- Judson Early College Academy (JECA)
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Martin-Mcdaniel, Christie
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COLLEGE & CAREER PREP II - SYLLABUS
Judson Early College Academy
Ms. Christie E. Martin, M. Ed., MLS
Room B 129 cmartinmcdaniel@judsonisd.org
Phone: 210-619-0200
Conference Times: MW: 8:00-9:00AM TR: 9:30-10:30
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course includes research and theory on learning, cognition, and motivation--factors that impact learning, and application of learning strategies. Theoretical models of strategic learning, cognition, and motivation serve as the foundation for the introduction of college-level student academic strategies. Students use of assessment instruments (e.g., learning inventories) to help them identify their own strengths and weaknesses as strategic learners. Students are ultimately expected to integrate and apply the learning skills discussed across their own academic programs and become effective and efficient learners. Students developing these skills should be able to continually draw from theoretical models they have learned.
COURSE PHILOSOPHY
To prepare students to become life-long learners and upstanding citizens who utilize effective literacy skills to attain college and career readiness.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completing this course, the students should be able to:
- Plan and implement a personalized college and career plan (adapted from Texas Education Agency)
- Engage in meaningful activities that lead to self-discovery, reflection, and goal setting
Embrace and utilize Learning and Study Strategies (LASSI Inventory), in conjunction with a myriad of other learning inventories.
- Read and comprehend a wide variety of expository, argumentative, and narrative texts
- Compose a variety of written compositions with a clear controlling thesis, coherent organization, and sufficient concrete details, incorporating ethos, logos and pathos
- Research: know how to locate a range of relevant sources and evaluate, synthesize, and present ideas with concrete details, as well as accurately render credit for information that is not considered common knowledge.
- Listen and respond to the ideas of others while contributing original ideas during discussions and in group settings
- Use the oral and written conventions of the English language in speaking and writing effectively
- Engage in activities that build on prior knowledge and skills in order to strengthen literacy skills
BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
As respectful young men and women, students are expected to behave in a manner that is appropriate for an academic environment. Success in the classroom is more than earning an “A”, as behavior plays a major role in level of achievement. The following are the basic guidelines for ensuring behavioral success this year:
- Be Present, Open, & Welcoming: Cell Phones & Side Conversations- Only Instructor Permission
- Be Punctual & Prepared: As Soon as You Walk In, Open Planner, and Prepare to Start the Lesson)
- Always Be Respectful & Kind: Avoid Put Downs
- Be Constructive: Critique Ideas Not People & Always Offer Opinions Using Supporting Evidence
- Strive for Excellence Always
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES
Please note that the following resources are not exhaustive. The instructor reserves the right to add other readings as needed. There is no official textbook assigned to the College Prep course and materials will be introduced from various resources such as:
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens
- What Color is Your Parachute? For Teens
- Real Writing With Readings
- 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology
- Writers Inc.
- The Language of Composition
- Elements of Argument
- A Community of Writers
- Leverage Your Time: Balance Your Life
- LASSI – Learning and Study Strategies Inventory
- Other Academic Articles/Journals
KEY COGNITIVE SKILLS
- Intellectual Curiosity - Engage in scholarly inquiry and dialogue
- Reasoning - Consider and construct well-reasoned arguments
- Problem Solving - Analyze, develop, and collect evidence to solve a problem
- Academic Behaviors - Self-monitor learning needs and seek assistance when needed
- Work Habits - Work independently and collaboratively
- Academic Integrity – Applying ethical beliefs in all tasks
FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS
The following are proficiencies students need to be able to transfer knowledge and apply across the curriculum: reading, writing, conducting research, understanding data & technology and their ethical implementation.
