BY EARLENE WARD - FOR THE SIERRA STAR
Two Yosemite
High School 2004 graduates have earned their full diploma through
the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). Kyle Mosher
and Tim Williams met the qualifications to receive the internationally-recognized
diploma.
The IBO is a non-profit educational organization that was established
in 1968; YHS was accepted as a full IB school in 1992 after extensive
research by YHS and after evaluation and acceptance by the IBO committee.
IBO headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.
YHS students tested in a number of subjects last spring and scores
have recently been received at the school.
To earn a diploma, students must test in their first language, a
second language, social science, experimental sciences, mathematics,
arts or an elective.
They must receive at least 24 points, out of a possible 42, on six
tests and satisfactorily complete three additional requirements:
An extended essay of 4,000 words; a course entitled “Theory of Knowledge”
and participation in a program called CAS (creativity, action, service).
The CAS requirement encourages students to share their energy and
special talents with others, according to IBO. They may participate
in theatre or musical productions; and sports and community service
activities.
YHS Principal Steve Raupp is especially proud of the scores in English,
French and biology in which 100 percent of the students testing,
passed. Fifty students tested in English, two in biology and one
in French.
A total of 114 students took 219 tests in 16 subjects.
Subjects in which students tested were: English, French, Spanish,
history, psychology, biology, chemistry, math studies, theatre arts,
and film.
YHS IB Coordinator Larry Pesetski said the chemistry scores were
the best ever this year and, he says, that is one of the toughest
exams. He was pleased with the 94 percent pass rate in math studies,
noting that students consistently have a high pass rate in that
class.
He was delighted with the IB Film class.
This is the first year for the program at YHS which was one of only
seven schools in the world testing in film. Pesetski said YHS was
part of a pilot program for IB Film because of the outstanding Regional
Occupational Pro-gram (ROP) videography class the school has had
for several years.
He notes that students who enroll in IB Film get a triple benefit:
They have an IB class, it meets a vocational education requirement
and it counts toward the University of California admission requirements.
“It’s pretty impressive that we are able to offer a program such
as this,” Pesetski said. “Bob Collins, who taught IB Film, is to
be congratulated on his success. It is not easy to develop a new
program.”
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