DMHS International Baccalaureate Program Vocabulary

American Government and Economics are each one semester classes that are graduation requirements at DMHS and which must be completed by all IB students. American Government and Economics are offered during the regular school day, during zero hour (see below) and as on-line courses that may be completed during the summer. AP American Government and Economics Honors are also offered.

CAS is an acronym for “Creativity Action and Service.” IB diploma candidates are required to devote 75 hours during each of their junior and senior years or 150 hours, in total, to CAS activities. Each year, students must dedicate 25 hours to each component of CAS. Participation in CAS, “encourages students to share their energies and special talents while developing awareness, concern and the ability to work cooperatively with others.” Reflection on their experience is also an important part of student involvement in CAS. Accumulation may begin with pre-approved hours during the summer before junior year. All school vacation hours must be pre-approved by the IB guidance counselor.

Core Requirements: The IB Diploma Program curriculum is composed of nine requirements. Six, of the nine, are referred to as “subject requirements.” (See below) Three additional requirements, TOK, EE and CAS are referred to as the “core requirements.”

Diploma Candidates are juniors and seniors who have submitted applications at the end of their sophomore year and have been accepted into the two year, IB Diploma Program.

EE is an acronym for “Extended Essay.” The Extended Essay is a required 4000 word, original research paper, written in an approved subject area. The paper is written outside of the class room, begun during March of the junior year and completed in November of the senior year. Students choose a faculty mentor and papers are graded by both their mentor and the IBO.

External Assessment: IB coursework that is sent to the IBO to be graded receives external assessment. This grade counts towards the student’s IB test score in that class. Universities welcome and value the reliability of externally assessed grades.

HLs, or Higher Level Classes, span two academic years. Students are required to successfully complete three HL classes in three different subject areas. Students write IB HL examinations in May of the second year during which the student has taken the class.

IBO or the International Baccalaureate Organization, is a non-profit Swiss educational foundation established in 1968.

IBA or IB Americas represents the IBO in North, Central and South America as well as the Caribbean.

Internal Assessment refers to the evaluation that a student’s teacher applies to IB coursework during the junior or senior year. A sample of graded assignments is sent to IBO for approval of the school’s grading standards.

Pre-IB was an SUSD term previously used to describe freshman and sophomore year preparation for the Diploma Program. Freshman and Sophomore DMHS IB Program Honors Courses are now referred to as “Pre-Diploma.”

P.E. or Physical Education is not a required course for DMHS IB students.

Subject groups: The IB Diploma Program curriculum is composed of nine requirements. Six of these requirements, are IB subject group courses, and include 1) language A1, literature in a student’s first language 2) second language 3) individuals and societies 4) experimental sciences 5) mathematics and 6) the arts. Three additional requirements, CAS, EE and TOK are also referred to as “core requirements.” (See above)

SLs or Standard Level Classes are classes that span one academic year. Students are required to complete three standard level classes. Students write IB SL examination in May of the year during which the student has taken the class.

TOK is an acronym for “Theory of Knowledge,” a two semester class taken by IB seniors. TOK challenges students to be aware of subjective and ideological biases and to develop the ability to analyze evidence that is expressed in rational argument. There is an emphasis on internationalism and cross cultural perspectives.

Zero Hour is the DMHS class period that precedes first period. IB students use zero hour to create the opportunity to fit certain courses into their schedules. Course offerings include American Government/Economics and electives of interest including AP Psychology, Service Learning, Marching Band and other fine arts classes.