Saturday, May 15, 2010

"Black city students urged to learn Russian"

From the PG:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10135/1058363-53.stm

8 comments:

Questioner said...

Despite the title, the idea focuses more on the fact that a relatively large number of black students are studying Russian than giving reasons why black students should study Russian in particular.

Even more curious, though, is the fact that the article focuses on Russian at Schenley/IB but does not mention that the school will apparently no longer be offering Russian.

Mark Rauterkus said...

To study abroad is a grand idea. But, it is even better to spend the time away while in High School -- not college. The tuition is much, much less as a high school kid. Why pay for the travel and $10k for a semester when the same can be delivered in terms of value as a high school student?

But, sadly, the study abroad option is not embraced in the IB program in grades 11 and 12.

Go figure.

Anonymous said...

In the 2006 school year 2 students participated in a semester abroad. It can be done in the IB program.
The "program" does not embrace or reject this option.

Questioner said...

But can a student who studies abroad still earn the IB diploma? Parents report that the answer has been no.

Anonymous said...

I don't have an official answer to that but it seems like it should be doable. The IB was set up so that students around the world would be taught at the same level. It would probably take some research and planning to find a school that teaches the same level classes. For instance, because of its small size, Schenley does not offer many options. A student from another country's IB would not be able to take HL math or science here because Schenley doesn't offer it. I am not sure how the A and B languages would be tested.
amy (forgot my account info again)

Mark Rauterkus said...

The 13th year option would help greatly for those students who wanted to burn a semester or year abroad.

Going abroad is one thing. Going abroad and fitting into an IB School while away is another matter fully. I think it would be possible, as anything is possible, but very slim as a possibility.

We were told at a larger general meeting a while ago (1 year perhaps) that the only times it makes sense for a PPS kid in IB to go away for a semseter is before 11th and 12th grade. Otherwise it is nearly impossible to get in what is necesary.

Questioner said...

If an IB student in 11th grade decided to go abroad for a year, what would prevent that student from returning the next year and being in 11th grade classes? Isn't the 13th year option already built in?

Mark Rauterkus said...

I heard that RUSSIAN will NOT be an option at the IB School in the future. Go figure.