IB Program

One of the unfortunate myths about the IB Program is that it is "elitist" and designed for only the student with straight A's. This is untrue.

The design of the IB Program enables students to focus on the subjects in which they have special interest or aptitude. It also has more basic courses for students in areas in which they are weaker or less interested. Any student of average ability who wishes to challenge him/herself and is willing to work can succeed in the IB Program and is encouraged to work for the full Diploma. CAISL has an open policy to the IB program – all students are permitted entry. Some subjects however, require pre-requisites such as Language B, Physics, Mathematics HL and Music.

The IB Diploma Program and University Admissio

The IB Program is recognized worldwide as a rigorous program which both academically challenges young adults and ensures that they become well-rounded individuals who achieve both in and out of the classroom.

The universities in the United States are each independent entities which determine individually how they will assess IB work. Many schools will grant credit or advanced standing for high scores on IB exams just as they do for AP exams. All US universities view the IB program favorably and it weighs in the student's favor during the admissions process as indicating that the student is serious about his/her work and chooses to accept both the academic and personal challenges available to him/her.

Colleges and Universities in the United Kingdom accept Higher Level IB examinations as equivalent to "A" levels. Students who are considering attending college in the UK must, at minimum, enroll in three Higher Level courses and do well on the exams.

Other countries (The Netherlands and Korea, for example) may use either Predicted Grades, final IB exam results, or both to determine admission.

In Portugal the IB is well accepted by most Universities and courses. One advantage is the possibility of replacing the Provas de Ingresso by some IB exams. Please contact the IB Diploma Coordinator for more information at hs.ib@caislisbon.org

Please contact the College Counselor for further information on the acceptance of the IB Diploma at universities world-wide.

IB Diploma Program Introduction (slide presentation)

CAISL IB Handbook for Students and Parents

Students in IB classes are assessed in two ways. First, they earn marks for their work during the school year from their CAISL teachers just as occurs in all other classes. These marks are used to determine grade point average and rank in class and appear on the students' transcripts which are accepted by universities in the United States.

Second, students are assessed by the IB through a combination of external examinations, designed and graded by the IB, and internal course work, designed by the IB but assessed by the course instructor. The external examinations are held at CAISL in May. The internal components are assessed according to a schedule provided by the IB but generally are spaced throughout the year during the student's senior year.

Students who are not studying for the full diploma and who do not want certificate credit may still enroll in the course but are required to submit the same coursework (fully assessed by the course instructor, rather than jointly by the instructor and an IB examiner) and will be required to sit and take a final exam, also fully graded by the course instructor.

Please see below the following Policies and other Documents that are relevant to better understand the IB and its regulations.

Please contact the IB DP Coordinator at hs.ib@caislisbon.org for further information.

Assessment Policy

Academic Honesty Policy

Academic Honesty in the DP

Effective citing and referencing

Special Educational Needs Policy

The following information on the IB program and curriculum was taken and adapted from literature published by the IB Organization on their public website in 2018

Curriculum framework

IB Diploma Program students must choose one subject from each of five groups (1 to 5), ensuring breadth of knowledge and understanding in their best language, additional language(s), the social sciences, the experimental sciences and mathematics. Student may choose either an arts subject from group 6, or a second subject from groups 1 to 4.

At least three and not more than four subjects are taken at Higher Level (240 teaching hours), while the other subjects are taken at Standard Level (150 teaching hours).

In addition to disciplinary and interdisciplinary study, the Diploma Program features three core elements that broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills.

Group 1: studies in language and literature

It is a requirement of the program that students study at least one subject from group 1.

In group 1, students will study literature, including selections of literature in translation, and may choose to combine this with language or performance studies, depending on their choice of course. Students will choose to study their group 1 subject(s) in a language in which they are academically competent.

In studying the group 1 courses, students are able to develop:

• a personal appreciation of language and literature
• skills in literary criticism
• an understanding of the formal, stylistic and aesthetic qualities of texts
• strong powers of expression, both written and oral
• an appreciation of cultural differences in perspective

The range of texts studied in Language A courses is broad, and students grow to appreciate a language’s complexity, wealth and subtleties in a variety of contexts. A specific aim is to engender a lifelong interest in literature and a love for the elegance and richness of human expression.

Group 1 consists of two courses:

• Language A: literature
• Language A: language and literature

 Subjects available at CAISL:

Language A: English Literature

Language A: Portuguese Literature

Language A: English language and Literature

Language A: Portuguese language and Literature

Language A: Chinese language and Literature

Group 2: language acquisition

The main emphasis of the modern language courses is on the acquisition and use of language in a range of contexts and for different purposes while, at the same time, promoting an understanding of another culture through the study of its language.

At CAISL two levels: Ab initio and B are available to accommodate students’ interest in and previous experience of language. These two levels are offered in a number of languages.

Modern Languages

• Language ab initio courses are for beginners (that is, students who have little or no previous experience of learning the language they have chosen). These courses are only available at Standard Level.

Subjects available at CAISL:

Spanish ab initio
French ab initio

• Language B courses are intended for students who have had some previous experience of learning the language. They may be studied at either Higher Level or Standard Level.

Subjects available at CAISL:

English B
Portuguese B
Spanish B
French B

Group 3: Individuals and societies

Students are required to choose one course from Individuals and societies.

Subjects available at CAISL:

• Business Management
• Economics
• History
• Psychology
• Environmental systems and societies (SL only and transdisciplinary/may also count as Group 4)

All of these subjects may be studied at Higher Level or Standard Level except Environmental systems and societies, which is SL

Group 4: Sciences

It is a requirement of the program that students study at least one subject from group 4.

