Cheryl Willard - Lee College

REQUIREMENTS:
1. QEP Assessments. In compliance with Lee College’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP),
pre- and post-testing of reading and critical thinking skills is required. The California
Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) and the Nelson Denny Reading Test are the
assessments that will be used. You will be given an appointment with the testing center
for their administration. If it is impossible for you to take the test at the assigned time,
you will need to make arrangements with the testing center for another time and let me
know what arrangements have been made. The pre-tests must be taken no later than
Friday, Feb. 2 nd . The same set-up will apply to the post-tests which must be taken
between Mon., April 16 th and Friday, May 4 th . These tests are required for this course
and failure to take them during the specified times will result in your being withdrawn
from the course. However, please be assured that your grade will in no way be
affected by your scores on these tests. In addition, another short survey, called the
Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE) will be administered during
class sometime during the course of the semester.
2. Exams: Four exams will be administered during the course, one following each unit of
material. Exams will be both multiple-choice and essay, and will cover both lecture and
chapter assignments. A study guide will be provided for each test for the purpose of
helping to focus your attention on important concepts, terms, and theories.
Students are required to take all four tests. If an emergency arises that prevents class
attendance on exam day, make-up exams can only be taken the week before finals. It is
the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the instructor if an exam is missed.
Failure to take an exam will result in a “0” for that particular test.
3. Critical Thinking and Active Learning Exercises. Learning occurs best when you are
actively engaged with the subject matter. Consequently, several critical thinking and
hands-on exercises are built into the course. Some will be conducted in class and some
will be take-home assignments. Points will be earned for both. Points earned for the inclass
activities CANNOT BE MADE UP if you are absent or late to class. The take-home
assignments must be turned in by their due dates. Late assignments will not be accepted.
4. Attendance, Tardiness, and Withdrawal. Class attendance is an important part of your
learning experience and is therefore expected. Research shows that one of the best
predictors of grades is regular class attendance. In addition to missing out on lectures and
class discussion, your grade may also be affected by excessive absences and tardies
because you may miss out on active learning points which cannot be “made-up” at a later
time. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to inquire about any assignments that
were given on that day.
If you decide to drop the course, it is your responsibility to complete a drop form and
turn it in at the Lee College records office prior to the drop deadline of Thurs., April 13 th .
If you simply quit coming to class and do not complete the drop form, a grade of “F” will
be received. At the instructor’s discretion, you may be dropped for nonattendance after
three unexcused absences. If you arrive late to class, it is your responsibility to let the
instructor know at the end of class that you are present. Otherwise, you will be counted
as being absent.
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