John Eppolito Former K-12 Teacher Father of four Incline Students

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John EppolitoFormer K-12 TeacherFather of four
Incline Students

• www.MyInclineVillage.com
• IB is not a good fit for
• Incline Schools

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What we have now at I.H.S.

• In 2009 - 69 of our 75 of our graduates were
  college bound
• In 2010 we had 84 graduates - 34 earned honors
  diplomas, and 14 earned advanced diplomas, very
  impressive for a school our size!
• Strong AP program with 16 AP classes second
  most in the District
• By many measures IHS is the best high school in
  Tahoe and WCSD
• Here is a list of where our 2010 graduates will
  go to college and/or have been accepted

3

• John Hopkins University Boston College
• University of Chicago Boston University
• Pomona College University of Pennsylvania
• UCLA Duke
• Cal Poly Georgetown
• Syracuse University Northwestern
• Tufts University Berkeley
• University of Colorado USC
• Southern Methodist University University of
  Virginia
• SUNY Cortland NYU
• University of Edinburg Claremont McKenna
• University of the Pacific University of
  Cambridge
• Weber State University Washington University
• Annapolis Naval Academy Santa Clara University
• UNR Tulane
• SNC Waitlist Princeton, Yale, Columbia

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Many of the students getting into these top
schools went to Incline public schools K-12
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What can we expect with IB?
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The IB supporters compare us to Aspen Yosemite

• When compared to these high schools we can expect
  between 2 6 IB diplomas per year
• Aspen (started IB 2002)- 530 high school students
  10 IB diplomas last year. Equates to 6 IB
  diplomas for IHS, 337 high school students
• Yosemite (started IB 1997) almost 1,000 students
  5 IB diplomas last year. Equates to 2 IB
  diplomas for IHS.
• In the 09-10 school year we had 80 students who
  took at least one AP class.
• We will be going from about half of our students
  taking at least one AP class prior to graduation
  to maybe 5 of our graduates getting an IB
  diploma.

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IB Will

• Only benefit the few kids who get the IB diploma
• Put the top students (who do not get the IB
  diploma) at a disadvantage when applying to top
  colleges
• Eliminate flexibility and hurt our lower level
  students who currently have the option to be
  exposed to a college level class while in high
  school. With IB most of our straight AP classes
  will be no longer be offered

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Increase college cost for most of our graduates

• 45 of Incline Highs 2009 college-bound students
  went to UNR or TMCC.
• UNR gives credit for all our AP classes. UNR
  only gives elective credit for the IB diploma and
  no credit for an IB certificate
• TMCC gives credit for all our AP classes . TMCC
  gives no credit for IB even if the student has an
  IB diploma.
• Some of our 09 graduates got up to a year of
  college credit because of their AP classes.
• Just between UNR and TMCC - 45 of our
  college-bound students would see increased
  college costs if IB is implemented.
• With AP many graduates from WCSD schools have
  entered schools like UNR and BYU as sophomores.

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College Credit

• According to Crux Research
• More than 90 of colleges and universities in
  the US accept AP exams for credit and/or
  placement. While the percentage of US
  universities recognizing IB is less than 50.
• A majority of the schools that give college
  credit for IB classes ONLY give it for the HL
  courses which are TWO YEAR classes.
• List of credit/advanced placement for 23 top
  colleges
• http//www.princeton.k12.oh.us/HighSchool.cfm?subp
  age416

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AP to IB/AP

• The District has told us that since our school is
  so small many of our AP classes will be combined
  with IB courses. When this is done, per the IBO,
  the IB curriculum must take priority. So our AP
  classes turn into IB classes and
• By definition
• AP College Level
• IB College Prep.
• For IHS IB is a downgrade

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Most schools do not attempt to combine AP IB
because the curriculum is very different,
especially in math, social studies, and the
sciences.

