The diploma program is for sixteen to eighteen year olds. It is two years of study to prepare for college or university. They study languages, a social science, an experimental science, mathematics and the arts.
They must pass six examinations to complete the program. Students who pass receive a special International Baccalaureate certificate. It is accepted by universities around the world. I.B. students also satisfy the requirements of their local and national educational systems. The International Baccalaureate Organization says about thirty universities offer financial aid to graduates of its programs.
More than one thousand five hundred schools offer I.B. programs. The number continues to grow. Last month, a school in Croatia began to offer the middle years program. And a school in the Philippines started to teach the diploma program.
Other nations that offer I.B. programs include Bangladesh, Britain, China, India, Indonesia, Mozambique, Vietnam and Spain. In the United States, there are more than four hundred I.B. diploma programs. Also, there are forty-nine middle school programs and thirty primary school programs.
More details about I.B. programs can be found on the Internet at http://www.ibo.org/. And our weekly reports can be found at WWW.51VOA.COM.
This VOA Special English Education Report was written by Nancy Steinbach. I'm Shep O'Neal.