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• 1. What is International Arab Baccalaureate (IAB)?

  IAB is a pan-Arab comprehensive educational initiative designed in the Arab World, for the Arab World, by Arab and international experts, to enhance students’ overall academic performance and equip them to succeed in the future by integrating the 21st century skills into the academic program. It was launched in 2010 after many years of planning and preparation. Its first phase included workshops to introduce the theoretical part and to train teachers to design high order thinking skills items. In 2014, the in-class implementation started (Phase 2). This phase included workshops to train the teachers on IAB deliverables prepared by the IAB team of experts. It currently covers grades 10 to 12 (and eventually K-12). After graduation in Grade 12, the students receive the IAB diploma. In 2017, the IAB Diploma received the equivalence to the British GCE A Level by UK ENIC, the National Agency for the Recognition and Comparison of International Qualifications and Skills.
• 2. Who is behind IAB?

  The IAB is developed by Educational Research Center (ERC), a Sayegh Educational Company based in Lebanon, in cooperation with concerned Arab and international educators and sister Sayegh companies located in various parts of the Arab World. ERC provides all the necessary resources for implementing IAB in accredited schools, along with providing continuous research-based development to this unique initiative.
• 3. Why IAB?

  IAB enriches the curriculum with the integration of new resources based on experimentation and open-mindedness, as well as individual and team creativity, all of which fall under the 21st century skills umbrella.IAB promotes meaningful learning rather than rote learning of course materials and benefits from the latest developments in education and technology, whilst respecting the local cultural heritage and aspirations in the Arab World to empower students for excellence in modern life, meet the highest educational standards, and fulfill the most rigorous university admission requirements anywhere in the world.
• 4. What are the distinguishing features of IAB?

  The IAB is a high-standard and unique educational program created by the ERC for the Arab World. The implementation of the IAB in the national schools is based on the Profile Shaping Education (PSE), a research-based pedagogical framework developed under the support and guidance of ERC. It works within of enriching the curriculum. The IAB provides teachers continuous capacity building program through periodic workshops and one-to-one meetings with IAB experts.
• 5. What is Profile Shaping Education (PSE)?

  PSE is a framework that empowers students of all levels, especially secondary school and college graduates, with a profile needed for success and excellence in modern life. The profile embodies major traits of accomplished people in the workplace and daily life, while respecting the local vision for education, and local culture and heritage. It empowers students to become paradigmatic, productive, proactive and principled, hence the name “4-P profile”.
• 6. How does IAB empower students with the 4-P profile?

  The 4-P profile is demonstrated in the IAB deliverables where the 21st century skills and high-order thinking skills are integrated in the six core subjects: physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, Arabic, and a foreign language which may be English or French. IAB learning outcomes focus on common cross-disciplinary patterns in knowledge structure and habits of mind and practice that are critical for meaningful learning of course materials, as well as for lifelong learning and success in modern life.
• 7. How does IAB provide for capacity building of teachers?

  The IAB continuously develops the abilities of the participating teachers, through systematic workshops, local and regional activities.
  
  IAB’s workshops tackle different subjects and addresses different levels:
  - Organizing periods based on the duration of the period and intended learning outcomes
  - Integrating the 21st century skills in the periods
  - Drawing mind maps and their use as an organizational, educational and evaluative mean
  - Writing items that facilitate higher order thinking skills
  - Highlighting the integration of items, especially scientific subjects
  
  The IAB pays special attention to the quality assurance and trailing teachers’ progression. To this end, central support offices exist and offer continuous communication and exchange of experiences. In addition, periodic visits to the participating schools are conducted by administrative officers and educational advisers from ERC to provide the required support. These visits comprise individual meetings with teachers to resolve any issue related to the implementation phase of the IAB. The IAB offers teachers teaching resources that help them apply the points mentioned above, in addition to observing them during class to promote their strengths and address their challenges.
• 8. How are IAB learning outcomes ascertained?

  IAB relies on authentic assessment to ascertain the extent to which individual students acquire the desired learning outcomes and skills. At the beginning of the scholastic year the students sit for a skills-based test to set a baseline of the students’ skills and capacities; and at the end of the scholastic year the students sit for a similar test to compare the results and study their improvement.
  
  The IAB diploma is granted on the basis of three types of assessments:
  - Continuous Assessment. (Grade 10 and 11)
  - Cross-disciplinary Project. (Grade 12)
  - Comprehensive Exam. (Grade 12)
  
  Design and delivery of IAB assessments benefit from latest advances in measurement research and technology, and from various ERC resources.
• 9. How can a student enroll in IAB?

  IAB is a school-based program. Students cannot enroll individually in IAB. Once a school is granted accreditation, all of its students become automatically enrolled in IAB.
• 10. Can any school qualify for IAB?

  ERC has set reasonable requirements for school accreditation. Any school that operates in a way to help students develop the 4-P profile promoted by IAB may get accredited. ERC may also assist an interested school that does not meet accreditation criteria.
• 11. How is IAB quality guaranteed?

  IAB is strict on quality assurance. All school-based aspects that are related to IAB are continuously monitored to ensure that all matters are properly implemented. IAB is keen on working with all accredited schools in the spirit of partnership and common ownership of this unique initiative. Quality is also guaranteed through continuous research and consultation with international consultants and concerned organizations.
• 12. Does IAB require students to do additional homework?

  IAB does not overload students with assignments. However, and in order to meet its objectives and help students understand course content meaningfully, IAB relies on a diversity of assignments, including group projects, that meet high quality standards.
• 13. Does the IAB diploma have an international equivalence?

  The IAB Diploma received equivalence to the British GCE A level by UK ENIC, the National Agency for the Recognition and Comparison of International Qualifications and Skills. UK ENIC performs this official function on behalf of the UK government. Students attaining the IAB Diploma can receive the equivalent A level qualification. The students will follow the national curriculum, using national programs, but will receive the international Arab Baccalaureate Diploma with equivalence to the British GCE A Level.
• 14. What is the relationship between the IAB and the IB?

  There is no relationship between the IAB and the IB. The IAB is created by the Educational Research Center in Lebanon.