• Wooster Magnet Program - Over 1,600 kids -
  AP/IB combined
• Granite Bay High School 2,200 students - 17 AP
  classes - IB AP classes are taught separately
  (except French Japanese). 2010 1st IB diplomas
  
• Oakmont High School, Roseville 1,700 students -
  12 AP classes. Most IB AP classes separate.
  2010 1st IB diplomas
• Luther Burbank High School, Sacramento 2100
  students - 8 years with IB no AP classes left,
  IB only. Three (3) IB diplomas in 2009. Most
  ever IB diplomas - 11 one year.
• Mira Loma High School, Sacramento (Magnet ?)
• Al-Arqam Islamic School, Sacramento (Private)

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Our high school is too small IB MUST dominate
the schedule

• For the IB diploma 11th and 12th grade students
  MUST take 10 required courses
• As of 5/13/10 some of the controversial TOK
  classes would be evening classes.
• IB will most likely have a negative impact on
  AP, WtP, JROTC, the PLC program, and sports

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• Athletic director left IHS
• The way we are attempting to save We the People
  is not ideal (see fact sheet).
• Some say WtP will not survive if IB is implemented

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Reported by Washington Times

• Mrs. Hurley, the admissions director for the
  University of Virginia, said If you are at an
  IB school and you are not going for the IB
  diploma, dont waste your time applying to UVA or
  any other top-rated schools. Your childs
  application will go to the bottom of the
  admissions pile.
• http//www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/jan/17/20
  040117-115053-8186r/

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An IHS science teacher told me, if your kid is
good in math science DONT go for the IB
diploma. Then I mentioned it will decrease
their chance of getting into a top college. He
said, yes I know.
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Last year we were told by the District IB would
increase enrollment.
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And now Pedro is saying, it is highly
speculative to think IB will increase
enrollment! This year we are being told by Mr.
Martinez the primary goal of IB is to increase
graduation rates.

• 2/11/10 Tahoe Bonanza
• http//www.tahoebonanza.com/article/20100210/NEWS/
  100219988parentprofilesearch

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There is evidence of IB decreasing enrollment -
when forced in Fairfax County, VA Statistical
data indicates an exodus from South Lakes
coincides with the implementation of the IB
program at South Lakes.

• http//www.fairfaxcaps.org/html/ap_vs_ib.shtml.

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There are people who will leave Incline if IB is
implemented

• Chad Miraglia, It is an absolutely irrational
  path to convert IHS to IB.  Im not convinced IB
  makes sense anywhere.  My kids will not attend an
  IB school, whether in Incline or anywhere else. 
  If that means driving to Reno or moving out of
  Incline Village, so be it.
• http//myinclinevillage.com/2010/06/01/chad-miragl
  ia-52110-people-are-leaving-because-of-ib-2.aspx

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When we wanted to find our true graduation rates
we contacted Jim Grace the WCSD Reporting
Specialist.

• Mr. Grace referred us to the Nevada Report Card
  website for IHS graduation information. According
  to the Nevada state website the graduation rate
  for IHS from 2007 to 2009 (three years) has been
  between 85 - 86
• http//www.nevadareportcard.com/Compare/selection.
  aspx?levelidS

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Pedro is misleading us by quoting a graduation
rate for Incline that is much lower!
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Even if Pedros graduation rates were accurate
there is NO PROOF IB will increase enrollment OR
increase graduation rates, when implemented as it
would be in Incline.
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We all want better schools
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If IB was the answer, the District would not have
had to threaten to transfer teachers who do not
support IB.

• Bonanza 1/14/2010
• http//www.tahoebonanza.com/article/20100111/NEWS/
  100109945/1061parentprofile1050

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Mr. Clark Mr. Brown

• Retired IHS principal Mr. Clark told the Bonanza
  he expressed concerns about the method and pace
  of IB implementation at the Incline campus. He
  also said the WCSD should slow implementation and
  concentrate on collecting buy-in from teachers
  and parents. Mr. Clark also said, "The majority
  of teachers do not like IB. They do not want it.
• Steve Brown, science teacher, told the Bonanza,
  a large majority of our faculty is hesitant
  about implementing IB.
• http//www.tahoebonanza.com/article/20100701/NEWS/
  100639992/1061ParentProfile1050
• http//www.tahoebonanza.com/article/20100518/NEWS/
  100519901parentprofilesearch

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Jay Matthews

• Jay Matthews Washington Post education reporter,
  author of Newsweek's Challenge Index, and
  Supertest who is a big IB proponent, told an
  Incline parent "I would NOT recommend a school
  dump AP if that program is thriving." He also
  said in relation to Inclines AP program it is,
  "just about perfect."

