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 CAS stands for Creativity, Action, and Service, and is a required
component of the International Baccalaureate Program for all diploma students.
It is the IB framework to involve students in new roles in their communities.
Emphasis is on learning by doing activities that have real consequences in
everyday life, and reflecting on those experiences over time. This allows
students to extend what they have learned in the classroom and apply that
knowledge to service activities for other people and to improve the living
conditions for a person or an entire community. It is an interesting variety of
activities that students find intrinsically worthwhile and rewarding, and which
is mutually beneficial to students and their communities.
These activities are to be done gradually, be appropriately adapted to
situations, and take into account the students' aptitudes and interests. When
carried out well, CAS projects should build self-esteem, self-confidence,
autonomy, and self-reliance.
What CAS is Not
CAS is not simply another task in order to complete IB diploma requirements.
The spirit of CAS must be remembered at all times.
The following are examples of inappropriate CAS activities:
- an activity for which the student is rewarded financially or in another
material fashion
- doing simple repetitive work
- all forms of duty within the family
- fund-raising attempts with no clearly defined purpose
- work experience that benefits only the student
- any activity where there is no leader to evaluate and confirm student
performance
Guiding Questions
Students may ask themselves the following questions to determine whether or
not an activity qualifies as CAS:
- Is it a real task that I am going to undertake?
- Does it have real consequences for other people and for me?
- What do I hope to learn from doing this activity?
- How can this activity benefit other people?
IB students at Southside High School are expected to seek appropriate CAS
activities.
The CAS Coordinator and IB Coordinator are available for advice. The
three areas of CAS described on the Outline page are designed to assist students in
classifying their activities.
Questions about CAS activities should be directed
to the CAS Coordinator prior to submitting the CAS Participation Documentation
Form.
Expectations
1. Students must complete a minimum of 150 hours by March 30 of their senior
year. Students are strongly urged to complete 75-100 hours by the end of
the junior year.
2. CAS hours must be evenly distributed among the three areas (Creativity,
Action, Service). Students must accumulate 50 hours in each category.
3. Activities frequently involve more than one category. See the CAS
Coordinator with questions about how hours should be classified. For instance,
if a 20-hour activity includes both creative and action components, hours would
be accurately divided between those two components.
4. CAS hours should be earned through a variety of activities.
5. Religious activities that have a secular purpose MAY qualify as CAS.
However, if such activities devote much time to the advancement of the religion,
they do not qualify as CAS. Direct any questions or concerns to the CAS
Coordinator.
6. Hours earned during Service Learning class may qualify as CAS.
7. Approval of CAS hours FOLLOWS completion of the activity. Forms cannot be
written up in advance.
Documentation
1. Submit CAS Participation Documentation forms at the end of each grading
period. Completed forms should be turned in to the IB Office. CAS forms can be
found in the plastic file holder on the outside door of the IB Office.
2. The sponsor's signature must be on the front of a FULLY completed CAS
Participation Documentation form. Students must also complete the reflection
questions on the back of the form. The CAS Coordinator will return the form
without awarding credit if there is inadequate documentation or reflection.
3. IB Students will be expected to submit an essay at the end of the junior
and senior years discussing that year's involvement in CAS. This essay will be
due by March 30 each year.
4. Family members cannot approve hours or sign the CAS Documentation Form.
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