Frequently Asked Questions About The Primary Years Programme
- How is the Primary Years Programme different from other elementary school programmes?
- We want to let our community know that we are working towards being an authorized PYP school. How can we word this correctly?
- Can students transfer easily from one Primary Years Programme school to another?
- Do Primary Years Programme students have to take IB examinations?
- How can my child enroll in the Primary Years Programme?
- Are all children in my school required to participate in the PYP?
- Can students with special needs participate in the Primary Years Programme?
- My school has a Head Start program. Does offering this program violate IB’s whole-school policy?
- What are the required number of completed units for Application B submission and for authorization?
- Is departmentalized instruction allowed in the PYP?
- How much time needs to be allocated for our school’s PYP coordinator?
- For which age does second language instruction need to begin at my school?
- At what point in the authorization process does my school need to begin additional language instruction?
- How much time is required for additional language instruction?
- When does my school need to have a completed language policy?
- Are the PYP planners only to be used for developing the Programme of Inquiry?
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What are the new fees for the PYP in North America and the Caribbean?
- Does my school need to pay the costs associated with the consultation visit?
- Does my school need to pay the costs associated with the authorization visit?
- Are there costs associated with the PYP evaluation visit?
- Do all teachers in my schools need to be trained to deliver the PYP?
- When do all teachers at my school need to be trained to deliver the PYP by?
- Does IB North America and the Caribbean provide PYP on-site professional development?
- Who may attend Level 2 and Level 3 regional workshops?
- What are the application deadlines for the PYP in the North America and the Caribbean region?
How is the Primary Years Programme different from other elementary school programmes?
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) provides an educational framework based upon what is currently known about how young children learn. It draws on the best practices in elementary school instruction.
The PYP requires all teachers in the school to plan units of instruction and lessons collaboratively around six important themes. The collaboration facilitates a carefully thought-out and sequential development of skills, knowledge and attitudes, while the organizing themes provide both students and teachers a rich and inviting learning environment in which they can explore. In brief, the six organizing themes are: Who we are; Where we are we in place and time; How we express ourselves; How the world works; How we organize ourselves; and How we share the planet.
In the PYP, students are taught to understand that learning is about asking questions and looking for answers, which in turn may generate new, and perhaps more complex questions in need of answers. As teachers work with students through this programme of guided inquiry, they also help students understand what their relationship and responsibility is towards what they are learning. In the PYP character-building shares a prominent place alongside learning.
We want to let our community know that we are working towards being an authorized PYP school. How can we word this correctly?
Becoming an authorized PYP school is exciting news and we encourage schools to let their communities know about it. The International Baccalaureate has specific publicity guidelines. Please click here to download the publicity guidelines document for IB candidate schools or contact the IB North America office at (212) 696-4464 for details.
Can students transfer easily from one Primary Years Programme school to another?
Keeping in mind that each school determines its own admission and placement standards, the essential elements of the PYP will be the same from school to school. However, since the IB does not prescribe the curriculum to be taught, that may vary from school to school. This should not create a problem, however, because students are studying an approach to learning.
Do Primary Years Programme students have to take IB examinations?
There are no IB examinations in the PYP. All student assessment is organized and conducted by the teachers in the school.
How can my child enroll in the Primary Years Programme?
Only those students enrolled in and attending IB-authorized schools are permitted to participate in the PYP. For more information, please contact your school’s IB Primary Years Programme Coordinator.
Are all children in my school required to participate in the PYP?
Yes. The Primary Years Programme is intended for all children ages 3-12 in the school, regardless of their learning needs.
Can students with special needs participate in the Primary Years Programme?
Yes. IB-authorized schools are expected to involve all of their students in the Primary Years Programme, regardless of their learning needs. The IB refers to this as a “whole-school approach.” The IB expects that schools will make any necessary accommodation for students with special needs.
My school has a Head Start program. Does offering this program violate IB’s whole-school policy?
Many authorized PYP schools offer Head Start or other state/federally-funded programs. There are a few policy issues that you will need to discuss with us before submitting Application A or attending workshops. Please call the IB North America office at (212) 696-4464 for further assistance.
What are the required number of completed units for Application B submission and for authorization?
