Changes and Requirements

CAS Changes

The IB organization has initiated the following changes to the CAS requirements to become effective for the IBDC class of 2013. These changes are meant to help the students more easily document their fulfillment of the CAS component of the IB diploma program.

Students must record/upload all of reflections, documentation, and supervisor reports on ManageBac (www.managebac.com). This will ensure proper collection of data in one place and better facilitate submission to IB.

You have freedom to choose to measure your involvement by days or months; however, it is highly recommend that you continue to count your hours and to keep the 50/50/50 breakdown. Your reflections as well as your supervisor’s conformation will serve as proof to the amount of hours that were accumulated per activity.

You must propose your intended activity on managebac 72 hours prior to participation. Your activity will be reviewed and, if suitable approved. Failure to submit a proposal 72 hours before initiated to managebac could result in the particular activity being denied.

Each activity must have one or more of the CAS components and must be tied to at least one or more of the eight learning outcomes. These outcomes parallel the Learner Profile. 

For each activity, you are required to properly and promptly document your participation and gauge the amount of time spent. You must also provide proof from the activity supervisor/leader 72 hours after completion. Your hours and involvement will be verified and confirmed by your supervisor via ManageBac.

Clubs such as NHS/Interact/Key or any other organizations that previously had an all inclusive proposal and reflection will now require an individualized proposal and reflection for each separate activity. Proposals must be submitted to managebac at least 72 hours prior to the student’s intended participation. You may still use the sponsors as supervisor verification.

Lamar is trying to further develop the CAS program from regular activities to CAS activities and from CAS activities to CAS projects.

You must take part in a range of activities, including at least one project, some of which you have initiated. You must include a plan, do, and reflect (plan activities, carry them out and reflect on what they have learned).

You must complete at least one project involving teamwork that interrogates two or more of creativity, actions and service, and is of significant duration.

At least one of your activities must include two or more of the required components. Activities that have multiple CAS components are encouraged.

CAS cannot be completed with one all inclusive singular activity.

The CAS coordinator as well as a team of advisors will oversee and help guide the development of each student. Communication will occur via managebac and through other various forums such as the Office of Service Learning, clubs sponsors, advisors, or activity leader. 

Ms.Gutowsky will have mandatory formal meetings with every IBDC candidate each six weeks to discuss their progress. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule the meeting at least a week in advance to their desired date and time. The signup sheet will be in the CAS office. Group discussion are allowed and encouraged.

Emphasis is now placed on the personal growth of each individual student and will be a focal point of the program. This will be assessed through the student’s reflections. Reflections are now defined broadly and have a variety of acceptable forms.

IB no longer requires a student to produce a Final CAS Essay.

Students are required to do a self-review at the beginning of their CAS experience and set personal goals for what they hope to achieve through their CAS programme. This will be your first journal entry.