incline Village, Nevada, regarding your letter in response to a request for public information concerning the IB authorization process. In your letter, you state that a feasibility study is not required by IBO as part of the Application process. While you may be playing semantics, a feasibility study and the Consideration Phase most certainly is part of the entire Authorization Process and should take place beforeApplication A is submitted to IBO. May I respectfully recommend that you consult with yourorganization's webpage:
CONSIDERATION PHASE
Beforestarting the application process to become an IB World School,the school conducts a feasibility study in which it analyses the IB philosophy, programme structure and requirements, compares its findings with the situation of the school and defines what needs to be done in order to implement the programme.The head of school or designee participates in an IB workshopto become familiar with the IB programme and the authorization process. The school can contact the IB for support during this phase.
Not only that, I see that IBOnow charges $4,000for the Consideration Phase that you claim in your letter is not required. How do you reconcile your statement with this fact? Furthermore, if as a paid consultant for IBO, you are deliberately obfuscating IBO procedure and "forgiving" stages of the authorization process in Incline Village in order to expedite final authorization, you are doing a tremendous disservice to the general public by engaging in deceitful tactics which by any observer's eye, cannot be viewed as "impartial". Please remember that Incline Village schools are part of a county-wide public school system, not private international schools. Additionally, your claim that the application process has been delayed a year is completely false. IV and IB officials have forged ahead with IB completely close-minded to objections and even a petition from the community to slow down and fully discuss the IB programs. The Applications for all 3 schools as well as the IB teacher training have taken place as you are fully aware and there has been not a scintilla of delay in Incline's race to be IB.
If the IBO had any integrity or sense of communitymindedness, it would immediatelyhalt the IB application process for all three schools in Incline and place the application fees in escrow until a thorough and complete feasibility study is conducted.
As you can see, I have attached your letter in case you need refreshing as to what you wrote. I have also cc'd parties central to the IB controversy in Incline. I would appreciate a reply. Thank you.
Regards,
Lisa E. McLoughlin
Truth About IB
" I am a lifelong educator, whose expertise is in current brain theory and how students learn best. Thus, I work with Advanced Placement, AVID, and students at risk, as well as addressing many other school needs. To imply that I am somehow employed by IB to use "deceitful tactics" is nothing short of a juvenile insult. " ~Jerry Chris
That's funny. Watch what Chris says in the video below!
Although I appreciate the humor in the title of your group ("Truth about IB"), I do not appreciate the unprofessional tone of your letter. Nevertheless, I will correct your inaccuracies. First, a "feasibility study" is always good business practice when money is involved; however, IB leaves it to each applicant school to determine what is best for that particular site. With the constant flood of prospective schools, IB's biggest concern is financial stability at the school. A school must demonstrate a commitment from the Board of Education for at least five years. Granted, there are possibly other concerns, but they are rare: religious extremists who fear critical thinking as a threat to their beliefs, teachers near retirement who do not wish to change the same lesson plans they have used for twenty years, 20th century isolationists who refuse to understand the global economy and international perspectives, etc. With IB offering the most respected curriculum available in the world, they hardly expect schools will balk at the opportunity. There is no $4000 form of which I am aware. In Incline's case, there is an issue with which they will have to cope -- the influx of students from the area (including those from private schools) who will seek a more rigorous education and better placement opportunities with the universities.
Secondly, you state emphatically that the DP program has not been delayed at Incline High School. In fact, the original timeline, when I was their consultant, was to have the site visit (inspection of applicant school by IB) this fall, with acceptance coming in the spring. This would then mean implementation of the program in fall 2011. When I left their consultancy, I was informed by a district representative, Serena Robb, that the timeline had officially been pushed back a year. In fact, the course outlines have not yet been submitted, and therefore, there can be no site visit this fall. Yes, many of the teachers have been to IB training; however, even if the school were not accepted by IB next year, that was money well spent. Any community should be overjoyed, in these days of negative views of education, to have their teachers receive state of the art training which can only benefit their students.
Finally, you should note that I am not employed at IBA in Washington, D.C. I am a lifelong educator, whose expertise is in current brain theory and how students learn best. Thus, I work with Advanced Placement, AVID, and students at risk, as well as addressing many other school needs. To imply that I am somehow employed by IB to use "deceitful tactics" is nothing short of a juvenile insult. In the future, please direct your venom where it belongs -- your school district. I will not open any further e-mails from you. And please, set an example for all students by seeking the truth before putting falsehoods in print.
Sincerely,
Jerry Chris, Ed.D.
____________________________________________________________________________________ Thanksgiving Day blessing: IBIV Short $75,000 for IB Fundraising
Ozark, Missouri District Denies Existence of Public Documents
November 24, 2010 - At least Incline Village tries to make the fantasmical case that what it did constituted a feasibility study. (Considering the clear bias by who was allowed to testify to such, this can hardly be called "admirable) In Ozark's case, TAIB isn't really quite sure what the district is trying to prove by refusing to produce any documentation in response to MSG Ronnie White's FOILs. You can read the bizarre refusal in the .pdf below. There are however, only two conclusions that can be drawn:
1. A feasibility study was never conducted
OR
2. The district is refusing to produce public information in violation of the Missouri Sunshine Law.
So - the Ozark Board of Education and its Superintendent Dr. Gordon Pace have a choice. They can admit that the proper steps to becoming IB were not done .... OR.... they can go on record as willfully and illegally withholding public information. One or the other. Either one constitutes educational malpractice and violation of the public trust.
Sgt. White's reply to the district's response can be found below the .pdf.