- Reading across the curriculum
- Writing across the curriculum
- Research across the curriculum
- Use of Data
- Technology Proficiency
SUPPLY LIST
All items are listed on the JECA supply list for College Prep
- Index cards – for students to use during NLC Midterm Examinations if the student wishes to create note/study cards
- Post-its for textbook note taking and peer feedback
- Composition Book/Journal for Daily Writing
- 1 Bradded Folder for collection of important documents
- Binder is optional
GRADING POLICY
The College Prep program’s goal is to support outside assignments and assign minimal or no homework. Exceptions may include work on major projects, essays or research.
- 60% Quizzes, Daily Class Assignments, & Homework
- 40% Tests & Major Projects
As per the JECA Handbook, any student that displays no effort on an assignment/test during the initial attempt receives a 0 and is not eligible for retake.
ABSENCE/MAKE-UP WORK POLICY
If absent, the student should look at CANVAS first prior to contacting or speaking to the teacher to see what was missed in class. If there are still questions, the student is expected to contact the teacher upon returning to school. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements to obtain all missed agendas, class notes, assignments, etc. when absent. Students have three calendar days (weekend included) to submit make up work for a grade.
MISSING ASSIGNMENTS/LATE WORK POLICY
All work is due to the instructor at the time it is asked for. Missing assignments are the number one reason for low grades. Parents and students are expected to do everything possible to turn in all required work when due. All work, including homework, is due to the teacher by the assigned deadline. Late work must be received by the teacher no later than the next class meeting, and the maximum possible grade for a late assignment is 70. If the late work is not submitted by the next class meeting, then the assignment grade will be a zero (0). The “0” will be accompanied with an “M” in the notes section of the gradebook. The assignment must still be completed and turned in for the instructor to verify evidence of mastery, even when the student does not earn points for a grade.
College Prep does not typically assign homework. The teacher will provide adequate time for completion of assignments/tasks/projects during class. However, if an assignment is not finished within the time allotted by the teacher, the student is expected to finish the work during his/her own time.
Major projects and essays will be accepted up to TWO DAYS late, if submitted to the teacher with the following DEDUCTIONS on the project’s/essay’s final grade:
- Turned in on due date at any time after the assignment deadline/collection – 10 points
- Turned in the very next school day after the due date – 10 points
- Turned in two school days after the due date – 20 points
- Three or more school days after the due date – Grade recorded as a ZERO
If sufficient time is given in class to complete projects or essays, this clause does not apply. Projects cannot be redone for a higher grade.
MAKEUP TEST POLICY
If Absent on a day of a test, it is the student’s responsibility to contact his/her teacher upon returning to school, and make arrangements to complete the exam(s) missed. Tests must be made up within three school days from the day the exam was originally given. The student is solely responsible to acknowledge exam dates, which are provided by the teacher. Make-up exams will cover the same material but may be different in format from the original exam.
RE-TESTING POLICY
Any student scoring 69% or below on a test will be permitted to retake that test after fulfilling the retest requirements established by the teacher (see bulleted list below). It is the student’s responsibility to submit to the teacher a request for the reteach and the retest by email within five days of the posted grade. The retest will occur within five school days of the reteach. All retests will cover the same material but may be different in format from the original exam. The teacher’s specific requirements for reteach and retest are described below. A student in grades 9-12 shall receive no higher than a 75 if mastery is demonstrated. Reteaching and re-testing will not be permitted when students have received major grades for products that result from an extended process, such as research papers and projects.
Retest Requirements:
- The student will submit a request via email within five days after grade is posted to online gradebook
- The student will write a half page to one-page typed reflection (in MLA format) regarding the performance in the assessment. The following questions should be addressed:
- Why was the score below expectations?
- What could you have done differently?
- What is your plan to improve this current situation?
- What are some specific strategies to ensure that this does not happen again?
- The student will make corrections on the assessment.
- The student will meet with teacher to schedule a reteach session. The student must bring typed reflection and corrections at this time
- Teacher will provide re-testing date/instructions during reteach session.
STANDARD M.L.A. HEADING
Students will use an MLA-style heading for all assignments. Heading should be on the upper left side of the paper.
