Director's Notebook: curriculum coherence

Do you run more than one IB programme?

In the school community I work in we are preparing for our first PYP evaluation, as well our consultation (and then verification) visit for the DP. As we develop into a three programme IB continuum school we are having to focus keenly on the transitions between programmes and curriculum coherence.

Why curriculum coherence matters

One of the key indicators of a successful IB World School is the extent to which learning is experienced as a coherent journey rather than as separate programmes. During multi-programme evaluations, one area that is often identified as needing further development is the transition between programmes, particularly from the PYP to the MYP and from the MYP to the DP.

When reviewing curriculum coherence, schools should consider:

• How knowledge, concepts, ATL skills and Learner Profile attributes progress across programmes. Have we mapped progression intentionally? Using backward design, how do we ensure students build towards increasingly sophisticated knowledge, skills and attributes?  For example, if communication skills are a focus in the PYP, how do we define what increasingly sophisticated communication looks like in the MYP and DP, rather than simply repeating the same expectations each year?
• Whether teaching, assessment and pedagogy are aligned from one programme to the next. How might teachers work together to identify common pedagogical approaches while still respecting the distinctive features of each IB programme? For example, how do approaches to inquiry develop from students asking questions and exploring ideas in the PYP, to independently designing investigations and evaluating evidence in the DP?
• How effectively teachers collaborate across programme boundaries to ensure smooth transitions. Do teachers regularly discuss learning expectations, student readiness and curriculum connections? For example, could PYP and MYP teachers co-review student work, discuss assessment expectations, and identify opportunities to build continuity in approaches to learning?

I have used ChatGPT to create this visual of my thinking.