May 2017 IB Exams

2016-2017 is drawing to a close. IB Exams commence on Monday, May 1st and continue for SSIS students till Thursday, May 18th. You can find the following information useful:

May 2017 IB Examination Session

May 2017 SSIS Student Examination List – If you need to know where a student is and what exam the student is taking and when.

IA Uploads

April 20th marked the last day for all Group 1-5 (and TOK) selected samples to be uploaded to IBIS eCoursework. Group 6 has until April 30th.

Since SSIS is eliminating Semester Exams beginning 2017-2018, consider your proposed IA due dates. Can we move the majority of IA dates either before of by December of Grade 12? If we can move IA due dates by the end of semester one in Grade 12, this allows uploads in January for most classes before Tet. Adjusting the Mock Exam calendar is also under consideration. Completing the vast majority of IB IA and externally assessed components by Spring Break allows a greater focus on IB exam preparation.

Updates from IB Asia Pacific Global Conference in Yokohama

The IB Asia Pacific Global Conference held in Yokohama this past March was quite an interesting and engaging event. There are many changes to IB on the horizon. You will want to (and need to) check your OCC page about specific changes in your particular IB course.

A brief rundown of updates:

EE: Supervisors are advised to NOT make suggestions about EE grade or make any negative comments. Be honest, but also but aware of word choice.

* Group 4 IA marking is moving toward Dynamic Sampling to carefully standardize marking taking into consideration a student growth model versus just an evaluation model. Details are being worked out, but this is the direction that IB is heading.

* ACJ – Adaptive Comparative Judgement as formative and holistic where there is a move toward student led judgements to validate understanding.

* Emarking intended to provide more useful info for teachers/schools – data targeted to specific sections.

* Move toward more year-to-year evaluation model rather than 5-year surprise
Idea is to identify early and be more solution focused.

* MYP is being used to refine DP onscreen assessments (2019-2025 phase in) 2017-2018 work with schools.

* Math Studies and Further Math eliminated for two math tracks. The replacements are not yet finalized.

* ESS HL a real possibility

* DP may offer a 3 year model for certain students

*TOK & ATLs two vehicles for collaborative planning (ManageBac for monitoring)

* It is important for IB students to feel agency early on experience “failure as feedback” to build resiliency and creative solutions to their personal situations.

Year 1 IB Predicted Grades

As has been discussed since the beginning of the school year, providing a justifiable benchmark for IB Year 1 students at the end of their junior year is important for all stakeholders. There is just over 6 weeks of school remaining. All Year 1 IB teachers will need to provide their Year 1 IB students with a Predicted Grade in PowerSchool by the end of the grading period.

There will be a lunch session during Thursday, April 27th and after school on Friday, April 28th. All Year 1 IB teachers will need to attend a brief (20 minute) session on the why and how of this process. A form will follow soon to choose either session.