Schools

IB Decision for Streams Elementary Delayed

The traditional program may be 'phased out.'

The decision on whether to make an all-IB school will be made in February at the earliest.

had previously thought a decision would be made in January.

He told school board members Monday night that all curriculum recommendations will be delayed until February because of the amount of work that has had to go in creating an early preliminary budget and the process to apply for a state tax exception.

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Dr. O'Toole said he would be contacting the International Baccalaureate Organization to see if they would allow to phase out the traditional program at Streams. That means students currently enrolled in the traditional program would be able to remain at Streams until they graduate from fourth grade.

"We are looking at a less disruptive change to the process," Dr. O'Toole said.

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Currently, there is only one classroom of students in the traditional program at each grade level.

If Streams does become an all-IB school, kindergarteners would also be enrolled in the IB program. However, that option won't be available until perhaps the 2012-13 school.

"We need time to plan that better," Dr. O'Toole told Upper St. Clair Patch.

Although it appeared Dr. O'Toole was in favor of making Streams an all-IB school, he told board members the program was still under scrutiny as they look for ways to balance next year's budget.

However, Dr. O'Toole said cutting the IB program at Streams would not significantly cut the budget.

He also pointed out to board members that school choice options, like cyber and charter schools, . He said the district is in the business of competition and families shopping for schools. He told board members IB has worldwide recognition and said a study found that there are multiple languages spoken in the homes of Upper St. Clair residents.

Upper St. Clair Patch will continue to follow any developments in the decision on whether to make Streams an all-IB school or not.


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