CAS Overview

Sep. 12th 2012

CAS Team Members

IB Coordinator Susan Farias (Fariasa@pcsb.org)

CAS Coordinators Beth Scussel (Scussele@pcsb.org)

Todd Maxwell (Maxwellto@pcsb.org

Academic CoachesParents

What is CAS? “CAS is at the heart of the IB Diploma

Programme. It is one of the three essential elements in ever student’s Diploma Programme. It involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies throughout the Diploma Programme …CAS enables students to enhance their personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning.”

-Creativity, Action, Service Guide (2008)

CAS: Creativity, Action, Service

What constitutes Creativity? Arts and other experiences that involve

creativity

What is Action? Physical exertion contributing to a healthy

lifestyle “breaking a sweat”

CAS: Creativity, Action, Service

What is Service? Students must have consequential

responsibilities, this is more than just volunteering

Must have a learning benefit for the student

CAS Learning Outcomes (LOs)

1. Increased awareness of own strengths and areas for growth

2. Undertaken new challenges3. Planned and initiated new activities4. Worked collaboratively with others5. Shown perseverance and commitment

in their activities6. Engaged in issues of global

importance7. Considered the ethical implications

of their actions8. Developed new skills

4 Criteria of a CAS Activity1. Real purposeful activities, with

significant outcomes. 2. Personal challenge- tasks must extend

the student3. Thoughtful consideration: planning,

reviewing progress and reporting4. Reflection on outcomes and personal

learning

Is it CAS? Areas of exclusion1. Just volunteering- must have a learning

benefit.2. Activities for pay3. Political activities which are divisive4. A course for a grade5. Religious activity involving only your

own religion6. A family responsibility7. Other activities deemed inappropriate

by the CAS team

IB Requirements Duration of the CAS program-

Involvement must be continuous for 18 months

Students should participate about 3-4 hours a week

Students must document their activities and provide evidence that they have achieved the learning outcomes. Documentation frequency and length is based

on depth and extent of involvement in the activity or project

Things to consider when choosing an activity…

Activities should: Include a measureable goal Include opportunities to learn new skills Last for at least 6 weeks (8 weeks for

projects). Documented and verifiable More than volunteering- you must have a

plan.

Responsibilities of the Student

1. Self review at the beginning of his/her CAS experience to set personal CAS goals.

2. Plan, do, reflect

Responsibilities of the Student

4. Communicate with Academic coach (CAS advisor) and CAS coordinators regularly

5. Take part in a range of activities, including at least one PROJECT

2 components of CAS Last at least 8 weeks Involve collaboration, planning, and

initiation.

Responsibilities of the Student6. Always keep records of the

activities/achievements he/she is involved with.

STPETEIB.Managebac.com

Documentation Requirements: Proposal

A thorough description of the activity planned

An explanation of how the students plans to work directly with the learner outcomes selected for the activity/project

Clearly define at least one measurable goal

Documentation Requirements

Reflections/reporting progress. Must occur at least once a month

Narrative explanation of the student’s involvement with the activity during the month Questions that should be addressed:

What did I plan to do? What did I actually do? What did I learn during my involvement? What is the value of this activity?

Supportive evidence Photos, videos, hour logs from service site,

documents created during planning

Documentation Requirements Concluding an activity:

Final reflection What was the result of the activity? Was the measurable goal met? Why or why

not?

CAS questions Very important! Address each of the LOs listed for the

activity/project, provide examples of how these learning outcomes were met.

Consequences To be “in compliance” with CAS

students must: Have 2 components of CAS running at all

times. Most report progress for each activity

open each month.

Consequences

First out of compliance: CAS coordinator lead detention in computer lab.

Second out of compliance: academic referral, detention in IB office.

Third out of compliance: second referral and parent conference

Parent Responsibilities Monitor student’s CAS

Hold them accountable for keeping up with CAS throughout the 18th months, especially during breaks

Discuss student’s CAS especially the global importance and ethical

consideration LOs. Help students to see the bigger picture of their actions.

Communicate with academic coach and/or CAS coordinator when there are questions/concerns