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Dissertation
A Program Evaluation of the International Baccalaureate Dual Language Diploma Programme
University of West Florida Libraries
Doctor of Education (EDD), University of West Florida
2025
Abstract
This dissertation in practice program evaluation assessed the efficacy of implementing the International Baccalaureate Dual Language Diploma Programme (IB DLDP) in Japan’s Article 1 secondary schools following almost a decade after Yamamoto, Saito, et al.’s (2016) initial report. I sought to address whether the challenges previously identified persisted and explored how Japan’s experience could inform other countries (e.g., South Korea) undertaking similar educational reforms (H.-J. Lee, 2021). Using a qualitative intrinsic case study approach, the study employed a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis (Benzaghta et al., 2021) as the evaluation framework to examine internal and external factors impacting DLDP implementation. I conducted semistructured interviews with four DLDP coordinators—two from IB World Schools with at least 5 years of DLDP experience and two from IB World Schools with less than 5 years of DLDP experience—to gain comprehensive insights into the program’s (a) strengths, (b) weaknesses, (c) opportunities, and (d) threats. The study found that the DLDP positively influenced student attributes, enhanced learning and skills development, improved school image, and provided alternative pathways to higher education. However, schools faced persistent challenges, including staffing and resource constraints, language barriers, stakeholder misperceptions, and limited national university recognition. Opportunities emerged to expand course offerings, build a preparatory curriculum, use alumni networks, strengthen institutional support, and enhance university acceptance of DLDP credentials. Conversely, rising costs, staff turnover, organizational instability, and continued skepticism from national universities posed significant threats. I synthesized these findings using a threats, opportunities, weaknesses, and strengths (TOWS) matrix to generate strategic initiatives to sustain DLDP growth in Japan. These strategies included promoting alumni success stories to build public trust; advocating for structural support from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) to align national and IB curricula; and encouraging universities to recognize the broader competencies that DLDP graduates bring. By following up on earlier research and filling a critical gap in the literature, this study provided timely, actionable insights for policymakers, educators, and administrators aiming to foster sustainable international education in national systems. I will communicate the results of this program evaluation to the MEXT IB Consortium, Diploma Programme coordinator (DPC) Japan Network, IB Association of Japan, and IB communities through a discussion, presentation, and publication.
Details
- Title
- A Program Evaluation of the International Baccalaureate Dual Language Diploma Programme
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Contributors
- Sabina Mahmood (Committee Member)Mark Malisa (Committee Chair)
- Publisher
- University of West Florida Libraries; Argo Scholar Commons
- Format
- pdf
- Number of pages
- 158
- Copyright
- Unpublished work © Priw-Prae Litticharoenporn
- Identifiers
- 99381563233806600
- Academic Unit
- School of Education
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Doctor of Education (EDD)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Education (EDD), University of West Florida