A study into the performance and engagement of MYP students
The IB is pleased to announce the latest study on the Middle Years Programme (MYP).
This research focused on five middle schools in a socio-economically diverse district of rural, urban and suburban communities. Each of the schools studied implemented the MYP between 2003 and 2008 and they collectively have over 4,000 MYP students. This research examined the academic performance and engagement of these students in comparison to their peers from five other demographically similar non-MYP schools in the same district. Additionally, this study examined student and parent ratings of school climate, the relationship between engagement and performance and the reported experiences of school principals. The differences in students’ background characteristics were controlled by the selection of demographically similar comparison schools using statistical procedures.
Key findings include:
• A higher percentage of MYP students achieved a proficient or advanced performance level on mathematics and science assessments.
• Grade 6 MYP students had higher attendances rates, while grade 8 MYP students had fewer suspensions during the year.
• More MYP students in grade 6 and grade 8 agreed with the statement “overall, I feel good about being in this school.”
• Higher percentages of MYP students gave their school a grade of A or B.
• All five principals in MYP schools noted interdisciplinary learning as a positive influence in their school, and four of the five identified teacher professional development, and the support of the MYP coordinator as important benefits of the programme.
To view the full report, as well as other studies on the MYP, please visit our research pages.
For further information on this study, or other research projects, please contact research@ibo.org.
