ERIC Number: EJ821651
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Nov
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0305-0068
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Available Date: N/A
The Global Growth of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme over the First 40 Years: A Critical Assessment
Bunnell, Tristan
Comparative Education, v44 n4 p409-424 Nov 2008
The year 2007 was a highly significant one for "international education" in an "internationally minded school" context. It marked the fortieth anniversary of the first trial exam of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). This paper charts the rather random global growth of this programme, from it being a long-awaited experiment in international education sat by 147 students in two schools, to it being a curriculum offered in 1779 schools in 128 countries. It is shown how the initially Eurocentric bias of the global spread has become a distinct North American one. At present 35% of schools can be found in the US, whilst Africa accounts for only 2%. In 38 countries there is a single school offering the programme. The wider implications of this regional disparity are explored, concluding that perhaps the programme requires a more critical and planned growth strategy.
Descriptors: International Education, Foreign Countries, Educational Development, International Schools, Program Descriptions, Curriculum Development, Curriculum Implementation, Global Approach, Regional Characteristics, Program Evaluation, Etiology, Advanced Placement Programs
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Africa; North America
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