The Foreign Service Journal, June 2013

88 JUNE 2013 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT students are also asked to choose a course of study that will emphasize either math and science or the humanities. As in the British system, math and science subjects are approached differently, so it might be difficult to transfer such credits. IB and AP Programs Both American and other interna- tional high schools are increasingly offering the International Baccalaureate program. The IB program is a very rigor- ous college preparatory curriculum with in-depth and integrated study of the core subject areas (i.e., mathematics, science, language arts, social sciences and foreign languages) at either the Higher Level or Standard Level. Students may take individual IB courses, opting for certificates for those they have completed, or they can seek to obtain the IB Diploma. The diploma requires additional work, consisting of an Extended Essay, completion of the Theory of Knowledge class and Creativ- ity, Action and Service hours. Final exams are externally evaluated by the Interna- tional Baccalaureate Organization, and grades are given on a seven-point scale (not the 0-100 point scale used in most American schools). Successful completion of the IB Diploma requirements is greatly respected by college admissions offices in the United States, but this course of study is not for the faint of heart. One common misunderstanding about the IB program is that it is transferable wherever one goes in the world. This is not exactly true: in fact, the diploma program is cus- tomized in each country and geographic area to reflect the local culture and history. Families need to confirm that all Too often parents, educators and society expect the gifted child to be able to fend for himself or herself. After all, they’re bright, right?