Most parents are overwhelmed by the prospect of tackling IB in their schools. TAIB has found that the #1 fear of parents is that there will be backlash against their children if they voice their objections. We're going to be perfectly honest with you, that possibility does exist. But if you remain silent, nothing will change. You are your child's best advocate
Let’s begin with districts which have not yet started the IB application process, a preemptive strike is the best approach:
1. Keep your ears open for chatter that emphasizes an international approach to education or emphasis on foreign language immersion
2. Listen for mention of any proposed “magnet” or “pilot” programs
3. Make sure your PTA leadership is aware that there are parents who object to bringing IB into your district and educate them with facts to support your objections
4. If your district is considering redistricting and is hosting any sort of “feasibility study”, be sure to attend the public meeting and bring as many people with you as you can.
5. Familiarize yourself with the cost of IB in advance of any public discussion - be ready to produce documentation for back up
6. Request minutes from meetings of any committee that may have met to discuss IB - request inclusion on committee
7. Put your Board of Education Trustees and Principals on notice in writing that you are opposed to IB and hope if they want your continued support, that they won’t go down that road
8. Use your local papers to write letters to the editor if talk gets serious - school districts hate negative press
9. Talk to the teachers - ask them what they think of IB and let those that oppose it know that you have their backs - most will want to remain anonymous and that’s ok, but some of the bolder ones with tenure may come forward
10. Spread the word - the more taxpayers who understand the potential impact of an IB program, the better. Direct parents and taxpayers to Truth About IB via fliers and e-mails.
For districts that have already begun the IB application process but are not yet authorized:
1. Know that a district is free to STOP the IB application process at any point - there is no contract
2. Demand open and honest reporting of all monies spent on the IB process to date and under what section of the budget those monies were approved
3. Utilize school e-mail lists to alert parents to any upcoming Board meetings when IB may be on the agenda - look for code phrases that specifically omit the word IB, such as “high school course scheduling” or “curriculum review”
4. Obtain your school’s mean SAT scores and number of AP and National Merit Scholars from pre-IB years (5-10 years worth if possible) - once a school becomes IB, any sort of data becomes very difficult to get your hands on. Keep this data for comparison.
5. Remain calm - don’t allow emotions to get the better of you - IB supporters will attack you personally, call you names and try to get you to react. Don’t play their game.
6. Let the Board know in no uncertain terms that if they insist on pursuing IB, you will vote NO on their budget next time around.
7. Write your Republican Congressperson, speak at the Chamber of Commerce and senior citizen centers. There is power in numbers. A Board’s #1 priority is getting its budget passed, if it fears a program is too controversial, it will drop it in favor of winning support for the budget.
8. Keep an eye out for ad hoc groups seeking to fundraise to donate money for IB. Identify their political allegiances and make them known.
9. Write letters to your local paper
10. Get parents out to meetings and encourage them to sign up for public comment.
For districts which have already purchased IB, hope isn’t completely lost:
1. Elect new Board Trustees who didn’t drink the Kool Aid
2. Keep track of the money spent on IB and the number of IB Diploma recipients
3. Double check any stats put out by the district to promote IB - the tendency to double count and exaggerate by using percentages instead of actual numbers is prevalent with IB
4. Inform taxpayers who don’t have school-age children how their money is being wasted on IB
5. Write letters to your local paper
6. Question with boldness, hold to the truth, speak without fear.
As Americans, we are blessed with the right to own property and in most cases, the right to have a voice when it comes to public education. The Progressives who support IB count on the trust and apathy of busy parents to rubber stamp their agenda without question. With billions of dollars at stake, we can no longer afford to sit by silently.