In 2008, IBO changed the focus of CAS from an “hours accrual” activity to a life, growth and change activity in which students worked on non-cognitive but very essential skills. While middle school may still count hours, Action and Service, the high school MYP form of CAS does not. Please read about it in the following booklets:DP CAS guide 2015 for exams 2017 and Developing Service and Action in MYP. The essence of CAS is rooted in these Learner Outcomes:
- increasing awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth
- undertaking new challenges
- planning and initiating activities
- working collaboratively with others
- showing perseverance and commitment in your activities
- engaging with issues of global importance
- considering the ethical implications of your actions
- developing new skills
The focus is now on identifying areas of growth through the learner outcomes and students’ own personal needs, planning and carrying out activities that foster that growth, and then reflecting on that growth. IBO considers CAS to be where students carry over their MYP Areas of Interaction into their budding adult lives through experiential learning. For a matrix that explains this: Experiential Learning Matrix. Here are questions to consider for reflection and samples of what reflections look like: Sample_Reflection2
IB also wants students to connect what they are learning in the classroom with action and service in the real world. To that end, every MYP subject must have a unit that inquires into service or action or inquires and DOES service or action as a part of the activities in the unit.
This year, we will continue to require a combination of service, personal action and creativity activities for each student. This way, students learn to seek out experiences, plan to participate in them, have structured activities to participate in, and have more “hands-on” guidance on the reflection and evaluation process. With this basis, students can more confidently create their personal goals and pursue them, using the Design Cycle. To learn more about it, please watch the presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KN-OhT_oikJ6jaMg3SHTSPqFLbNWTUlW/view?usp=sharing. Please look at our guides: 2021-22 Action and Service Made Simple_MYP, 2021-22 CAS Made Simple_DP
Students must fulfill the required number of activities for their level. MYP students must accomplish 5 activities each year for 9th and 10th grades for a total of 10. In 9th we balance service with international action. In grade 10, we allow students to seek personal action along with service activities. DP Juniors and seniors must accomplish 5 activities each year, covering the 18 months of the program. In addition to the 10 activities must be the CAS project, which must be completed no later than the end of semester one senior year. DP CAS activities must be a balance of creativity, activity, and service and must show coverage of all the learner outcomes. DP Course students are exempt from CAS activities. CP students fulfill their service learning through projects monitored in Personal and Professional Skills class.
All students are assigned a CAS adviser! Ninth and 11th graders are supervised by Ms. Biddle and Ms. Shaw. Sophomores and seniors are divided among the IB faculty by alphabet.
To record your CAS evidence, questions and reflections, we use ManageBac. To sign in to ManageBac, please go here (and bookmark this site!): https://henricohs.managebac.com/login. Please see the following tutorials if you have questions — or go see Mr. Rigler.CAS_StudentGuide
For all additional information and support, email Mr. Rigler @ rtrigler@henrico.k12.va.us.
Students will be evaluated every 9 weeks to determine if they are on track. Seniors must have all their CAS completed by the time exams begin in May. Sophomores must be complete May as well. Freshman and Juniors must be on track, having completed their minimum required five, by the end of the school year or they will be placed on probation. Students will have until September 11 to correct their deficits. Seniors who are not caught up will be registered as Course Students for IB exams and will no longer be eligible for the IB Diploma.
In addition to CAS requirements, students may also work towards the Community Service Learning medallion on their Virginia Diploma. This requires 80 hours of community service, pre-approved by Mrs. Nicole Satchell, and documented with the appropriate forms and signatures. Please see HCPS website , http://www.henrico.k12.va.us/students/volunteer.html or Ms. Satchell for details.