The International Baccalaureate program : access and navigation of underrepresented students

Abstract

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is a choice program that many high school students are increasingly participating in to gain acceptance to desired postsecondary institutions, acquire college credit, and scholarship money. Despite the benefits, IB is not accessible to all students. There are several problems to consider for any student who wants to participate in the IB program but for students who are underrepresented, the problems are multiplied. The purpose of this study was to see what experiences underrepresented students have within IB. The narratives of the students included themes of strong relationships, managing stress, gaining confidence in skills needed for postsecondary success, and feelings of isolation and elitism. In addition to identifying themes, ideas for improving the program were also explored and suggested.