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IB is a UN sponsored programme. THE DISTRICT
AND SOME IB SUPPORTERS WANT US TO RISK EVERYTHING
THAT IS GOOD AT OUR HIGH SCHOOL, AND FORCE THE UN
IDEOLOGY ON ALL OUR STUDENTS!

• http//myinclinevillage.com/2010/07/16/even-jay-ma
  tthews-admits-colleges-give-more-credit-for-ap.asp
  x

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Dr. Thomas Sowell of the Hoover Institute at
Stanford calls IB an, indoctrination, a fad
program that distracts American public schools
from real education in real subjects.

• http//www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell022604
  .asp

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Only.2 of elementary schools in the US are IB

• There are only about 200 elementary IB schools in
  the USA out of about 100,000 elementary schools
  total. IB is almost always a choice!
• Incline may be the first schools in the country
  were IB is forced on all students and privately
  funded.

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At the elementary and middle schools

• IB will do nothing to get our schools off the
  watch lists

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Elementary Level IBO website

• Six trans-disciplinary themes which are
• who we are
• where we are in place and time
• how we describe ourselves
• how the world works
• how we organize ourselves
• sharing the planet
• Teachers are guided by six trans-disciplinary
  themes as they design units of inquiry that both
  transcend and articulate conventional subject
  boundaries.
• Then they talk about the five traditional subject
  areas plus physical, personal and social
  education.
• Many people feel Personal and Social education
  should be taught at home NOT with a UN sponsored
  ideology
• It is easy to see why only .2 of elementary
  schools in the US use IB
• http//www.ibo.org/pyp/curriculum/index.cfm

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Some people have religious concerns with IB

• http//www.wpaag.org/International20Bbaccalaureat
  e20Program201.htm
• http//www.gtbe.org/news/index.php/1/22/186.html
• http//www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/082509_unesco.
  pdf

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Will people stay away from Incline because of IB?

• Politically we are a center-right community. I
  acknowledge the fact that some in our community
  like the UN. But FORCING the UN (or any)
  ideology on ALL our students is problematic.
• The biggest impact of IB over time would likely
  be the people who DO NOT move their families to
  Incline because IB is the only choice in our
  public schools. One of the high school teachers
  predicted with IB our high school will go from
  337 down to about 200.

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THE RESIDENTS OF INCLINE HAVE MUCH MORE TO LOSE
THAN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IF IB FAILS!
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If the Superintendent, Heath Morrison, and Deputy
Superintendent, Pedro Martinez truly cared about
Incline they would not rush IB implementation.
They would listen to our community be honest
with us about the negative implications of IB,
especially on the h.s. schedule and attempt to
get teacher and parent buy-in to IB. IF WE HAD
ENOUGH PEOPLE TO SPEAK UP WITH THEIR CONCERNS
ABOUT IB WE COULD FORCE THE DISTRICT TO LISTEN TO
US!

• Heaths (and possibly Pedros) contracts with
  WCSD expire in spring 2013.

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There are only 16 K-12 IB districts in the
country.
According to Pedro Martinez (WCSD)

• Four of them have had major problems with IB
  including
• A law suit with the ACLU forcing a District to
  keep IB in place against its will
• Dropped IB programs
• Controversy and people leaving the schools
  because of IB

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General regulationsAll Three Programmes IBO
website

• Any dispute shall be finally settled by one
  arbitrator in accordance with the Swiss Rules of
  International Arbitration of the Swiss Chambers
  of Commerce. The seat of the arbitration shall be
  Geneva, Switzerland.
• With IB we will be giving up control of our
  dominate K-12 educational program to the IBO.

