This would seem like yet another example of a systemic need to move towards less contrast and less stress. The backhanded rationale speaks to the need for uniformity and the elimination of any creative tension. 

A colleague recently pointed out to me that if one takes the reduce tension path to its logical conclusion, that end is death - ultimate stresslessness. 

Any system which eschews contrast, ends up with monotony.  Is this where education needs to be in a world that is accelerating knowledge acquisition beyond exponential every day that passes?

Well said Frank; I can’t really add more to that, because it pretty much sums up what the attitudes are about our school system these days.

I will, however, link to an excellent column written by Margaret Wente back in 2011. It’s another indication that teacher colleges are equally responsible in creating this current day abysmal education system http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/too-many-teachers-cant-do-math-let-alone-teach-it/article1361217/ 

I found this passage particular telling: 

““Classes in elementary schools have complex human interactions that involve political, racial, economic and gender issues,” writes Cecilia Reynolds, the dean of education at the University of Saskatchewan. Her faculty is now considering whether to make the math course an elective – meaning that future teachers wouldn’t have to demonstrate any proficiency at all. She thinks math training should be more child-focused, “taking into consideration if that child is aboriginal, if that child has autism, whether that child ate a breakfast that morning.” Her own professional interests are in gender relations, equity and social justice.”

Why aren’t parents protesting loudly about the decision by bureaucrats to drop the IB?  The silence is deafening!
But watch out boards of ed, when you want to close a school, be it with lousy test scores or not the parents will fight you tooth and nail! 

I think that as a society, we’re our own worst enemy, and our children are bearing the brunt of our utter stupidity.

“I think that as a society, we’re our own worst enemy, and our children are bearing the brunt of our utter stupidity.”

Bev, that’s a little harsh.  As a parent who’s been fighting the stupidity of our School District and kids’ school bureaucracy for years now, I can attest to the fact that many parents have tried, and utterly failed due to the uphill climb they’ve encountered.

The parents will have no impact on this decision to close the school; it was a policy decision made in order to save a buck (or two).  Education is viewed these days as a “business”; it has little to do with actual learning. Check your local School Act…what tenets are there that actually indicate that the School District is responsible for ensuring your child actually learns a thing or two in school?  It’s why parents are now solving their kids’ own problems on their own.  They have been disappointed and let down by the system.  What’s a parent to do?  Even activating, or motivating parents in action…the School District/province just waits them out, meets with them once perhaps, and then leaves them hanging until the kid moves on and parents lose interest, or just solve the problem themselves.

A decision like this needs to be reversed by a huge, monumental COMBINED effort of all involved.  Don’t blame the parents; there’s not a hope our concerns would ever be acknowledged.

There was some strong community effort to maintain the IB program in the Regina Public system.
Here is the change.org petition that Jonah Toth (grade 12 IB student) initiated:
https://www.change.org/p/save-the-ib-program-at-campbell-collegiate
Also- here is a link to my Jan 23, 2016 letter to the editor in our local paper.  I believe it was the only letter to the editor on the topic published:
http://www.pressreader.com/canada/leader-post/20160123/281706908695904/TextView
And to be fair, here is the Feb 15,2015 Regina Public Schools High School strategy:
http://www.rbe.sk.ca/our-schools/high-schools/high-school-strategy
We are waiting to see what AP courses will be offered at Regina public high schools now that the magnet IB program (that was open to all students across the city) is no longer available.
I personally had contact with 2 elected school board members and the school superintendent of student achievement expressing my concerns as well. Further, I sent an email with these same concerns to our newly elected MP, Erin Weir, who is a graduate of Campbell Collegiate- the school that hosted the IB program since 1989. 

Therese, I would love to hear how the above endeavours turn out. 
I fought many battles when my kids were in public schools, and succeeded many times.
The trick is not to give up—ever!
The best of luck to parents who are trying to improve our abysmal educational system!