POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR COURSES
IN THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION*

1. GRADING SCALE:    
Letter Grades Percentage Range  Grade Points
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F
 93 -  100% 
91 -    92%
89 -    90%
86 -    88%
84 -    85%
82 -    83%
79 -    81%
77 -    78%
75 -    76%
72 -    74%
70 -    71%
0 -   69%
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.7
0.0

A grade below 77 is considered a failing grade for graduate courses. No D’s are given in graduate programs.

2. PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR/DISPOSITIONS: Students are responsible for all content and assignments for each class. They are expected to demonstrate professional behaviors consistent with the following dispositions:
• The belief that all students can learn.
• Value and respect for difference.
• Value of positive human interaction.
• Intellectual curiosity and willingness to learn new knowledge.
• A commitment to inquiry, reflection, and self-assessment.
• Value of responsible, collaborative, and cooperative work.
• Sensitivity to community and cultural context.
• Responsible and ethical practice.

3. ATTENDANCE: Class attendance and punctuality are expected professional behaviors. Students are responsible for meeting the specific attendance requirements as outlined in the syllabus for each course.  A student may receive a “WA/F” for excessive absences, based on the class attendance requirements specified in the syllabus.

4. MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS AND QUIZZES:  If a quiz or examination (other than the final examination) was missed for a legitimate reason, as determined by the professor, the professor has the discretion to administer a make-up examination.  It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements for the make-up.

5. DUE DATES:  Due dates for course assignments, as well as scheduled quizzes and exams, are listed in the syllabus. Any changes will be announced in class.  Consequences related to late materials are determined by the professor.

6. FINAL EXAMS: The final exam for each course (which may be in the form of an examination, performance, or project) will only take place during the period scheduled for the final exam for that course.  (Undergraduate students who have more than two final exams scheduled on the same day may arrange for an alternate time for one final exam through the Office of the Undergraduate Dean.) Graduate students have their own schedule and they need to go through the Graduate Dean for changes.

7. PAPERS: Papers will be word processed using the style of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (most current edition).
* Applies to all EDEE and EDFS courses and all PEHD teacher education courses above the 200 level.

8. HONOR SYSTEM: All courses in the School of Education are conducted under the Honor Code of the College of Charleston. The Honor Code specifically forbids lying, cheating, attempted cheating, stealing, attempted stealing and plagiarism. Students at the College are bound by honor and by their acceptance of admission to the College to abide by the Code and to report violations. As members of the College community, students are expected to evidence a high standard of personal conduct and to respect the rights of other students, faculty, staff members, community neighbors, and visitors on campus. Students are also expected to adhere to all federal, state, and local laws. Faculty members are required to report violations of the Honor Code or Code of Conduct to the Office of Student Affairs. Conviction of an Honor Code violation in a class will result in the grade of “XF" for the course.

9. ADA ACCOMMODATIONS: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all qualified students are entitled to “reasonable accommodations.” The instructor must be notified during the first week of class of any accommodations needed.

MISSION
 
The mission of the School of Education at the College of Charleston is the development of educators and health professionals to lead a diverse community of learners toward an understanding of and active participation in a highly complex world.

Our mission is to be a community of diverse teacher leaders who ensure exemplary learning and wellness opportunities for all individuals. These opportunities are created by professionals who can MAKE THE TEACHING - LEARNING CONNECTION through these abilities:
• Understanding and valuing the learner;
• Knowing what and how to teach and assess and how to create an environment in which learning occurs;
• Understanding ourselves as professionals.


MAKE THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CONNECTION

The mission is further defined through elements of teacher competency that organize standards of effective teaching.

Element of Teacher Competency 1: Understand and value the learner
    Standard I: Evidence theoretical and practical understanding of the ways learners develop

Element of Teacher Competency 2: Know what and how to teach and assess and how to create an environment in which learning occurs.
    Standard II:  Demonstrate understanding and application of the critical attributes and pedagogy of the major content areas.
    Standard III:  Evidence a variety of strategies that optimize student learning
    Standard VI: Demonstrate an understanding of the continuous nature of assessment and its role in facilitating learning

Element of Teacher Competency 3: Understand oneself as a professional
    Standard IV: Participate in informed personal and shared decision making that has as its focus the enhancement of schooling and the profession
    Standard V:  Communicate effectively with students, parents, colleagues, and the community
    Standard VII: Show an understanding of the culture and organization of schools and school systems, and their connection to the larger society

College of Charleston
School of Education
Charleston, South Carolina 29424
http://www.cofc.edu/SchoolofEducation

Revised and approved by SOE faculty 3/06.