Does the International Baccalaureate 'Work' as an Alternative to Mainstream Schooling? Perceptions of University Students in Hong Kong

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  • Author(s): Wright, Ewan (ORCID Wright, Ewan (ORCID 0000-0003-2313-6181); Lee, Moosung (ORCID Lee, Moosung (ORCID 0000-0003-4206-9893)
  • Language:
    English
  • Source:
    Studies in Higher Education. 2022 47(3):693-708.
  • Publication Date:
    2022
  • Document Type:
    Journal Articles
    Reports - Research
  • Additional Information
    • Availability:
      Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
    • Peer Reviewed:
      Y
    • Source:
      16
    • Education Level:
      Higher Education
      Postsecondary Education
      Secondary Education
    • Subject Terms:
      Advanced Placement Programs; Nontraditional Education; College Students; Student Attitudes; Foreign Countries; Advantaged; College Preparation; Academic Ability; Communication Skills; Creativity; Critical Thinking; Cultural Awareness; Global Approach; Leadership; Time Management; Skill Development; Private Colleges
    • Subject Terms:
      Hong Kong
    • Accession Number:
      10.1080/03075079.2020.1793929
    • ISSN:
      0307-5079
    • Abstract:
      Across East and Southeast Asia, the International Baccalaureate (IB) is expanding and diversifying. More students from affluent families are 'opting out' of mainstream schooling to take the IB's Diploma Programme (DP), which is marketed as a distinctive skill-based education that prepares students for university. This research investigated how DP alumni reflect on their educational experiences in developing cognitive and non-cognitive skills and as preparation for elite universities in Hong Kong. An online undergraduate survey (n = 734) found that DP alumni self-perceived higher capacities than non-DP alumni in communication, creativity, critical thinking, cultural sensitivity, global-mindedness, leadership, and time management. In interviews (n = 42), DP alumni perceived the DP as a privileged educational experience that 'worked' in developing cognitive and non-cognitive skills. The DP alumni were overall positive about their DP experiences in developing skills for university preparation. However, there were complexities as the DP alumni also perceived that students from mainstream schools were often better prepared for pedagogy and assessments in the context of higher education in Hong Kong.
    • Abstract:
      As Provided
    • Publication Date:
      2022
    • Accession Number:
      EJ1336118