Norup Parts Ways with IB
Norup Parts Ways with IB
On Friday, June 16, Superintendent Scott Francis sent a message to the Norup community sharing that Norup will no longer be an IB (International Baccalaureate) school beginning with the 2023-24 school year. To keep the entire District informed, the letter is included below for all to read.
I’m writing to you today with some news about Norup and its relationship with IB, the International Baccalaureate program. Mr. Yowchuang has had three meetings available to the Norup community this past spring on this topic, and this email will summarize much of the topics shared at those meetings. Thank you to those who attended the meetings and shared your thoughts with Mr. Yowchuang and myself.
Norup joined IB in the 2007-08 school year. At that time, Norup was declining in enrollment, with many families choosing to attend middle school elsewhere. Norup also had recently merged with Avery Elementary school to create the K-8 building. The administration at the time decided adding IB to Norup would help attract families to stay in the Berkley School District.
Joining IB in 2007 added the following to Norup: the 5th grade exhibition (final collaborative research project for all 5th graders), helped the building organize and arrange State of Michigan curriculum standards, added a world language to the elementary school and brought the elementary and middle school teachers together, as they had recently merged. It also added extra costs to send teachers to training out of state and required the District to hire an IB coordinator.
Between 2007 and now, Norup went through the IB transition, a transition of administration, a period of lower performance scores and lower rankings than other schools in the State of Michigan “top to bottom” rankings. Test scores do not define our schools, however, I’m pleased to share that now Norup has greatly improved student outcomes since 2014. What made this change happen? To quote Mr. Yowchuang, “Good hardworking people, not programming or IB, made this happen.”
IB has been a part of Norup for a long time, but it has not been the change agent for Norup student outcomes – our staff has. In fact, IB has pulled Norup staff away from District-wide training for curriculum, data analysis, inquiry based learning and more. IB has also not been the driving force behind Norup’s dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion work and social emotional learning.
Through deep conversations (that began pre-pandemic) with District administration, Norup administration, Norup educators and the Board of Education, the decision has been made to discontinue the relationship with the IB organization moving forward.
I understand this decision may create a variety of emotions. I want to reiterate what Mr. Yowchuang shared in his meetings – the positive attributes that make Norup special will not change due to this decision. Norup is not Norup because of IB.
- Norup has never taught the IB curriculum - it teaches the State of Michigan curriculum, just like the rest of the District
- Norup will continue to have 5th and 8th graders complete their exhibition projects
- Norup will continue to offer elementary Spanish
- Norup will continue their commitment to increasing student achievement
- Norup will continue to explore additional opportunities for students
- Norup will continue to employ counselors and social workers to support students
What removing the IB requirements for Norup staff will do, however, is increase staff time for data analysis to improve instruction, allow professional development and collaboration with staff across the District, allow more time for extracurricular opportunities for students and allow a deeper focus on social emotional learning, which is still very much needed post-pandemic.
Norup is a building family full of dedicated educators who care deeply about their students. This will not change. Our District Portrait of a Learner (critical thinker, creative, collaborative, communicator, curious, courageous) will continue to shape professional learning to impact student outcomes. Norup is a part of the Berkley School District with the following mission: student engagement, learning and growth are at the center of all we do. The supports provided for Norup and its students will be centered around this mission, ensuring all students have what they need to succeed.
As far as next steps, Norup will proceed with planning for next school year, continuing with all the things you love about Norup. Mr. Yowchuang will also host optional meetings next year for families to share their thoughts on how to continuously make Norup an even better place.
Thank you for your passion and dedication to Norup. You are in good hands with Mr. Yowchuang, Ms. Eickemeyer, and the wonderful staff at Norup.