At CAISL five subjects are available:

• Biology
• Computer science
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Environmental systems and societies (SL only and transdisciplinary/may also count as Group 3)

All of these subjects may be studied at Higher Level, except Environmental systems and societies.

Interdisciplinary Subject

• Environmental systems and societies - which meets the group 3 and group 4 requirement.

Students explore the concepts, theories, models and techniques that underpin each subject area and through these develop their understanding of the scientific method.

A compulsory project encourages students to appreciate the environmental, social and ethical implications of science. This exercise is collaborative and interdisciplinary and provides an opportunity for students to explore scientific solutions to global questions.

Group 5: Mathematics

It is a requirement of the program that students study one course in mathematics.

Mathematics

These three courses in mathematics are available at CAISL until the examination session of May 2020:

• Mathematical studies SL
• Mathematics SL
• Mathematics HL

These three courses serve to accommodate the range of needs, interests and abilities of students, and to fulfill the requirements of various university and career aspirations.

As of September 2019, the following subjects are offered:

• Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches SL/HL
• Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation SL/HL

The aims of these courses are to enable students to:

• develop mathematical knowledge, concepts and principles
• develop logical, critical and creative thinking
• employ and refine their powers of abstraction and generalization.

Students are also encouraged to appreciate the international dimensions of mathematics and the multiplicity of its cultural and historical perspectives

Group 6: The arts

It is a requirement of the program that students choose one subject from each of the academic areas 1 – 5. Alongside these five courses, a student can choose to study a group 6 subject, or to study an additional subject from groups 1 – 5.  

The subjects in group 6 allow a high degree of adaptability to different cultural contexts. The emphasis is on creativity in the context of disciplined, practical research into the relevant genres.

In addition, each subject is designed to foster critical, reflective and informed practice, help students understand the dynamic and changing nature of the arts, explore the diversity of arts across time, place and cultures, and express themselves with confidence and competence.

At CAISL, three subjects are available to students at Higher Level or Standard Level:

• Music
• Theatre
• Visual arts.

The following information on the core requirements was taken and adapted from literature published by the IB Organization on their public website in 2018.The core of the curriculum model consists of three elements.

Extended essay

The extended essay of some 4,000 words offers the opportunity for IB students to investigate a topic of special interest related to one of the student's six Diploma Programme (DP) subjects/disciplines. An extended essay can also be undertaken in world studies. The world studies extended essay provides students with the opportunity to carry out an in-depth interdisciplinary study of an issue of contemporary global significance, utilizing two IB diploma disciplines.

Both types of extended essay (single-disciplinary and interdisciplinary essays) are intended to promote high-level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity expected at university. They provide students with an opportunity to engage in personal research in a topic of their own choice, under the guidance of a supervisor (a teacher in the school). This leads to a major piece of formally presented, structured writing, in which ideas and findings are communicated in a reasoned and coherent manner, appropriate to the subject or issue chosen. This leads to a major piece of formally presented, structured writing in which ideas and findings are communicated in a reasoned and coherent manner, appropriate to the subject. It is recommended that students follow the completion of the written essay with a short, concluding interview - viva voce - with the supervisor. In countries where interviews are required prior to acceptance for employment or for a place at university, the extended essay has proved to be a valuable stimulus for discussion.

Theory of knowledge (TOK)

TOK plays a special role in the Diploma Programme by providing an opportunity for students to reflect on the nature of knowledge, and on how we know what we claim to know.

The fundamental question of TOK is “how do we know that?” Students are encouraged to think about how knowledge is arrived at in different disciplines, what the disciplines have in common and the differences between the disciplinary. TOK therefore both supports and is supported by the study of other DP subjects, as students are required to explore knowledge questions against the backdrop of their experiences in their other DP subjects. Discussion and critical reflection form the backbone of the TOK course, centering around discussions of questions such as:

• what counts as evidence for X?
• what makes a good explanation in subject Y?
• how do we judge which is the best model of Z?
• how can we be sure of W?
• what does theory T mean in the real world?
• how do we know whether it is right to do S?

Through discussions of these types of questions students gain greater awareness of their personal and ideological assumptions, as well as developing an appreciation of the diversity and richness of cultural perspectives. The TOK course is assessed through an oral presentation and a 1600-word essay. The TOK presentation assesses the ability of the student to apply TOK thinking to a real-life situation, while the TOK essay takes a more conceptual starting point; for example, asking students to discuss the claim that the methodologies used to produce knowledge depend on the use to which that knowledge will be used.

TOK is a demanding and challenging course, but one which plays a crucial role in effectively preparing students for the complex and rapidly changing world they will encounter both during their DP experience and beyond.

Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

CAS - Creativity - Activity – Service. CAS enables students to live the IB learner profile in real and practical ways, to grow as unique individuals and to recognize their role in relation to others. CAS is organized around the three strands of Creativity, Action and Service defined as:

• Creativity - arts and other experiences that involve creative thinking
• Activity - physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle, complementing academic work elsewhere in the IB Diploma Program
• Service - an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student.

Students develop skills and attitudes through a variety of individual and group activities that provide students with opportunities to express their passions, personalities and perspectives. CAS complements a challenging academic program in a holistic way, providing opportunities for self-determination, collaboration, accomplishment and enjoyment.

Students are also required to undertake a CAS Project that challenges students to show initiative, demonstrate perseverance, and develop skills such as those of collaboration, problem solving, and decision making.

Each externally-assessed examination in the IB Diploma Program carries an extra fee paid by the parents to CAISL which then pays the IB. More information on the fee structure can be obtained from the Secondary School Principal or IB Coordinator at CAISL.

CAISL offers the following IB Courses. IB diploma candidates must select one course from each group, plus Theory of Knowledge.

* This subject can be either a Group 3 or a Group 4 subject. This is only a SL subject.