Expanding Access to the International Baccalaureate
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- 2100 Words
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Introduction
The demand for a new paradigm of education organised on the principles of educating students for global citizenship, and providing them with the skills to adapt to a sea of global change, has resulted in the rapid growth of the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO). The IBOs success as a key global player within the field of international education has subsequently given rise to its own set of challenges, dilemmas and strategic imperatives. One of the most pressing strategic challenges of the organisation is opening up the access of its programs to those disadvantaged through economic or geographic disparities.
The IBOs rapid expansion and development of a near monopolistic brand in recent decades has attracted some criticism for its ad hoc expansion, maintenance of Western ideals, and a tendency for catering exclusively to the socioeconomic elite. In a revision of their expansionary policy in 2004, the IB redirected their growth strategy to a “growth and access focus”; purposefully increasing access to “disadvantaged students” within areas where the biggest impact could be leveraged. The drive to “increase the opportunity for more students to experience and benefit from an IB education regardless of personal circumstances” (“Mission and Strategy”, 2004).
connects with the ideals expressed by the founders original vision in the 1960s.
This essay will examine these challenges associated with the IBOs efforts to expand in a global market, where its brand is often synonymous with the mobile elite, and at the same time remain true to its strategic vision of providing increased access to those disadvantaged by geographic and financial circumstance.
Context
The dynamically changing global context ...
... middle of paper ...
... the IBO website http://www.ibo.org/ibaem/conferences/documents/MichaelWylie.pdf
IBO, (2006) From growth to access: Developing an IBO access strategy, Retrieved from the IBO website http://www.ibo.org/mission/strategy/documents/FromGrowthtoAccess.pdf
IBO, (2010) Increasing access for diverse schools and students, Retrieved from the IBO website http://www.ibo.org/recognition/resources/documents/AccessBrochure1.6.pdf
IBO, (2010) Gates Foundation awards IB grant, Retrieved from the IBO website http://www.ibo.org/media/gatesfoundationawardsibgrant.cfm
IBO, (2010) International Baccalaureate expands access to IB Diploma Programme courses, Retrieved from the IBO website http://ibo.org/announcements/documents/pamoja_ib_pressrelease.doc
IBO, (2010) Addressing Access – Final Report http://blogs.ibo.org/addressingaccess/files/2010/04/IB-Final-Report-0419101.pdf -
The demand for a new paradigm of education organised on the principles of educating students for global citizenship, and providing them with the skills to adapt to a sea of global change, has resulted in the rapid growth of the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO). The IBOs success as a key global player within the field of international education has subsequently given rise to its own set of challenges, dilemmas and strategic imperatives. One of the most pressing strategic challenges of the organisation is opening up the access of its programs to those disadvantaged through economic or geographic disparities.
The IBOs rapid expansion and development of a near monopolistic brand in recent decades has attracted some criticism for its ad hoc expansion, maintenance of Western ideals, and a tendency for catering exclusively to the socioeconomic elite. In a revision of their expansionary policy in 2004, the IB redirected their growth strategy to a “growth and access focus”; purposefully increasing access to “disadvantaged students” within areas where the biggest impact could be leveraged. The drive to “increase the opportunity for more students to experience and benefit from an IB education regardless of personal circumstances” (“Mission and Strategy”, 2004).
connects with the ideals expressed by the founders original vision in the 1960s.
This essay will examine these challenges associated with the IBOs efforts to expand in a global market, where its brand is often synonymous with the mobile elite, and at the same time remain true to its strategic vision of providing increased access to those disadvantaged by geographic and financial circumstance.
Context
The dynamically changing global context ...
... middle of paper ...
... the IBO website http://www.ibo.org/ibaem/conferences/documents/MichaelWylie.pdf
IBO, (2006) From growth to access: Developing an IBO access strategy, Retrieved from the IBO website http://www.ibo.org/mission/strategy/documents/FromGrowthtoAccess.pdf
IBO, (2010) Increasing access for diverse schools and students, Retrieved from the IBO website http://www.ibo.org/recognition/resources/documents/AccessBrochure1.6.pdf
IBO, (2010) Gates Foundation awards IB grant, Retrieved from the IBO website http://www.ibo.org/media/gatesfoundationawardsibgrant.cfm
IBO, (2010) International Baccalaureate expands access to IB Diploma Programme courses, Retrieved from the IBO website http://ibo.org/announcements/documents/pamoja_ib_pressrelease.doc
IBO, (2010) Addressing Access – Final Report http://blogs.ibo.org/addressingaccess/files/2010/04/IB-Final-Report-0419101.pdf -