International Baccalaureate facts for kids
International Baccalaureate logo
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| Formation | October 25, 1968 |
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| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a non-profit group based in Geneva, Switzerland. It started in 1968. The IB offers four special education programmes for students of different ages.
These programmes are:
- The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for kids aged 3 to 12.
- The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students aged 11 to 16.
- The IB Diploma Programme (DP) for students aged 15 to 19.
- The IB Career-related Programme (CP) also for students aged 15 to 19.
For a school to teach these programmes, it must be approved by the International Baccalaureate organization. In 2007, the organization changed its name and logo. Now, "IB" can mean the organization itself, any of its four programmes, or the certificates students earn.
The IB Story: How It Began
Early Ideas for International Education
The idea for the International Baccalaureate started a long time ago. In 1948, a person named Marie-Thérèse Maurette wrote about "Educational Techniques for Peace." Her ideas helped create the framework for what is now the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP).
In the mid-1960s, some teachers from the International School of Geneva (Ecolint) formed a group. This group eventually became the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), which we now call the International Baccalaureate (IB).
The First Programme: IB Diploma
The main office for the IB officially opened in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1968. Their first big project was to create the IB Diploma Programme. The goal was to offer a qualification that students could use to get into universities anywhere in the world. This was especially helpful for young people whose parents moved a lot for work, like diplomats.
The IB wanted to provide standard courses and tests for students aged 16 to 19. Over time, the IB grew globally. Offices were set up in North America (1975), Africa, Europe, and the Middle East (1986), and Asia Pacific. Today, the IB has global centers in Geneva, Washington D.C., The Hague, Cardiff, and Singapore.
New Programmes Over Time
The IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) was first offered in 1994. Within five years, schools in 51 countries were using the MYP. A newer version of the MYP was launched in September 2014.
The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) started as a test programme in 1996 in 30 schools. The first official PYP school was approved in 1997. Within five years, 87 schools in 43 countries were offering the PYP.
The IB Career-related Programme (CP) was introduced in 2012.
Leaders of the IB
Many people have led the IB over the years. Alec Peterson was the first leader, called the Director General, from 1968 to 1977. The current Director General, since May 2021, is Olli-Pekka Heinonen. He was chosen by the IB's board of directors.
How the IB Works
The IB is a non-profit organization. This means it doesn't aim to make money for owners. Instead, it uses its money to improve its programmes and services. Schools buy products and services from the IB, like tests and learning materials. In return, schools offer these programmes to families.
The main office of the IB is in Geneva, Switzerland. The teams that handle testing and grading are in Cardiff, Wales. The team that designs the curriculum moved to The Hague, Netherlands, in 2011. There are also offices in Washington D.C., United States, and Singapore.
The IB is split into three main regions to help manage its global reach:
- IB Africa, Europe and Middle East (IBAEM), managed from The Hague.
- IB Americas (IBA), managed from Washington D.C.
- IB Asia-Pacific (IBAP), managed from Singapore.
There are also smaller groups called "sub-regional associations." These groups are made by and for IB schools, teachers, and students. They help schools use IB programmes and provide a place for people to talk and share ideas. There are 56 such groups around the world.
In 2003, the IB created the IB Fund in the United States. This fund helps raise money and keeps it separate from the money used for daily operations. The IB also makes plans to make sure its programmes are of the best quality. They also work to help students who might not have many opportunities get access to IB education.
The United States has the most IB programmes, with over 2,000 programmes offered in both private and public schools.
The IB works with governments and other organizations worldwide. It has a special status with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It also works with the Council of Europe and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).
Who Leads the IB?
The IB is led by a group called the IB Board of Governors. This board has between 15 and 25 members. They choose the Director General and decide the main direction for the organization. They also set policies, manage the IB's money, and make sure that the IB Diploma Programme exams are fair and independent.
The board members are chosen based on recommendations from other IB groups. They try to have members from different countries and backgrounds.
There are also other groups that advise the Board, like the Heads Council and Regional Councils.
See also
In Spanish: Organización del Bachillerato Internacional para niños
- Cambridge Assessment International Education
- European Baccalaureate
- List of International Baccalaureate people
- List of International Baccalaureate schools by country
