IB (International Baccalaureate) International Baccalaureate, or IB, describes an approach to curriculum and instruction that prepares students to be inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who are motivated to succeed. The program is offered in over 4,000 schools in more than 150 countries. Because the curriculum is globally relevant, rigorous, and consistent in its approach across schools, IB exam scores are accepted for college credit throughout the world, making IB students more competitive for scholarships and college access.

College & Career Readiness
Using the 21st Century Learning Framework and the Collaboration for Academic Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) to inform our education approach, all students will be college and career ready. With a focus on education the whole child, students will experience a rigorous instructional program and receive the necessary supports to be successful in high school and life. Students will have the opportunity to gain college credit or an industry certificate of value while still in high school.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Based on feedback from parents, students, teachers, and community members, the Douglass Cluster will formalize the Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) focus through STEM certification for every school in the cluster. Schools are aligning coursework and curricula for a seamless K-12 STEM program that builds critical thinking skills, leverages university partnerships, provides rigorous academic curriculum and meets the demands of a new workforce.

A K-12 signature program for the whole cluster ensures consistent practices across grade bands, continuity throughout academics and electives to build knowledge from one grade to the next, the capacity to plan across schools, and a necessary focus on improving math and science instruction to increase access to early college opportunities at the high school.

The STEM education focus incorporates several researched-based best practices proven to improve student achievement, including:

• Interdisciplinary instruction – students practice concepts from different content areas simultaneously
• Inquiry-based and project-based learning
• Collaborative learning
• Laboratory investigations
• Research projects
• Real-world experiences via work-based learning opportunities
• Access to Advanced Placement (AP); college Dual Enrollment; and Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs at the high school level STEM Implementation Chart

Why STEM?

• STEM occupations are projected to grow by 17{b326677ec948c5fca9a688406ff24b3207f7732500b97ace045da1ad486977b1} from 2008 – 2018, compared to 9.8{b326677ec948c5fca9a688406ff24b3207f7732500b97ace045da1ad486977b1} growth for non-STEM occupations.
• STEM workers earn 26{b326677ec948c5fca9a688406ff24b3207f7732500b97ace045da1ad486977b1} more than non-STEM counterparts.
• STEM schools report higher achievement with an average of 82{b326677ec948c5fca9a688406ff24b3207f7732500b97ace045da1ad486977b1} of elementary school students meeting math/science standards, compared to 69{b326677ec948c5fca9a688406ff24b3207f7732500b97ace045da1ad486977b1} in non-STEM schools.