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www.TahoeBonanza.com

• Two IB Polls in the on-line Bonanza
• Do you support the implementation of
  International Baccalaureate at Incline's public
  schools?
• 1st poll ended 10/7/09 (BEFORE I got involved)
• 46 against IB
• 34 for IB
• 2nd poll ended 1/11/10
• 2 to 1 AGAINST IB

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Petition

• Currently we have 275 signatures (about 200 are
  local) on our petition to stop IB (our goal was
  200), pretty impressive for Incline. We the
  under signed do not believe that IB is a good fit
  for Incline Village.http//www.petition.fm/petit
  ions/noibiniv
• The District has decided to ignore the petition!

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IB is typically implemented as a magnet program
at low performing schools OR as an optional
program.INCLINE IS TOO SMALL FOR PEOPLE TO
HAVE A CHOICE - ITS IB, LTS (if you can afford
it), OR MOVE!
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At least 13 Schools Drop IBSince 2/19/10

• 2/24/2010 Santa Ynez, CA Similar to Incline.
  They raised 70,000 and had 70,000 in matching
  funds promised,
  http//www.santamariatimes.com/news/local/educatio
  n/article_a00ff190-2117-11df-a079-001cc4c002e0.htm
  l
• 2/19/10 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Chino CA
  Reports discontinuing the International
  Baccalaureate programs at Don Lugo High School
  and Anna Borba Elementary School
  http//www.dailybulletin.com/ci_14438613
• 2/22/2010 the Arapahoe Herald (CO) reported -
  The board recommended eliminating the
  International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Field
  Elementary School and Newton Middle School
  http//my.hsj.org/Schools/Newspaper/tabid/100/view
  /frontpage/articleid/337276/newspaperid/782/Budget
  ary_problems_Tough_Decisions_Ahead.aspx
• 3/12/10 Redwood City Elementary School District ,
  CA (at least one elementary school will drop IB)
  http//www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?
  id126690titleDistrict20approves2014020layoff
  s

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• 3/24/2010 William Fleming High School, will drop
  IB, Roanoke, VA http//www.roanoke.com/news/breaki
  ng/wb/240973
• 3/25/2010 Falcon School District, CO drop IB
  program as reported in The Gazette They had 2
  PYP, 1 MYP, and 1 DP
• http//www.gazette.com/articles/school-96152-dist
  rict-falcon.html
• 4/4/2010 Hoboken, NJ Hoboken Reporter announces
  they will drop IB,
• http//kidsfirst2009.blogspot.com/2010/04/no-new-
  taxes.html
• 4/27/2010 Prior Lake-Savage School District, MN
  drop MYP, as reported in the Star Tribune,
• http//www.startribune.com/local/south/92274904.h
  tml?cachenuccb1272458181post_comments

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Most Districts that drop IB usually do it within
the first 10 years of paying for and implementing
the program and the reasons most often stated are

• Cost
• Lack of student participation in IB
• Less flexible than AP
• No improved student performance
• Lack of college credit for IB

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Middle School Program (MYP) Research Currently
Available

• One of the only quantifiable and in-depth study
  of Middle Years Program (MYP) I could find to
  date, compared test scores of IB MYP students
  with those of non-MYP students. The study was
  conducted by a doctoral student at the Virginia
  Polytechnic Institute and State University in
  2006. In her thesis, Dr. Jackson concludes
• that the outcome of the IBMYP group on
  standardized exams did not achieve a level of
  statistically significant difference (lt.05)
• http//myinclinevillage.com/2010/07/31/dissertatio
  n-found-no-statistically-significant-differences-b
  etween-ib-and-nonib-students.aspx

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Denver Public Schools IB Prospectus by Rob Stein