Student First and Last Name
Instructor’s Name (Dr., Mr., Ms., Miss, or Mrs.______)
Subject
Date (11 August 2024)
OTHER GENERAL STUDENT HANDBOOK POLICIES & EXPECTATIONS
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Electronics usage is not allowed during the school day in the academic building, UNLESS a classroom teacher authorizes their use in class. The unauthorized use of electronics in the academic building may result in a fee, and the device will be returned to the parent. See Student Handbook.
Due to safety concerns, the use of any electronic device for the purposes of capturing digital images or video is strictly prohibited anywhere, and at any time, on JECA property. Absolutely no video recording without Administrative approval is permitted on campus. Violations of this policy, anywhere, or at any time, may result in immediate confiscation of the device and further disciplinary action.
CHROMEBOOKS
Chromebooks/tablets/laptop computers need to be charged BEFORE the student comes to class. It is an expectation for the student to bring the charger. Students will not be released to go get a charger from the lab. Failure to follow directions will result in consequences.
Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, only Judson ISD-issued devices will be allowed to connect to the Judson ISD Wifi. Students who choose to bring their own devices will not be able to access the Judson ISD Wifi/network; however, the college may allow connectivity to these devices on their end.
SEMESTER EXAMS & SPRING EXEMPTION POLICY
Semester exams are NOT assessments that can be retaken for grade improvement. All JECA students are given sufficient time to review concepts and material that will be covered on the semester exam and have access to tutorial opportunities throughout the week.
Semester exams will NOT be given prior to the scheduled test date. Any student who misses one or more Semester exams is responsible for scheduling a make-up testing session with the teacher.
Student Expectations during Final Exam Week
- Students are to report to all classes on time for attendance.
- Students who do not have an exam during a period must report to their testing location for attendance. Students are then to report to the Commons for the remainder of the exam time.
- All seniors will report to the College Prep Teacher for attendance and then execute their assigned duties in accordance with administrative directives. Seniors should plan on becoming involved with a variety of events such as, but not limited to: internships, campus and district end-of-year school close out procedures, work-study programs, mentoring underclassmen, etc.
Final Exam Exemption Policy
A semester/final exam counts for 10% of the overall semester grade. If a student is exempted from the final exam, the semester grade will be the average of the 3rd and 4th nine-week reporting periods. JECA’s Final Exam Exemption policy applies only to second semester exams. The “grade earned” for exemption purposes is the average of the 3rd Nine Weeks and the most recent progress report grade. Under the exemption policy, attendance is cumulative, and absences do not “reset” at the end of the first semester. If a student has an absence during the first semester, it is included in the absence count for the final exam exemption. The College Prep final exam may not be exempted.
The student must be present on campus during the exam period, even if exempt from the final exam. If the student is absent during the exam period (exempt or not), then the student earns a zero and must make up the exam.
Grade Earned Maximum Number of Absences
≥ 90 0 absences
≥ 92 1 absence
≥ 94 2 absences
For Exemption Purposes:
- Two tardies count as one absence.
- Unexcused Absences (U), Absent with a parent note (APN), and any other absences not identified below as "NOT counted" count as absences against the total.
- Medical absences (listed as an "M"), with documentation from a physician, are NOT counted as a student absence when determining exemption eligibility.
- Excused school absences NOT counted as a student absence when determining exemption eligibility.
- Field Trip (FT), Testing (TE), Official College Visits (CV), Religious Holidays (RH)
- Any office discipline referrals disqualify the student for exemptions
- All fines and charge balances must be paid in full prior to exam week, to include ID Charges.
- The student must report to class for attendance and will then be released to the Commons when exempt from an exam.
- If the final exam is a group project, the student will be required to complete the exam but will be given extra credit points added to the final grade.
