Cactus Shadows IB program postponed
International Baccalaureate diploma on hold
by Jason Stone

CCUSD – Cactus Shadows High School students will have to wait at least another year before participating in a new college credit program.

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) last week delayed approving the advanced diploma program for Cactus Shadows, meaning the school will have to wait until, at the earliest,  the 2007‑08 school year to implement the new program.

Cactus Shadows teachers and administrators have been training for the IB program for two years. The governing board of Cave Creek Unified School District gave approval to implement the program in March.

District spokeswoman Nedda Shafir said the organization postponed approving the school’s application so CSHS can finalize course offerings, complete teacher training, sequence the math programs and work on budget support from the district. Cactus Shadows has up to two years to address pending issues.

IB is an advanced diploma program that gives students college credit like Advanced Placement courses. But unlike AP, which is individual classes, IB is a complete diploma program that includes accelerated core classes, requires foreign languages and carries a community service component.

Reach the reporter at jason@thedesertadvocate.com.