IB CAS program

  

What is CAS?

Creativity. Action.  Service. These are the fundamental components of the International Baccalaureate’s Creativity Action and Service (CAS) program.  In order to obtain an IB diploma, a candidate must fulfill this two-year program.  Additionally, college preparatory candidates who are not taking this IB diploma must complete an alternative two year version of this program.

Philosophy

The philosophy of CAS is based on experiential learning, or gaining new knowledge through doing new activities.  The philosophy is based on several assumptions:

  • Education does not begin or end in the classroom or examination hall and the most essential elements of education may exist outside of both.
  • An international education must go well beyond the provision of information and is involved in the development of attitudes and values which transcend barriers of race, class, religion, gender or politics.
  • Service to the community (local, national or international) is a complement to intellectual development and the academic curriculum.
  • International schools have a special challenge and opportunity to establish links with the local community and, by doing so, to further international understanding.
The CAS experience is a unique opportunity (as well as a forum of reflection) for the learning and individual growth that takes place outside the classroom.  Take advantage of these special opportunities.  They will enrich your time as an AISR student, as a resident of the Netherlands, and as a member of the international community.

If you have any queries regarding the CAS Program at AISR, please contact the CAS Superviror, Ms Lynda Boot by e-mail or telephone +31  10   4225351.  Full details regarding the program are available in the CAS Manual.

CAS Requirements at AISR

CAS is a requirement at AISR for both 11th and 12th grade students, as well as for first and second year IB students.

All CAS Participants

  • CAS activities must be carried out regularly over the first three semesters of the junior and senior years.
  • One half-day a week (or 3-4 hours) a week should be devoted to CAS activities. On-going projects are preferred to one-time events.
  • The three areas of Creativity, Action, and Service should be in balance with one another when comparing the total hours spent in each area.
  • The personal CAS Program Plan must be completed at the beginning of the first year of the IB diploma courses.  This is to emphasize the planning necessary for these activities.
  • The CAS supervisor must be informed in writing about any changes or new activities that may be included in a CAS personal program.
  • The CAS journal must be kept up to date, along with the CAS Activities Log.
  • All required reports and evaluations must be submitted on time (see Time Line).
  • Each CAS activity must have an adult activity leader.  It is the student’s responsibility to respectfully ask that adult to be the activity leader, and to inform that leader what is expected in his or her role as evaluator.  Give the leader appropriate time to complete the Activity Leader’s Evaluation Report.
  • Creativity hours: A maximum of 8 hours for each Creativity project are accepted for CAS unless it is an ongoing project. Extra hours may be recorded, however.
  • Action hours: A maximum of 8 hours for each organized sport or activity are accepted for CAS.  This means 8 hours maximum for a particular individual or team sport played at school.  If you participate in the same sport out of school, these extra hours may be counted. All extra hours may be recorded, however.
  • Service hours: A maximum of 8 hours of Service may be earned for AISR-related activities, unless it is an ongoing activity. All extra hours may be recorded, however.

IB Diploma Candidates

  • CAS activities should add up to a minimum total of 150 hours over the first three semesters of the IB program.  This breaks down to minimums of: 50 hours Creativity, 50 hours Action, and 50 hours Service. This keeps the respective areas in balance.

College Preparatory Candidates

  • CAS activities should add up to a minimum total of 100 hours over the first three semesters of the junior and senior years.  This breaks down to minimums of: 33.3 hours Creativity, 33.3 hours Action, and 33.3 hours Service. This keeps the respective areas in balance.