All exemption forms must be signed by a parent/guardian first. Teachers will not sign exemption forms that do not have a parent/guardian signature first. Students must request exemption from specific exams, and student eligibility to exempt requested exams will be verified. Students must meet and maintain the exemption criteria until the exam is administered or eligibility for the exemption in the course is revoked.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s mastery of the instructional materials; therefore, the student and parent should make every effort to avoid unnecessary absences. Two state laws apply – one dealing with compulsory attendance, the other with attendance for a student’s final grade or course credit. By law, in order for a student to receive credit for a class he/she must be present 90% of the time per semester.
Students are counted present if they arrive on time. Students who arrive between 1 to 15 minutes after the bell rings will be counted as tardy. Students who arrive to class more than 15 minutes late, will be counted as absent.
JECA students are expected to monitor their attendance in Skyward weekly. In the event a student feels an error in attendance reporting has occurred, a correction request email must be submitted to their teacher no later than one week after the attendance date in question has posted in Skyward.
NLC Attendance:
NLC allows students to miss no more than 3 days of instruction in each course. Students can be withdrawn from the course due to insufficient attendance. A student must be dually enrolled at JECA and at NLC in order to stay in the program; therefore, if a student is academically dismissed from NLC, the student will be dismissed from JECA and must return to the assigned high school in his/her attendance zone.
ATTENDANCE: ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY
In order to uphold the JECA Mission of “Prepar[ing] students for Academic and Future Success, Support the Growth of Students,” and mirror the rigor, discipline and expectations of Universities in regards to Attendance, the college prep instructor may, at times, use Attendance as a grade in connection to a class task/activity. The philosophy behind this practice is to mirror what professors do in college settings.
FOOD & BEVERAGE POLICY
Beverages and food items should be consumed in the Commons; however, beverages and/or food may be consumed in the classroom with the teacher’s permission ONLY. All containers are subject to inspection. This is a privilege and can be revoked at any time. The instructor allows water bottles with a lid that can be closed. Any other types of drinks brought into the classroom require the instructor’s permission (i.e. Starbucks containers).
AFTERSCHOOL SUPERVISION
As stated in the student handbook, the class sponsor will stay afterschool with students for 15 minutes after the event ends in order for the parent to pick up students. After this time, students will report to the NLC Library and wait for parent pick up.
COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS
Community Service Hours are due to college prep teacher by the third Friday in April for a test grade. These are required hours for graduation. National Honor Society Honors do not count towards the required community service hours for graduation. These hours will be recorded by the student using the official JECA Community Service Hours form. This form needs to be signed by the official sponsor of the eve
SCHOLARSHIPS DISCLAIMER
Scholarships available for students in grade 9-11 are very rare . The application for scholarships will happen during senior year; however, if the instructor becomes aware of any scholarship available for underclassmen, the student will be notified in class and/or via email. It is not the college prep instructor’s responsibility to get the student scholarships or money for college: the instructor will provide information and teach the skills for the students to apply to, pursue and complete these scholarship applications, but it is the student’s and the parent’s responsibility to apply for these. The “Big Fish” Scholarships that cover a large percentage of tuition are offered by colleges and universities during the students’ senior year. In order to be eligible for these scholarships, however, the student has to have a healthy GPA and good academic standing at JECA and NLC. With this in mind,, it is critical for the student to start working on their academic standing from the beginning of their Freshman Year.
The students will keep original syllabus in their possession as a reference, but they will turn in the signed page below to the teacher on the specified due date.
Teacher-Parent-Student Contract
By signing this, I acknowledge have read and understood the 2023-2024 College Prep II syllabus and expectations.
Please return ONLY this page of the syllabus. If you have questions regarding this information, please contact the instructor at cmartinmcdaniel@judsonisd.org .
PARENT SECTION
___________________________________________ _______________________
Printed Name of Parent/Guardian Date
____________________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian
__________________________________________ ________________________________
Parent Phone 1 (circle one: work, home, cell) Parent Phone 2 (circle one: work, home, cell)
_______________________________________
Parent email address
STUDENT SECTION
____________________________________________ _______________________
Printed Name of Student Date
__________________________________________
Signature of Student
Return this page signed on or before Friday, September 1, 202