Requirements and Expectations to remain in an IB Course or the Full Diploma Program
*Note: if a student withdraws (or is removed) from an IB course or core component (EE, TOK, CAS) after January 15th of the school year in which the student is being assessed by the IB Organization, or fails to submit an IB internal and / or external assessment, or fails to attend an IB exam, the student will be required to reimburse AST all costs incurred. The breakdown of costs are here: IB Fees
Section One (below) covers the requirements and expectations which all IB students are expected to adhere to - to remain in an IB course.
Grade Expectations:
Students need to maintain an 84%, or higher, to remain in an IB course.
IB Full Diploma Candidates can have one of their six courses be 80%, or higher.
When the grade requirement is not met for two consecutive quarters, removal from the course is likely.
After not meeting academic requirements for two consecutive quarters, parents are not required to give permission to have their son / daughter removed from an IB course. This is done based on the data of academic success the student has acquired after two consecutive quarters. In many situations, students and parents will be notified, via email, as soon as the determination for removal is finalized. In cases where grade expectations are not met, but are close (within 3 percentage points) to the requirements identified, the IB course teacher, IB Coordinator, the student, and the parent(s) will meet in advance of the decision for removal from the course. In some cases, students may be allowed to remain in the course on a "probationary" status. The expectations the student needs to meet while on probation will be clearly identified.
Student Engagement Expectations:
Attendance: students with 10 or more unexcused absences for any specific IB course in any semester may be removed from that IB course. It is important to note, every 5 unexcused tardies = one "unexcused absence." Please know this policy is meant to help the students maximize their academic growth and success in the IB program. Effectively prioritizing one's activities and work-load is a lifelong practice that increases a person's chances to be healthy, happy, and prosperous. Being proactive is very important; if any student has concerns about the attendance expectations to remain in an IB course , please know you are welcome to discuss your individual situation with Mr. Dobbe.
Appropriate engagement in each IB course; this includes maintaining positive interactions and appropriate behaviors in the learning environment, adherence to teacher expectations in the classroom, and adherence to deadlines for the submission of all assignments. Particular attention to meeting the internal deadlines (determined by AST) for the submission of final drafts of any / all work in which The IB Organization will be assessing is very important; failure to meet these deadlines will result in removal from the IB course and the student will likely incur the fees associated with being withdrawn from the IB Course or CORE Component (CAS, TOK, EE).
For cases in which any identified Student Engagement Expectation (above) is not met, the IB course teacher, IB Coordinator, the student, and the parent(s) will meet; the purpose being to rectify the reoccurring problem. In most cases, students will be allowed to remain in the course on a "probationary" status. The expectations the student needs to meet while on probation will be clearly identified, and the student will be held to these expectations as a requirement to remain in the applicable IB course.
If you think an IB course is not a good fit for you at this time or at any time during the duration of your time in that course, it can be advantageous to speak with me, Mr. Dobbe. We can take a look at what's going on and I can help you determine if it's a good time to remove yourself from an IB course. In this scenario, a parent, or parents, need to be included in the conversation.
Students and parents are always welcome to discuss individual cases with Mr. Dobbe. Simply send me an email, and we can set up a time to meet: ddobbe@amschool.org