Progress Policies
How often must a school evaluate student progress, and what are the minimum requirements for graduation?
Edward,
Excellent point which is also why the rules require timely feedback to students (i.e. At the midpoint or at least every 8 weeks whichever is shorter)
JP Mehlmann
Midpoint evals are important for students just like associates. It helps correct weaknesses and steers them on a path to success.
Darlene,
Thanks for your posting. Progress must be evaluated at least every 8 weeks. In addition to a CGPA of 2.0, the student must achieve a passing grade on all required subjects in order to graduate.
JP Mehlmann
To insure students are on schedule and can complete their program of study within the Maximum Time Frame their Pace of Completion will be evaluated at the end of each grading period.
In order for students to be eligible for graduation, the student must have a minimum CGPA of 2.0.
Schools should evaluate progress at the end of each grading periods. Grading periods may not be longer than eight weeks. Schools offering courses approved on a credit hour basis must evaluate progress at the mid point and at the end of the term for the academic semester or the academic quarter or at least every eight weeks.
Prem,
Thank you for your post. The forum question pertains to the satisfactory progress policy and graduation requirements. In regards to Satisfactory Progress policies, the TWC CSC rules include that progress must be evaluated at least every 8 weeks or at the midterm for programs longer than 200 clock hours. For complete rules, please see the rules at: §807.222. Progress Requirements for Residence Schools. Graduation requirements typically follow the 2.0 GPA and 80% attendance, and completing all courses within 150% of the normal time to complete. (again, see the rules for details).
Thank you,
JP Mehlmann
We have set up system to talk to the student advisors, if s/he fails to pass a evaluation period. The advisors provide specific way to improve his/her score, and also provide alternatives of the career.
Susan,
It sounds like your policy is well within the TWC CSC rules. As a reminder, it is important to maintain documentation of advising and/or other actions taken for students not meeting the progress policy.
Thank you!
JP Mehlmann
Progress requirement for courses of 40 clock hours or less is evaluated at the end of the course. For 41 through 200 clock hours, it is evaluted at the middle and end of each progress evaluation period. For programs longer than 200 hours, evaluation is completed at the end of each grading period which may not be longer than 8 weeks.
As a degree granting school, we evaluate progress every academic semester. The requirement for graduation is a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, and a passing grade on all required subjects. Our passing grade for General Education courses is 70%; and 76% for the courses in the core program.
Katherine,
That is correct however the requirement includes verbiage that the school evaluate progress "at the midpoint or at least every 8 weeks..." In addition, Graduation requirements usually include: the student satisfactorily pass all courses and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.
JP Mehlmann
Student progress must be evalutaed at least every 8 weeks.
A school must evaluate a students progress at the middle and the end of each marking period. A student must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and passing grades on all subjects.
Juan,
Since your program is short, be sure to review the TWC CSC rules to make sure that your progress policy (including graduation requirements) is in compliance.
JP Mehlmann
Our program is only 160 hrs and lasts for 3 weeks. we do progress reports once a week and daily in terms of making sure students are progressing on pace.
Beki,
Good answer. Although not always thought of as a satisfactory progress issue, another graduation requirement is that the student finish within 150% of the normal time to complete. For students with multiple drops/re-enters, the decision whether or not to allow a re-enter could be based on if the student would exceed 150% if he/she returns to school.
JP Mehlmann
For programs in excess of 200 clock hours and are offering courses approved on a credit hour basis the progress is to be evaluated at the midpoint and end-of-term for the academic semester or at least every eight weeks. If student is not making satisfactory progress at midpoint they will be advised and put on a probation plan until the end of the next evaluation period. If progress is not improved the student will be terminated for the minimum of one grading period. If progress is improved the student if off probation. To help the students be successful our school has them meet with an advisor every week to check progress and offer assistance.
The Minimum requirements for graduation is a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
Lisa,
Hi Lisa,
I think a "W" is ok as long as the student did not request a grade. If the student requests a grade, then an "I" would seem necessary. I believe the TWC is more concerned that such students who return within a year are not charged additional tuition. If your catalog covers this information then it is up to the student to be aware of the policies. Thanks.
JP Mehlmann
Hi JP, in this section it states "A student who withdraws for a reason unrelated to the student's academic status after the 75 percent completion mark and requests a grade at the time of withdrawal shall be given a grade of "incomplete" and permitted to re-enroll in the course or program during the 12-month period following the date the student withdrew without payment of additional tuition for that portion of the course or program." I understand this as saying a student will not be charged for making up a class with a grade of incomplete but does the school have to assign an "incomplete" or is a "W" for withdrawn acceptable? Thanks!
Harvey,
Sounds good as long as your progress evaluation points are at the mid-point of the term or at least every 8 weeks (whichever comes first). In addition, TWC CSC requires passing each course and least 80% attendance to graduate.
