Schools

District Officials, Residents Debate Value of IB Program at Streams

The Upper St. Clair School District must decide whether to make Streams Elementary an all-IB school.

The audience was divided in opinion Monday night at the 's held to discuss the possibility of converting into an all-International Baccalaureate school.

Nearly 50 people attended the "open microphone" meeting held at , according to the sign-in sheets.

Voices grew loud and audience members argued at times, as Superintendent Patrick O'Toole warned, "This will be civil and respectful or it will be over."

Find out what's happening in Upper St. Clairwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Some residents attended the meeting to speak out against the IB program, other residents came to support the IB program and the rest of the crowd seemed as if they were simply trying to figure out if they should enroll their children in the IB program or not.

The International Baccalaureate Organization is mandating that the Upper St. Clair School District designate one elementary school entirely to the Primary Years Program, which is the IB program designed for students grades one through four.

Find out what's happening in Upper St. Clairwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It is a requirement of the IBO, they don't support the school within a school concept," Dr. O'Toole said.

PYP is currently only available at Streams Elementary. According to O'Toole, approximately 390 of the 485 Streams Elementary students are enrolled in PYP, with another 40 students on a waiting list. O'Toole said these numbers are making the school "operationally challenging" to run.

If Streams Elementary does become an all-IB school, students in the traditional learning program would then be shifted to or . There are 430 students enrolled in Baker and 500 students enrolled in Eisenhower at this time, according to O'Toole.

"Last time we did redistricting we let kids and siblings finish out in that school ... There has a been a commitment to those issues," O'Toole said. "No decision has been made.

"Our enrollment has been stable ... and ... We are paying attention and working with the township in terms of enrollment growth."

A common question residents had on Monday was how the IB program differs from the traditional learning program. Dr. Claire Miller, principal of Streams Elementary, said the two programs follow the same curriculum, but IB teachers work on ways to incorporate "four cornerstones," which includes inquiry, learner profile terms, community action and international mindedness.

Deb Levy, a parent of Eisenhower Elementary students said, "It sounds like my kids are doing the same thing (as the kids in PYP at Streams Elementary) ... it doesn't sound like their is much of a difference to create this much animosity."

"It's the approach to teaching that's different," said Atlanta native Charlene Dougal.

Dougal and her family moved to Upper St. Clair 19 days ago because the school district was the only in Pittsburgh to offer the IB program.

Some audience members said making Streams an all IB school would create segregation. One parent asked the panel of three district administrators, Miller and four PYP teachers, if they thought it would be bad for the traditional students who wouldn't be able to interact with IB students at school.

"That is our concern," said Dr. Judith Bulazo, director of literacy, assessment and professional development.

"It's good to hear from the community and hear what these questions and comments are ... instead of backtracking later," O'Toole said.

Before a final decision can be made in January, O'Toole said the administration "needs to do a little more homework."

He said he does not know if making Streams an all IB school would cost or save the school district money. The IB program at Streams Elementary, the s and the costs the district between $225,000 and $300,000 a year, according to O'Toole.

Bulazo said the district pays $7,500 a year to offer the PYP program. That cost can increase about $3,000 a year if teachers need training.

Twelve Upper St. Clair High School students graduated with an IB diploma in 2011. Hundreds of students received the Middle Years Program certificate and decided not to take the "more rigorous" diploma program offered to students in grades 11 and 12, according to O'Toole.

"We always want more IB diplomas, just like ," O'Toole said. "There are many options for kids ... that's one of the beauties of the school district."

Students who take Advanced Placement courses in high school take an exam at the end of the course. A score of four or five can typically give the student credit for the course in college.

If the school board does decide to make Streams Elementary an all-IB school, O'Toole said the change could go into place for the 2012-13 school year.

Four school board members attended Monday night's meeting, including , Bruce Kerman, Louis Mafrice and . School board candidate was also in attendance.

"We will have a great school district with or without PYP," O'Toole said.

"Our passion is that we're doing the best thing for all children," Miller said.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here