Bahrain: What are the benefits of an American curriculum?

Bahrain: What are the benefits of an American curriculum?

“Every curriculum and approach, whether it’s British, American, or Canadian, have their strengths.” – Dave McMaster

Gulf Insider speaks with Dave McMaster, Founding Director of the American School of Bahrain, about the American curriculum, the advantages of studying in a US accredited school, the IB Diploma, and how the students are being prepared for university and careers beyond.

ASB offers a standards-based American curriculum. Can you tell us briefly what this is?

An American-based standard curriculum is a research-based educational approach for a curriculum that looks at each area of academic studies. We use the common core standards for English and Math, the new generation’s Science standards, as well as standards for Physical Education, Health and Wellness, and Fine and Performing Arts.

As the students go through school, the teachers will look at if they’re meeting these standards. We use data driven assessments like the Measure of Academic Progress test, which measures their literacy and numeracy levels. If there’s a gap – which there’s been a lot lately, due to COVID – they can go back and assess how the student is doing against these standards.

Is ASB accredited by any US accrediting authority? What does it mean for the students?

ASB is in the process