Integrated Programme (IP)

[karu]

A question about IP schools with ‘dual track’ program. IP straight to A level, IB & O level.

There is this concern that they will concentrate most of their resources (best teachers, more attention etc) to those in IP. The students in O level route will be disadvantaged. Is this statement accurate?
Recent case where the RI students who did not do well in their O levels seem to indicate so. Of course there may be other factors.
Anyone with experience of kids in O level classes in these IP schools?

[ACTC]

My DS is in HCI Y1 and not doing well. I know HCI has O level track as well known as Structured IP. At the end of Y2, the promotion criteria to Y3 is a mean subject grade (MSG) of 4. The subjects are graded like the O-level exam with A1 being the best grade and F9 the lowest grade. A MSG of 4 means an average mark of between 60~64%.


In order to continue on the IP track, a MSG of 3 is required. So those with MSG of between 3 to 4 will go to the SIP track. At the end of Y3, unless they do well enough to be transferred back to IP, they will be promoted to Sec 4Q and take the O level exam. Note the subtle difference that they are now Sec4Q and not Y4 anymore. In fact, their Transit link pass will expire at the end of Sec 4 as well instead of Y6.

[karu]

ACTC:

My DS is in HCI Y1 and not doing well. I know HCI has O level track as well known as Structured IP. At the end of Y2, the promotion criteria to Y3 is a mean subject grade (MSG) of 4. The subjects are graded like the O-level exam with A1 being the best grade and F9 the lowest grade. A MSG of 4 means an average mark of between 60~64%.


In order to continue on the IP track, a MSG of 3 is required. So those with MSG of between 3 to 4 will go to the SIP track. At the end of Y3, unless they do well enough to be transferred back to IP, they will be promoted to Sec 4Q and take the O level exam. Note the subtle difference that they are now Sec4Q and not Y4 anymore. In fact, their Transit link pass will expire at the end of Sec 4 as well instead of Y6.

So those in the O level track are not there 'voluntarily'? Only 1 class?
The concern here is that student in this track will be demoralized & also if the school is putting more resources to help these students. Or to put it crudely, left to their own devices & concentrate on the good classes in IP program.
Noticed that for HCI & RI, they only have COP for IP program. So O level is just a 'dumping ground'?
Whereas for ACS (I), they have COPs for IP & O level. Not sure how many classes of O level in ACS(I)?

[ACTC]

My DD is in RGS and there is no O level track. Students whose GPA is 2.8 (60-64%) and below will be counselled by the school. You can take it as whatever it mean.


Back to HCI, the Structured IP (SIP) track is base on Y2 result. MSG of 4 to get promotion to Y3 and only make it to SIP. Presumably MSG >4 will mean repeat of Y2. I believe MS school just require >50% to get promoted to Sec 3.

I am at a crossroad as my DS is not doing well in Y1 HCI. Y1 promotion to Y2 is quite easy with a MSG of 6. However, from Y1 to Y2, the criterion is higher. Actually, I am very disappointed that he can’t manage even on average a B4 which at our time seems quite easy target.

[karu]

Looks like the problem with these IP schools is that there’s a stigma associated with O Level students.

It’s still quite difficult to tell whether IP or O level program suits my kid. So seem like those offered in ACS(I) & SJI are more flexible. Meaning that students can have the option of switching tracks in Yr3 & Yr5. Not sure how it works though.

[ACTC]

My DD and DS are in RGS Y2 and HCI Y1 this year. DD is doing fine in RGS and so I have not really looked into the promotion criteria for RGS until now whereas I have concern where my DS is heading if he continues with his current attitude.


Each IP school has its own promotion criteria. For RGS, subject grading is by Grades Point system. Each subject is awarded grade point base on the overall assessment percentage.
https://s3.postimg.org/sjynjxf4z/GPA.png\">
The promotion criteria is min GPA of 2.0, and English Language GP of 2.0.

HCI subject grading follows the O level system of A1 to F9. In comparison, HCI has a more stringent promotion criteria for Y2 to Y3. One has to attain mean average grade (MSG) of 4.0 for promotion to Y3 structured IP programme (preparation for O level exam) and 3.0 for normal IP (direct to HCJC). It would thus appear that HCI is more stringent than RGS in terms of progression to JC.

[mommyNg]

I also heard that NYGH has similar promotion criteria as HCI. For NYGH, a minimum of MSG of 4.0 for normal IP (direct to HCI in year 5 & 6), otherwise will go to O level class (not sure what is the min. MSG for promotion to Y3 O level class), and a minimum of MSG of 3.0 to be eligible to take triple sciences in Y3.


Are there min. criteria when choosing combi in Y3 for HCI and RGS?

That said, it is difficult to compare between schools sometimes as it depends on how hard/stringent the exam papers are set and marked, and what the cohort averages are…?

[ACTC]

I just exercised the Y3 subject combination option with my DD. According to her, the option does not depend on her results. I have compared both HCI and RGS EOY math papers and they are comparable in terms of difficulty. Typically, enough questions to test on the basic and some tough one to distinguish the better ones.

[lexis]

For HCI, if you are going to IP (ie met the MSG requirement), the default combination is 2 sciences (Physics and Chem), Integrated Math, HCL, ELL, Integrated Humanities Core(Social studies) and one Humanities elective (hist, geog, or lit).


If your MSG is higher (<2, i think), you can opt to go to Special Programmes (which have their own criteria - eg. SMTP needs a 1 in Math/Sci, not more than 2 in Languages etc). If you want to do triple sci, you need to have a good grade in science too (<2.5 iirc).

note: this was in 2015, when my son was in HCI sec 2. Criteria may differ from year to year.

[Nebbermind]

ACTC:

HCI subject grading follows the O level system of A1 to F9. In comparison, HCI has a more stringent promotion criteria for Y2 to Y3. One has to attain mean average grade (MSG) of 4.0 for promotion to Y3 structured IP programme (preparation for O level exam) and 3.0 for normal IP (direct to HCJC). It would thus appear that HCI is more stringent than RGS in terms of progression to JC.

I'm trying to understand the grading system.
Does a MSG 4.0 means an average of B4 for all subjects?
Does it mean that anything below that, ie, average C5 will be retained? Or are they advised to transfer out since these kids would have been promoted if they are in normal O track?