Inflexion has been a trusted research partner for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Organisation for over a decade, completing more than 15 high-impact projects that have shaped IB’s programs and policies worldwide. By combining innovative methodologies, a deep understanding of IB’s global context, and a collaborative approach, Inflexion has consistently delivered actionable insights tailored to IB’s unique needs. From exploring onscreen assessment readiness to studying digital innovations during the pandemic, Inflexion’s research has helped IB remain a leader in inclusive, forward-thinking education.
Client Background
The International Baccalaureate® Organisation (IBO) offers four educational programs to over 1.95 million students aged 3 to 19 across the world. As a global organization with a commitment to fostering inclusivity and academic excellence, IBO regularly commissions research to inform its policies and programs. Additionally, IBO is committed to amplifying non-traditional voices, ensuring its programs are inclusive and accessible to all regions, cultures, and languages.
Collaborating with Inflexion
As a global organization, IBO faces unique challenges in maintaining its innovative edge while addressing diverse stakeholder needs. These challenges require a research partner with both the technical expertise and the adaptability to navigate complex, evolving needs. IBO seeks third party vendors who offer external expertise to conduct comprehensive studies and generate actionable insights.
Inflexion partnered with IB when they needed to better understand barriers to implementing onscreen assessments across its schools, which vary significantly in infrastructure, resources, and regional contexts. Similarly, during the pandemic, IB sought help from Inflexion to capture innovative practices from schools worldwide to address the lack of published literature on the subject.
Over the past decade, IBO has partnered with Inflexion for projects ranging from curriculum audits to exploratory studies on equity and diversity. This long-term collaboration has made Inflexion IB’s go-to research partner, trusted to deliver results that account for IB’s complex, multilingual, and multicultural landscape.
Inflexion’s Approach
Inflexion’s Research and Evaluation team addressed IB’s challenges with a combination of rigorous methodologies, cultural awareness, and a collaborative approach. Inflexion’s approach includes
- Innovative Research Methodologies- Inflexion employs cutting-edge research techniques, such as cluster analysis and cross-sectional studies as well as traditional techniques, including site visits, surveys, interviews, and focus groups. By tailoring research approaches to each project’s unique needs, Inflexion delivers nuanced and actionable insights while ensuring findings are precise, context-aware, and relevant to IB’s goals.
- Global Reach, Multi-Lingual Reporting- With a deep understanding of and sensitivity to IB’s international scope, IBO published Inflexion’s reports in multiple languages, including Spanish, English, French, Arabic, and Mandarin. This ensures that findings are accessible and applicable to IB’s diverse stakeholders worldwide.
- Collaboration and Flexibility- Inflexion’s collaborative approach is built on proactive communication and iterative feedback. Through regular meetings, shared data instruments, and review opportunities, Inflexion adapts its processes to meet IB’s evolving needs, ensuring deliverables align with IB’s timelines and objectives.
- Pragmatic, Actionable Reports- Every report produced by Inflexion is designed with practicality in mind, offering clear, actionable recommendations tailored to IB’s resources, goals, and context. The focus is always on providing insights that are not only research-driven but also immediately applicable for decision-making and implementation.
- Innovative Research in Educational Trends- Inflexion stays at the forefront of educational research, exploring emerging topics such as digital innovation, onscreen assessments, diversity, equity, and inclusion. By combining global insights with an understanding of IB’s specific programs, Inflexion equips IB with strategies to remain innovative and responsive to stakeholder needs.
Selected Research Projects
Inflexion’s partnership with the IB has resulted in a wide array of impactful research projects, each designed to address IB’s evolving needs and global context. The past projects highlight Inflexion’s expertise in delivering high-quality, actionable insights that inform IB’s policies and practices:
- Onscreen Examination Readiness Study
Leveraging innovative cluster analysis, Inflexion grouped IB schools by key characteristics, such as infrastructure and resource availability. This research identified specific barriers to implementing onscreen assessments, enabling IB to tailor solutions for schools based on their unique profiles. Link to Paper - Exploratory Study on Digital Innovations During COVID-19
Conducted at the end of the pandemic, this study captured real-time insights from IB schools across Germany, Mexico, China, the U.S., and Australia. By engaging schools through interviews, focus groups, and surveys, Inflexion provided a comprehensive view of how IB schools adapted to unprecedented challenges. Link to Paper - Study on Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion in the IB MYP
This exploratory research study examined barriers to equity and inclusion in the Middle Years Programme (MYP). Inflexion’s findings helped IB better understand the systemic challenges facing students and schools globally, informing strategies to enhance accessibility and inclusion. - IB Educator Network Success Case Study
Inflexion analyzed the effectiveness of IB’s Educator Network, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. This case study provided actionable recommendations to strengthen professional development opportunities for IB educators. Link to Paper - Curriculum Audit on Cultural Diversity and Sensitivity
Inflexion conducted a detailed audit of IB’s curriculum to assess its representation of cultural diversity and sensitivity to personal identities. This research offered concrete suggestions for making IB’s curriculum more inclusive and reflective of global perspectives. - Exploratory Study on Growth Mindset in IB Programs
Part of a broader series on social-emotional learning, this study examined how growth mindset principles were integrated into IB programs. Inflexion’s findings highlighted opportunities to further embed social-emotional learning practices across IB’s curricula. Link to Paper
Results
Inflexion’s partnership with IB has delivered transformative results with a lasting impact on their programs and policies. Through studies like the Onscreen Readiness Study and Digital Innovations Study, Inflexion provided critical insights that refined IB’s strategies, ensuring programs remained globally relevant and inclusive. The actionable recommendations from projects such as the Curriculum Audit on Cultural Diversity directly influenced IB’s efforts to foster equity and accessibility across their offerings. By amplifying diverse voices through research conducted in multiple languages and regions, Inflexion helped IB address systemic barriers and create more inclusive policies. This sustained collaboration has positioned Inflexion as IB’s trusted research partner, driving systemic improvements that continue to benefit IB schools, students, and educators worldwide.
