SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 470 Offered January 31, 2007 Commending the George Mason High School International Baccalaureate program on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. ---------- Patrons-- Whipple; Delegates: Hull and Scott, J.M. ----------

WHEREAS, Twenty-five years ago, George Mason High School of Falls Church pioneered the first International Baccalaureate program in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the International Baccalaureate (IB) is a group of three educational programs that offers a challenging and world class education of the highest order developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO); and

WHEREAS, George Mason High School assisted the second and many subsequent Virginia schools in establishing their IB programs, thus spreading the opportunity for students to participate and benefit from IB programs throughout the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the lB Diploma Programme has stimulated the entire Falls Church City Public Schools education program and a study is underway to explore further implementing both the IB Primary Years Programme and the IB Middle Years Programme; and

WHEREAS, George Mason High School has received numerous accolades and national and international recognition for its IB programs, which prepare and challenge college-bound students; and

WHEREAS, George Mason High School’s IB program was publicly cited by the deputy regional director of the IBO North America headquartered in New York as “one of the best, if not the best IB program in the world”; and

WHEREAS, George Mason High School’s IB diploma and certificate recipients have been continually well-received by colleges and universities throughout North America and around the world where they excel in their studies; and

WHEREAS, the elevated academic record and performance of IB graduates in colleges and universities reflects the positive impact of IB programs, as seen in a greater number of IB students  annually returning and successfully completing college; and

WHEREAS, after 25 years, the IB program continues to receive enthusiastic support from parents and the City of Falls Church's school board, superintendent of schools, and city council; and

WHEREAS, the remarkable success of George Mason High School's IB program is a tribute to the outstanding contributions of its teachers and administrators, the hard work of its graduates, and the wisdom of the school leaders and citizens of the City of Falls Church that boldly charted a new positive direction in education 25 years ago; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly commend and congratulate the George Mason High School International Baccalaureate program on the occasion of its 25th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Falls Church City Public Schools and George Mason High School as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude for their commitment to the students of Falls Church and to the thousands of other students throughout the Commonwealth that have benefited from IB programs.