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3.5.2 The IB’s Middle Years Program – A good fit for gifted learners in Qatar?

The International Baccalaureate’s (IB’s) Middle Years Program (MYP) was investigated to determine how well it is suited to gifted science students in the State of Qatar. Qatar’s formalised educational system is less than 100 years old whereas its culture is steeped in ancient traditions and values. To be successful, a modern curricular framework must complement rather than oppose such values. A study was undertaken to explore giftedness in this context, and whether the MYP could support these students’ academic growth. Although the framework was found to be compatible, limiting factors at the study sites impacted levels of student satisfaction.

Author(s):

Jeffrey MacRaild
jmacraild@gmail.com
American School of Doha
Qatar

Jeff is an experienced Primary Homeroom and Secondary Science teacher. He was formerly the Differentiation Coordinator for a Secondary school in Qatar, whilst completing his Masters degree in Gifted and Talented Education. This provided an excellent research context to explore whether that school’s curricular program was suited to the cultural context of Qatar and academic needs of its students. This then became the focus of his Master’s Degree dissertation. He currently enjoys teaching lower primary children in a different international school in Qatar, and is the delegate for the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children in that state.