Written by Tom Brodie, ManageBac+ Curriculum Coordinator
The MYP is set for its largest overhaul since its inception. So what do we know and how can you prepare? Finally, what are we at ManageBac+ doing to help you?
I work very closely with the IB to ensure that ManageBac+ is always fully up to date on their requirements so that it remains the market-leading tool to help teachers plan, assess and report on IB programmes.
These are some of the things that have already been published in the public sphere to help you prepare for the Enhanced MYP.
So there is still some way to go until we know all of the details and can fully prepare.
Guiding Principles and Aims
The following principles of the enhancement have been stated:
Transition Guide, p.4
There is now an overarching purpose (which I love). I believe this is something that schools can point to and build on across their curriculum design and implementation. It is seven short words:
Isn’t that a beautiful aim that we can all work towards?
MYP aims have been further articulated in the following categories:
These areas are meant as the foundation that schools can work from to shape their own MYP identity depending on their context.
Each subject will have its own aims, but these will be based on the same format as the general aims above.
MYP Integrated Core
Details on the integrated core are beginning to emerge. The new integrated core includes:
Service as Action has already begun a transition in vocabulary to Community Engagement (see this article on that!).
There is likely to be more expectation and opportunity for integrated core experiences to be linked directly to classroom learning, allowing students to explore real-world areas of interest that connect to their subject learning.
Included within this is an expectation to:
Unit Planning
This is really where the reduced complexity that is mentioned above starts to become apparent.
The IB will provide some example unit planning documents. However, schools will also be able to adapt these or use their own.
Some key changes in brief
The six MYP Themes
Interdisciplinary learning
Interdisciplinary learning is still at the forefront of IB thinking. However, the requirement to plan and implement Interdisciplinary Units (IDUs) will be dropped.
The new IDU Learning elements have been distilled into five points:
Flexibility is again key to the guidance. If schools wish to continue to teach IDUs that they have previously designed, they are more than welcome to.
ATL (Approaches to Learning)
This is another area that will be simplified and further supported in the Enhanced MYP.
The Five ATL Skill Categories
The “what” and “why” of ATLs through Aims of Approaches to Learning is part of the enhancement. Further guidance on developing ATL experiences, including reflection and self-reflection tools, will be provided.
Assessment Criteria
Again, reduced complexity is the key theme here. However, there will certainly be some choices to be made.
New subject-generic MYP criteria
Simplified subject-specific MYP criteria
| Subject group | Criterion | Criterion | Criterion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language acquisition | Knowing and understanding | Using language in written form | Using language in spoken form |
| Language and literature | Understanding | Applying | Communicating |
| Individuals and societies | Planning and evaluating | Analysing | Applying |
| Sciences | Knowing and understanding | Investigating | Exploring beyond the classroom |
| Mathematics | Knowing and understanding | Investigating | Exploring beyond the classroom |
| Arts | Investigating | Applying | Evaluating |
| Physical and health education | Investigating | Applying | Evaluating |
| Design | Investigating | Applying | Evaluating |
Subject-specific criteria may be used at any point in the MYP. They must be used in MYP 4 and MYP 5. Generic MYP criteria may be used in MYP 1, MYP 2 or MYP 3.
What ManageBac+ is planning
Because we work so closely with the IB on updates such as this, you can rest assured that ManageBac+ will be updated and ready for the Enhanced MYP when you need it.
Our plan is to launch the updated MYP Unit Plan & Assessment Criteria in February 2028, as soon as they are published. This will allow teachers six months to review and update their current unit plans and MYP assessments before they need them.
ManageBac+ will let you quickly and easily update your unit plans and assessments. Our intention is to make this a transition process, where each unit plan and assessment can be reviewed and updated with no loss of data in a matter of minutes.
Individual teachers can choose to update their planning and assessment over the preparation period or leave it until just before they teach a unit. All of their previous planning, recording and reflections will be visible and available for them to keep developing their teaching and improving their students’ learning.
What can you be doing now?
Keep up to date as more details emerge on the myIB Programme Resource Centre.
Plan to attend courses on the Enhanced MYP from February 2028 onwards; these are likely to be announced in 2027.
Discuss the changes with your colleagues, but reassure them that this change is going to make many areas of the MYP easier and simpler.
Sources
- Enhancing the MYP webpage and resources
- IB Global Conference: The Enhanced MYP presentation
