Springfield, Ohio – Recognizing the power of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program’s “unique academic rigor and emphasis on students’ personal development” in high schools across the country and around the world, the faculty at Wittenberg University has approved the adoption of a new IB-friendly policy effective immediately.
The new policy will allow IB diploma holders who achieve a score of 4 or better on required tests to earn up to 29 credits, essentially allowing them to enter Wittenberg with sophomore status. IB diploma holders will also now receive four credits for English 101 as a writing-intensive course if they receive a grade of “B” or higher on the IB extended essay. Additionally, the Wittenberg policy provides for a faculty IB adviser; the opportunity to engage with Wittenberg’s award-winning Writing Center to prepare their required IB Extended Essay for publication or for further development as an independent study project; an annual IB banquet geared at introducing IB students to each other; and the chance for domestic IB students to have an international IB student roommate on space-available basis.
Initiated by Ty Buckman, vice president for strategic initiatives in partnership with Wittenberg’s Office of Admission and Wittenberg Parents Association Co-Chairs Steven and Kristen Roach, whose son Aeron, Wittenberg class of 2015, earned an IB diploma while in high school, the new policy has already received considerable praise from high school IB coordinators.
"This policy is absolutely phenomenal,” said Eric Bringardner, International Baccalaureate coordinator for Dublin Coffman High School in Dublin, Ohio. Beyond offering credit, “it really gets at the heart of what it means to be an IB student and rewards their educational risk-taking both socially and academically. The sophomore status will allow students to further their intellectual curiosity, allow for potential double majors and alleviate schedule difficulties that frequently arise when planning semesters abroad. The advisor and banquet will help continue the cohort-like atmosphere that the IB program fosters.”
According to the IB website, “there are more than 3,900 high schools that teach IB programs. Those schools employ over 70,000 educators, teaching more than one million students worldwide." Additionally, the IB “offers a continuum of international education.”
Conversations with families of IB students and IB coordinators about Wittenberg’s new policy also continue to elicit strong support.
“We are hearing such positive feedback, including ‘Finally! A higher ed institution that fully understands IB. Probably one of the best IB policies in the nation,’’’ noted the Roaches.
