Student Assessment & Achievement Policy:
AC/C TECH’s “Assessment & Achievement Policy” includes the following areas:
AC/C TECH measures student achievement through direct assessments including quizzes, lab assignments, a final examination, and OJT (On-Job Training) assignments. In all cases, the benchmark for successful completion is earning a score of at least 70%. This benchmark aligns with various external technical licensure requirements and was thus adopted throughout AC/C TECH’s curriculum as the minimum standard of achievement. As comparison, maintenance technicians are required to score 70% or higher to earn a license in trades related to plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. Additionally, maintenance technicians are required to score 70% or higher to earn EPA Technician Certification and score 70% or higher to complete auditor training as administered by the Indiana Housing Community Development Authority (IHCDA). We simply wanted to align our passing standards with industry standards used in the trade… which is why we use a percentage method rather than grades.
Also, students are required to maintain a cumulative score of 70% and complete at least 67% of all courses attempted. Furthermore, the maximum time frame may not exceed 150% of the published length of the program, e.g.: the AAS Degree program cannot exceed 54 months. Once more, AC/C TECH does not assign letter grades, we assign percentage scores as indicated:
Performance Indicator
100 - 95% Superior
94 - 88% Good
87 - 80% Average
79 - 70% Passing
Students are allowed to retake quizzes and final examinations. Quizzes and examinations are automatically graded within the Learning Management System, and based on this percentage scoring method, students who score below 70 percent on a quiz is allowed two retakes. Students who score below 70 percent on a final examination is allowed one retake. As further clarification, any student regardless of their score may retake an assessment to improve scores. Retake-quizzes and examinations are randomly drawn from a test-bank to assure students do not get the same assessment (questions and answers) twice.
Attendance performance and/or class participation is not factored into passing standards.
Students are informed of their progress on a regular basis. In fact, all transcripts are updated daily, and the updated copy is deposited into the student’s private account. This frequent notification serves as early warning about their SAP status. Students may be assigned a course designation of “A” for Audit Course, “P” for Passed Course, “F” for Failed Course, “I” for Incomplete, “T” for Transferred, “TO” for Test-out, “WA” for Withdrew Administratively, “WP” for Withdrew Passing, or “WF” for Withdrew Failing. Note: All “WA’s” are processed due to a non-compliance issue stemming from the student, or a request from an employer where the student is assigned to complete OJT.
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Adherence to AC/C TECH’s Assessment and Grading Policy
The entire AC/C TECH staff will adhere to the assessment and grading policy due to training, institutional effectiveness data, and annual performance evaluations.
Training
Shortly after gaining employment, and every year thereafter, each faculty member is required to attend training related to AC/C TECH’s: [1] Mission and Institutional Goals, [2] Curricula Mapping, [3] Outcomes Assessment Plan, [4] Clock-Credit Hour Evaluation, [5] Curriculum Development Manual, [6] List of Textbooks, [7] Externship/Internship Policy, [8] OJT Form and Grading Policy, [9] Training Resource Center, [10] 24-Hour Timeline to Answer Student Questions and/or Concerns, [11] Grading Policy, and [12] Confidentiality of Student Records.
Institutional Effectiveness Data
As part of AC/C TECH’s institutional effectiveness data, we collect and analyze results stemming from pre-assessment scores, quiz scores, lab assignment scores, final examination scores, OJT scores, course scores, course passing rates, graduation rates, retention rates, employment/professional enhancement rates, and program revision schedule results (keeping courses aligned with industry standards and governmental regulations.
Annual Performance Evalutions
Similar to other institutions, all faculty members are evaluated annually. Where deficiencies are detected, a corrective action plan will be implemented. So, in short, AC/C TECH is dedicated to its faculty's continued professional growth.
Once more, the combination of instructor training, institutional effectiveness data, and performance evaluations will help all faculty members to develop a good understanding of our grading processes and realize the importance of consistently adhering to the policies.
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Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy
AC/C TECH aligns its Satisfactory Academic Progress policy with the federal government standards for financial aid. More specifically, all students are required to make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in their program of study which includes maintaining a cumulative score of 70%, completing 67% of all attempted coursework, and completing the degree within 150% of the standard program length, e.g.: the AAS Degree program cannot exceed 54 months.
The instructional staff is required to monitor the student’s progress routinely, engage students in a one-on-one conversation during web-based meetings, provide counseling and tutoring as needed, and computerize all results. The students’ performance is determined by completing lectures, labs, quizzes, a final examination, and OJT assignments. As the minimum passing standard, students are required to demonstrate a proficiency in 70% of the course activities. Once again, attendance performance and/or class participation is not factored into passing standards.
The instructional staff and Director of Student Services are emailed an updated summary of the students’ academic progress (scores) daily. Also, the sponsor and/or employer where the student is assigned to complete OJT is provided a copy, but only after obtaining the student’s authorization on a Release of Information Form. Since the sponsor and employer have a vested interest in obtaining student achievement, while at the same time keeping the student engaged, this leads to impartial evaluations on the ability of the students to complete their tasks. Simply put, this method of communication allows AC/C TECH to identify and correct deficiencies as soon as possible.
Furthermore, at the end of every course the students SAP score is updated, and if the score drops below 70%, the student will be issued a warning. When the score drops below 67%, the student will be dismissed from the training… following an appeal, if applicable. These early and ongoing notifications will increase the likelihood of students completing their training. Students may appeal the suspension/removal by following the procedures outlined in our Complaint/Grievance Policy.
Lastly, it is the responsibility of both the Instructional Staff and Director of Student Services to identify the student’s academic progress. In addition, it is their duty to inform the Director of Education where deficiencies exist, so that an evaluation can be made for determining if the noted deficiencies are stemming from training materials, which can be tweaked.
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