In December 2015, the International Baccalaureate released a new study investigating the impacts of participation in the Middle Years Program (MYP) on high school enrollment and achievement. The study used data collected in a large, socio-economically diverse school district in the United States.
The samples of MYP and non-MYP students were matched on student demographic variables (such as gender, race/ethnicity, family income and English proficiency), using propensity score matching to control for selection bias into the program.
NOTE: Notre Dame’s middle division was authorized to offer the IB-MYP in 2009. The upper division was certified as an authorized IB World School in 2007 and its lower division picked up IB-PYP authorization in 2010.
Some of the key findings from the study conducted by researchers Julie H. Wade and Natalie L. Wolanin include:
– Students previously enrolled in the MYP were 34% more likely to take at least one Advance Placement (AP) or IB Diploma Programme (DP) exam in high school
– Moreover, MYP enrollment significantly increased the likelihood of achieving at least one “college-ready” score (3 or higher for AP, 4 or higher for IB) on a college preparatory exam (by 39%)
– Former MYP and non-MYP students took on average a similar number of DP courses
– For students who took at least one DP exam, former MYP students earned more scores of 4 or higher, compared with their non-MYP counterparts
Read the study summary or the full report.
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." The Marist Fathers and Brothers sponsor NDPMA's Catholic identity and manages its educational program. Notre Dame is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.