I teach the studio AP when there is sufficient interest to form a
class (must be 15 enrolled). I have also been an IB evaluator. I
currently work with students in a portfolio development class I
started at a local art centre where the students are all IB or AP. So
I have some familiarity with both systems. There are some things I
like about each, and some things I don't like about each. The
emphasis on production in the AP puts major pressure on students to
produce work in time for the exam. Works for some, not others. They
do have to work outside of class or they won't finish on time. They
do have to work very hard to get good marks for this one. Not all
students finish the portfolio, but this situation is under review. I
have only ever had one student get a 5, some 4s and a good number of
3s. Most are twos, some ones. The score translates into university/
college credit at some, but not all institutions. I like the IB for
its workbooks--students keep sketchbooks throughout the process
documenting, drawing, exploring visual and conceptual material. These
books are marked by both teacher and evaluator. What I like the best
about the IB is the required exhibition of work and the conversations
between the evaluator and the students. There is so much more to the
work than simply it's physical nature--the thought process of the
student, their enthusiasm, interests and so on, are compelling.
Peggy
On 10-Jan-08, at 9:06 AM, Rebecca Burch wrote:
> I kind of have the same problem with not having enough work inside the
> portfolios. Most of my peers teach in schools where students can take
> a whole lot of art classes in a year. In my school, kids have
> difficulty scheduling art in 10th grade due to language and theology
> requirements, and then can only take one art class per year in 11th
> and 12th grades (and 9th, too, if they're really lucky.) A really
> dedicated student who wants to major in art can get a second art class
> in 12th grade if they get permission, but the thing is, it's really
> difficult to get enough works for a passing AP portfolio in just one
> class. Most of my students take outside art courses to supplement
> their in-class work. And the ones who work are just out of luck!
>
> No clue about IB. What's the difference?
>
> Becky
>
> On Jan 10, 2008 6:55 AM, Gabrielle Bliss <> wrote:
>> I am teaching my first AP Studio Art class this year. My school is
>> very
>> urban and low income. Luckily,Only people who want to send in
>> portfolios. THe class is a lot of work but great fun to teach.
>> However,
>> I don't see how anyone will ever pass the portfolio in 1 year as
>> most of
>> the students that are together enough to take AP at my school work
>> 30 to
>> 40 hours a week outside of school. They do good work while they
>> are in
>> class but I cannot get them to do anything outside of class.
>> Minneapolis
>> is now jumping on the IB bandwagon and one of my student teachers
>> told
>> me that the IB portfolio is not as much work outside of class. Is
>> anyone
>> familiar with both?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Gabrielle in Minneapolis
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> F
