This petition is requesting full recognition from Arizona Universities for high school students who have participated in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. IB Students must accomplish a demanding schedule, composed of three (3) higher level classes, and three (3) standard level IB classes for both their Junior and Senior years in high school. Also, IB diploma students must succeed in the Extended Essay (a mandatory, 4,000+ word research essay), accomplish at least 150 CAS (creativity, action and service) hours, pass the Theory of Knowledge class, as well as successfully accomplish all IB requirements in order to receive an IB Diploma. Diploma students must also pass the required IB tests with the test scores with at least a 4 (out of 7) as set out by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in order to receive an IB Diploma. The vast majority of IB graduates educated in Arizona leave the state to attend prestigious universities all over the country and the world. Very few graduates of IB programs in other states come to Arizona to further their education at the undergraduate level. IB students are the best and brightest that American high schools have to offer and Arizona is rarely on their list of consideration higher education institutions. IB graduates are prompted to look at out-of-state colleges due to the lack of credit recognition in our state. Many states have already developed policies awarding numerous forms of recognition of IB exams. Public universities and private colleges in states such as California, Texas, Florida, and Colorado have pursued these policies in the interest of preventing a “brain drain” of their brightest students. We would like to replicate these successful models by suggesting the following recognition: • 24 credit hours should be awarded for IB Diploma holders who have scored at least a four on each of their six IB exams. Students who have taken IB exams, but have not completed the IB Diploma requirements should be awarded credits on an exam-by-exam basis. These credits should be assigned to specific subject areas as opposed to elective credit. The type of credit and/or resulting class placement should be determined after consultations with academic department heads. • Merit scholarships should be offered to IB Diploma holders. • The university should dedicate counselors who are familiar with the IB education model and can work to ensure that credits are properly assigned and that students are scheduled with a productive course of study while at your university. • The development of a policy which enhances likelihood of general admission and admission to university honors colleges by virtue of an IB Diploma. This score can be determined after consultation with college admissions representatives. The admissions process would include a recruitment policy whereby officials would visit IB schools to speak directly to IB Diploma students. Our recommendation is that these policies apply equally to students who have earned the IB Diploma (with the requisite scores) at secondary schools throughout the United States and around the world. This would ensure that Arizona universities are strongly considered by students possessing the outstanding critical-thinking skills and college-readiness demonstrated by IB students. Anticipated IB Diploma students that have applied to an Arizona university before having officially graduated with their IB Diploma will still receive credit and recognition from the AZ universities. Documentation will be requested by the university once received by the diploma graduate. Our hope is that these policies could be implemented by the fall semester of the 2009-2010 school year. ---------------------------------------------- This petition is co-sponsored and supported by the Arizona Association of IB World Schools. ---------------------------------------------- IB Diploma students are extremely qualified to receive university credit based on the extensive requirements required by the international Baccalaureate Programme. Please read the information provided on this link to fully understand the IB Diploma program: http://www.ibo.org/diploma/ PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO SUPPORT IB DIPLOMA STUDENTS AND RECOGNIZE THEM FOR ALL OF THIER PRECIOUS DEDICATION, PASSION, AND HARD WORK. THANK YOU