• There is no available evidence that the IB will
  increase student achievement in DPS schools or
  that the IB has had a positive effect on student
  achievement in similar districts or schools. A
  thorough search of the literature has netted no
  empirical studies on the effects of IB on student
  achievement. The IBO, itself, publishes no such
  results.
• http//blog.ednewscolorado.org/wp-content/uploads/
  2009/12/IB-Plan.pdf

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IB is the most controversial educational program
available!
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More IB Facts

• IB has divided communities through out the
  country and created law suits
• Already mentioned one law suit here are a couple
  more
• Fairfax County, VA law suit
• DeKalb, GA Discrimination law suit 3/3/2010
• There is no evidence of a school ever being
  turned down for IB, provided all the checks
  clear. www.TruthAboutIB.com
• IB is hardly ever forced on ALL STUDENTS!

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Other ProgramsThat were NOT considered by The
task force

• Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID)
  Wouldnt cost anything to implement at IHS
• The APID (college level) more rigorous than IB
  (college prep.)
• AP is the most widely-utilized school based
  academic program in the world, according to Crux
  Research.
• SpringBoard (6-12) SpringBoard is a program from
  the college board to prepare students to be
  successful in AP classes. We have over 40 of
  our IHS kids being exposed to a college level
  class while still in high school (which is high).
  The SpringBoard program could help us get that
  up to 60 70.

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Core Knowledge K-8

• Where educated/professional parents have a choice
  between Core Knowledge and IB in Colorado - it is
  the Core Knowledge neighborhoods that have seen
  increased demand for real estate.
• It is much cheaper, not controversial, and there
  is evidence to show increased student performance
  with Core Knowledge.

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As Harry Haaser (retired elementary and middle
school principal and task force member) told the
Bonanza in March 2010 The Task Force
recommended an Investigation Stage of IB but it
never occurred-

• http//www.tahoebonanza.com/article/20100331/NEWS/
  100339982parentprofilesearch

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The IBO required feasibility studies were NOT
done.

• Question on IBO application - "Please indicate
  any major difficulties and/or concerns that you
  have encountered during the feasibility study and
  how you have, or intend to, overcome them.
• IMS Answer - "There was no feasibility study
  done.
• http//www.truthaboutib.com/images/MYP.pdf

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THE DISTRICT DOES NOT WANT OUR COMMUNITY TO HAVE
AN OPEN AND HONEST IB DISCUSSION! Not only did
the District skip the investigation stage and
Feasibility Study, they successfully killed the
Bonanza sponsored community forum, by silencing
our first three AP panel member choices.
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Bill Horn told the School Board

• It will be disastrous if the School District
  does not slow down and listen to those who are
  opposing the implementation of an IB Program in
  IV and CB.

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The fast track implementation of IB is common
through out the country! This is what just
happened last year in St. Helena.

• I recently spoke with a high school teacher from
  St. Helena who told me, IB is the worst thing my
  district has ever done.

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Lisa McLoughlinfrom TruthAboutIB.com

• Jay Matthews calls Lisa, "the liveliest and most
  intelligent IB critic in the country." Recently
  told our school board, "The situation in Incline
  Village is the ugliest, most egregious and
  controversial attempt to force IB into a public
  school system that I have witnessed to date."

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Websites Email

• www.IBO.org (one sided pro IB)
• www.TruthAboutIB.com (one sided con IB)
• www.MyInclineVillage.com (Incline specific
  Several links to research IB Blog)
• Add you to my community email list
• john_at_Jtahoe.com

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What can we do now?

• Legal assistance
• Email
• school board, superintendents office
• Bonanza, RGJ
• Reno TV stations
• School Board Meetings 2nd 4th Tuesdays in
  Reno
• Bonanza Meetings Every Tuesday 900 AM
• PTA Meeting - Jr. Boosters Meetings -
  Boosters Meetings
• Community Forum
• Consider other programs - Core Knowledge,
  SpringBoard, APID etc.
• Educate others and STOP DONATIONS
• Organize group AGAINST IB in Incline