The following is information obtained by a Freedom of Information Letter to Dr. Pace, Superintendent/Custodian of Records:
According to Dr. Pace "there is no formal committee appointed by or at the direction of the Board and authorized to report to the board. Accordingly, there are no "public records" of a "public governmental body" responsive to this request. Information regarding the IB program, including the Feasibility Study, was not gathered through the use of a formally appointed committee.
Some questions arise: Why is Dr. Taylor giving monthly IB updates at the Board meetings if no formal committee was appointed to report to the board? Does his brief not constitute an official committee? Why does the Ozark High School IB Strategic Plan state that a committee was formed in August 2010? Who authorized the committee?What was the purpose of the committee? Where are the minutes required under the Sunshine Laws of Missouri? Why does application A, Item 8b state that a committee of teachers and administrators traveled to other school districts, if no committee was authorized? Who authorized this committee? Why didn't the Board require Dr. Taylor and his committee to complete the feasibility study instead of voting to apply for IB? Has Dr. Taylor become the public agent for IB and responsible for all information related to IB? If he is that agent, should he not be required to maintain records in accordance with Missouri Sunshine Laws?
The Board and Superintendent should read the IBO regulations:
CONSIDERATION PHASE
A school that wants to know more about the IB and its programmes is invited to complete the School information form in order to inform the IB of their interest and to request additional information.
Before starting the application process to become an IB World School, the school conducts a feasibility study in which it analyses the IB philosophy, programme structure and requirements, compares its findings with the situation of the school and defines what needs to be done in order to implement the programme. The head of school or designee participates in an IB workshop to become familiar with the IB programme and the authorization process. The school can contact the IB for support during this phase.
A feasibility study would fall into the category of a report or study, NOT an "internal memorandum". This "study" most certainly should be a written report with the analyses for consideration by the governing board BEFORE making application. There is absolutely NOTHING saying that said report or study had to be developed by an officially designated committee. "The school". I'm pretty sure anyone in "the school" is paid via public money. We can now conclude that:
1. No analysis of the IB philosophy, structure or program requirements was conducted nor compared with the situation of Ozark HS.
2. Either the district is lying, refusing to turn over the P.O.'s for whomever (Taylor) participated in the IB workshop pre - application, or no one participated. If no one participated, another term of the "Consideration Phase" was violated.
3. The district failed to conduct due diligence by skipping the "Consideration Phase" before committing public money towards IB.
From Implementing the IB Diploma Program by Marc van Loo & Kevin Morley: School Boards and administrators that are seriously considering the IBDP for their schools are urged by IBO to be transparent as possible from the earliest stages. Ozark Administrators and Board members have been anything but transparent.
The IBO feasibility study committee mission:
1. Develop a statement of transparency during the feasibility study. Not Done!
2. Explain why IBDP is desired for Ozark High School. Not Done!
3. Explain why IBDP is suitable for Ozark High School. Not Done!
4. Develop the IBDP committee Position Audit. Not Done!
5. Develop the IBDP committee Gap Analysis. Not Done!
6. Develop the IBDP committee Cost Analysis. Not Done!
7. Develop the IBDP committee Action Plan that describes the timeframe for DP implementation. Not Done
8. Explain the impact the decision to apply for IB would have on all stakeholders: the students, their parents, the teachers, the school as a whole, and the community at large. Not Done!
9. Explain how IBDP is different from the national education system. Not Done!
10. Explain of the value of the core curriculum (TOK, CAS, and Extended Essay). Not Done!
11. Explain the safeguards that will be in place to prevent IBDP from becoming a school within a school for elite students. Not Done!
12. Provide a list of targeted universities. Not Done!
13. Explain the proposed IBDP admission policy. Not Done!
If it has been done, then by whom? When? Where? Who authorized it? Where are the minutes? Where are the studies? Have the Missouri Sunshine Laws been followed?
IBO should deny Ozarks application due to the fact that the district/school has not followed the application process as established by IBO. To not deny the application would prove that IBO is in it for the money, you pay, you play! That simple. IBO should know that their IBDP is being opposed in Ozark, Missouri! The program at Ozark High School will not be successful! The proper planning was not accomplished by administrators and the program is being pushed behind closed doors with no transparency! IBDP will be seen as an elitist program within the school if the application is approved!
The news media should be all over this misuse of taxpayer money. Paying for an application to an International non governmental agency for educational curriculum material without the permission of those taxed! This might be unconstitutional, if that matters!
Our State and National Representatives need to wake up to the dangers of an International Educational Program infiltrating our State and Country! Especially one that has its roots in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the education arm of the United Nations! Surely the resources at their disposal far outreach anything I personally can do. If they are not aware of IBO's agenda shame on them. It is time to wake up and stop this insanity! STOP the infiltration of the IBO!
I did not shed my blood, sweat & tears on the frontiers of freedom for 21+ years and share my experience as a JROTC Instructor for going on seventeen years to allow an organization like IBO to indoctrinate America's youth to be world citizens, to inculcate the United Nations Human Rights Agenda upon those young Americans in the place of our Constitutional Rights! I believe in the Constitution of the United States and this program is designed to take our brightest and ensure they become progressives, global citizens that believe in collectivism, social justice and environmental justice! I will not stand by and just let this happen!
To those that desire to stop IB in Ozark, please disseminate this information to every taxpayer you know, not only in Ozark, but the entire state. Have them send me their email addresses for inclusion in my group address book! Look for a petition shortly to Stop this program! Enough!
Text version of this message. (2KB)
Dr._Chris_Feasibility_Study_Letter (2).doc (31KB)