Beginning autumn 2008, all schools must have completed six units of inquiry for each grade level (four for pre-K) by the time of the authorization visit. These units are to be written, taught, reflected upon and include teacher and student questions. Schools not having six completed units at the point of the authorization visit must submit them within a designated timeframe that will be indicated on the letter from the IB North America and the Caribbean regional director after the visit occurs. Schools should continue to submit three completed units of inquiry (two for pre-k) for each grade level along with a completed Programme of Inquiry when Application B is submitted.
Is departmentalized instruction allowed in the PYP?
Please note that departmentalized instruction in any form is not in alignment with the philosophy of the PYP and that the existence of this pedagogical practice will jeopardize schools authorization status with the IB. Some forms of departmentalized instruction include:
- Ability grouping across an entire grade level where students receive instruction in mathematics, language(s) of instruction, science and social studies from someone other than their classroom teacher, the teacher with whom they spend the most time.
- Team teaching that results in students receiving instruction in mathematics, language(s) of instruction, science, and social studies from someone who is not their classroom teacher.
- Any scheduling configuration or plan in which students receive instruction in mathematics, language(s) of instruction, science and social studies from someone other than their classroom teacher, the teacher with whom they spend the most time.
- Please note: Schools with talented and gifted programs should contact the regional office for clarification on this issue as it is currently being discussed with the head of the PYP and the other regional managers.
- Please note: It is perfectly acceptable for students to receive instruction in ESL with the goal of being integrated in the main classroom. A 'push-in' model of ESL support is, of course, preferred as research has shown this to be an extremely effective practice. Nonetheless, it is expected that there be in place a system for collaborative planning with the support teacher.
- Please note: The practice of supporting students with literacy/math needs is acceptable as the goal of this model is to bring students up to grade level so that they may eventually be integrated in the classroom. This practice would not be in violation of the policy as many of students who receive special education support are legally obligated to receive instruction from the learning disability resource teacher.
How much time needs to be allocated for our school’s PYP coordinator?
The amount of time allocated to fulfill the responsibilities of the PYP coordinator varies from school to school. Sufficient time, outside specific teaching responsibilities, should be allocated to allow the coordinator to meet the requirements outlined in his or her job description in a timely and effective manner. Also, the PYP coordinator must be a school-based person that is either a teacher or an administrator. Please refer to page 4 of the 2007-2008 PYP Coordinators Handbook. Originally, a minimum of 25% release time was recommended. However, this may not be enough time for some schools. Schools need to familiarize themselves with the role of the PYP coordinator as outlined in the PYP Coordinators Handbook and make a sound decision regarding release time for the PYP coordinator.
For which age does second language instruction need to begin at my school?
All authorized PYP schools are required to begin second language instruction to all students aged seven and older.
At what point in the authorization process does my school need to begin additional language instruction?
All schools are required to have additional language instruction taking place prior to Application A or beginning the semester after Application A is submitted.
How much time is required for additional language instruction?
Additional language instruction can vary greatly from school to school. Schools often ask what the minimum requirement is for duration and frequency of additional language classes. The PYP has additional language instruction requirements, but they do not specifically designate class length or frequency. School communities need to make decisions regarding language instruction so that it is in alignment with the schools language policy. Schools must also examine the IB Learner Profile and the IB definition of communicators when making this decision: They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
When does my school need to have a completed language policy?
Schools are required to submit a completed school language policy with Application B. This is detailed on page 6 of the January 2008 PYP Coordinators Notes. Please refer to the Online Curriculum Centre for more information of developing a school language policy. Schools without a language policy in place at the time of the authorization visit will receive a matter to be addressed on the regional director’s letter. However, this issue alone will not prevent a school from being authorized as schools can be authorized with matters to be addressed.
Are the PYP planners only to be used for developing the Programme of Inquiry?
