What is not CAS?

The amount of time spent on CAS activities is not as important as the quality of the experience. Trying to delineate the difference between what CAS is – or isn’t – may show an inappropriate attitude. If CAS becomes a points-scoring exercise, rather than an interesting variety of activities that the student finds intrinsically worthwhile and rewarding, and which is mutually beneficial to the student and to his or her community, then its purpose is lost. It is important that the spirit of CAS be considered at all times. If you need help finding quality and worthwhile activities, see Mr. Hyer, the CAS coordinator.

Generally, CAS is not taking place when the student is in a passive rather than an active role. There should be interaction. If the student is passive, nothing of real value, either for the student or for other people, results from what the student is doing, and no real reflection is possible. In such circumstances the student will be able to meet the objectives of CAS only to a very limited extent. Examples of activities which appear to be inappropriate are listed below.

• An activity where there is no leader or responsible adult on site to evaluate and confirm student performance.
• Any class, activity or project which is already part of your Diploma Program.
• Any project that you are required to do for any class that has a grade attached to it.
• An activity for which you are personally rewarded either financially or with some other benefit (unless this benefit is passed on in full to a worthy cause).
• An activity that benefits a for-profit business where it avoids paying an employee for similar work.

• Working in a home for the elderly or children’s home when the student: • has no idea of how the home operates • is just making sandwiches • has no contact at all with the elderly residents or children • actually does no service for other people. (This example can be applied to many other activities purporting to be CAS.)

  Doing simple, tedious and repetitive work, like returning school library books to the shelves, data entry, or folding flyers for a mailing.

• A passive pursuit, such as a visit to a museum, the theatre, art exhibition, concert or sports event, unless it clearly inspires work in a related activity in which a student is already engaged.
• All forms of duty within the family. (This includes extended family)
• Religious devotion (worship) and any activity which can be interpreted as proselytizing, which is defined as inducing someone to convert to one's own religious faith. This is a well-established IB rule that aims to avoid religious division among its international schools. It is not a judgment upon any religion. (Working with the homeless during Thanksgiving or the holiday break as part of a church group is an acceptable form of service provided no proselytizing is taking place.)
• Work experience which only benefits the student. (Assisting a wedding photographer)
• Fund-raising with no clearly defined end in sight.
• Activities which cause division amongst different groups in the community, such as the proposed Nantucket Sound Wind Farm or volunteering for a political campaign.
 

Performing or serving as a stage assistant in a Sturgis drama production doesn’t necessarily constitute a CAS opportunity. It is only considered appropriate if you can clearly define goals and later measure how you grew from the overall experience.