Four years ago, the city of Seattle threatened to shut down Rainier Beach High School. Nearly half of students failed to graduate on time and test scores were low.
But instead of looking to move the bar lower, the school took an ambitious approach with a 45-year-old program to turn things around. Rainier Beach High School became an International Baccalaureate (I.B.) school and implemented a globally recognized two-year college preparatory curriculum.
Similar to the better known Advanced Placement classes, I.B. encourages students to think critically and problem solve and seeks to place students on a path to college and overall success in a global society.
I.B. requires a three-year certification process. Rainier Beach High School hired new staff to implement the program and retrained teachers after receiving a federal grant for $3.5 million and additional state funding.
Students who want to earn a full I.B. diploma must complete several hours of homework each night and pass tests in six major subject areas.
Not all 600 students could handle the extra workload, but instead of all or nothing, Principal Dwane Chappelle made taking at least one I.B. course mandatory for all juniors and seniors.
Colin Pierce, the I.B. coordinator, said both students and teachers have struggled, and that’s a good thing.
“I think that’s part of the value of it, because they are not struggling alone,” Pierce said. ” They are struggling with people who believe they are going to make it to the other side.”
Now, about 80 percent of students graduate on time and enrollment has nearly doubled.
Warm up questions
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What are A.P. and I.B. courses?
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What is the purpose of these types of courses?
Critical thinking questions
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What are the pros and cons of implementing I.B. curriculum?
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Why is an I.B. curriculum not practical for all students?
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How might the I.B. curriculum be difficult for teachers to adjust to?
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What are some other ways that schools with low graduation rates and test scores can turn themselves around?