At the point of the authorization visit, in addition to documentation for the units of inquiry, the school needs to provide evidence that the planners are also being used for planning across the subjects, in addition to the Programme of Inquiry. This means classroom teachers, when possible, should use the planner to plan their inquiry outside of the Programme of Inquiry. Non-classroom teachers (music, art, PE, technology, etc...) should also use the planner to aid in their instruction. This is outlined in Making the PYP happen on page 31:
"The version of the planner included in this edition of Making the PYP happen: A curriculum framework for international primary education has been developed for use by all teachers whose teaching is organized around the exploration of a central idea. This includes the classroom teachers who are usually with their students for most of the time, but also any single-subject teachers who usually spend less time with the students."
What are the new fees for the PYP in North America and the Caribbean?
Below is the updated fee structure for IB North America, effective 1 January 2008:
- Application A Fee: $8500 (USD)
- Candidacy Continuation Fee: $5000 (USD)
- Application B: $8500 (USD)
- Annual Fee: $7000 (USD)
- Evaluation Fee: $3500 (USD)
Does my school need to pay the costs associated with the consultation visit?
In the North America and the Caribbean region, the costs of the consultation visit are covered by the $8500 (USD) Application A fee.
Does my school need to pay the costs associated with the authorization visit?
In the North America and the Caribbean region, the costs of the authorization visit are covered by the $8500 (USD) Application B fee.
Are there costs associated with the PYP evaluation visit?
As of 5 April 2008, all PYP schools are required to pay an evaluation fee of $3500.00 (USD) at the point of evaluation.
Do all teachers in my schools need to be trained to deliver the PYP?
Beginning in 2009, all teachers at PYP schools need to receive IB recognized professional development in the form of a regional or on-site workshop. This is required prior to the authorization visit. Schools currently going through the authorization process will need to provide detailed evidence in its three-year action plan with Application B that demonstrates its commitment to continued professional development for all teachers. Schools currently authorized are required to have all teachers receive training by the next evaluation visit. Please read below for more detailed information:
The document entitled Primary Years Programme guide to school application, 2003, 2006 states, on page 2, "All teachers, including the PYP coordinator, must undertake IBO-approved training, and the primary school principal must receive introductory training."
At the time of writing the Programme standards and practices document this decision was encapsulated in Standard B1, Practice 11, "The school provides staff that are appropriately qualified and trained to teach the programme." This is listed under practices common to the three IB programmes, the understanding being that this practice is interpreted differently. within each programme in accordance with the decisions of the individual programme committees.
In order to restate this long-standing requirement more particularly the PYP coordinators handbook 2007-2008 states in D2.1, page 22, "Prior to the authorization visit... all teaching staff and other pedagogical leaders working with students in the PYP section of the school must have been trained by the IBO to deliver the programme...To ensure the continuity and development of the programme, a combination of in-school and regional workshops should be planned for."
Additionally, in Making the PYP happen: Pedagogical leadership in a PYP school, July 2007, on page 13 it states, "In fact, it is a requirement that all PYP teachers and administrators receive some training by the IBO... Any teacher new to the school, who has not received training provided by the IBO when in another school setting, must be given the opportunity to receive such training. Occasionally, at the point of evaluation of the implementation of the programme this requirement will have been overlooked. Therefore, the PYP coordinator needs to be diligent about ensuring that everyone delivering the PYP has been trained to do so."
When do all teachers at my school need to be trained to deliver the PYP by?
Schools submitting Application A in 2009 will be required to have all staff members receive IB recognized IB professional development by their authorization visit. Authorized schools and schools that have begun the authorization process prior to 2009 will need to have all staff members trained by the school’s next evaluation visit.
Does IB North America and the Caribbean provide PYP on-site professional development?
Currently IB North America and the Caribbean does provide on-site Level 1 professional development for candidate and authorized schools. Please contact the regional office for more information on this topic.
Who may attend Level 2 and Level 3 regional workshops?
Teachers and administrators may only participate in Level 2 and Level 3 workshops if they meet one of the following criteria:
- They have been working at a candidate school for at least one academic year after the school’s candidacy was granted
- They have been working at an authorized school for at least one academic year.
In some instances, exceptions may be made if the practitioner has had extensive PYP experience at a previous school.
What are the application deadlines for the PYP in the North America and the Caribbean region?
Application A:
1 May, 2009
Application B:
1 June, 2009
1 December, 2009 (for schools that submitted Application A 1 November 2008 or 1 November 2007)
