Academic Standards Policy

ACADEMIC STANDARDS POLICY Classification:

Academic

Responsible:

Robertson Instructors, School Managers, Program Coordinators, Academic Team, and Teaching and Learning Team members

Executive Sponsor:

Vice-President, Product & Operations

Approval Authority:

Robertson Leadership Team

Date First Approved:

October 7, 2022

Date Last Reviewed:

N/A

Scheduled Review Date:

October 6, 2024 or as needed

A.

PURPOSE The Academic Standards Policy outlines the College’s academic standards and requirements. This Policy ensures clear and consistent practice across Robertson College Programs. This policy is applied in conjunction with individual program information and other academic policies, as indicated in section G.

B.

SCOPE This Policy applies to all programs at Robertson College with the exception of Micro-courses and includes certificate programs that are not regulated by Private Career Colleges, Alberta and The Private Vocational Institutions Branch, Manitoba.

C.

DEFINITIONS Term Course Outline

Definition The Course Outline is an official document that ensures students have accurate information

Grade

Methods of Evaluation

Licenced Program

Summative Assessment

D.

regarding course content, course requirements, and course expectations.

The mark assigned to a course that is based on the accumulated scores on the methods of evaluation for the course. Grades are recorded on a student’s transcript and are viewable in a student’s gradebook in Robertson’s Learning Management System, Brightspace.

The activities within a course that contribute toward the student’s summative assessment in the course. The student’s final grade is determined by evaluation methods based on the learning outcomes of the course.

This is a program that is approved and licenced by the Private Vocational Institutions Branch in Manitoba and/or the Private Career Colleges Branch in Alberta under the Private Vocational Training Acts and Regulations in Manitoba and Alberta.

Assessments used to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional lesson or module by comparing it against a set standard or criterion; summative assessment equates to a learners final grade in a course.

POLICY 1.

EVALUATION AND ASSESSMENT 1.1

The purpose of assessing and evaluating student achievement is to: a. identify the students’ level of knowledge, skills and abilities within the program based on course and program learning outcomes b. to ensure that the student has met the minimum educational learning outcomes for specific courses and programs

1.2

Assessment is a continuous process throughout all courses and programs.

1.3

1.4

1.5 1.6

Assessment may include the administering of projects, tests, oral quizzes, essays, group projects and other types of activities that demonstrate course and program learning outcomes.

All summative assessment activities and weighted contribution to the final grade must be included in the Course Outline with associated weights.

All grades are posted in the gradebook in Robertson’s Learning Management System, Brightspace Grade appeals must follow the Student Appeals Policy process.

2. MISSED ASSESSMENTS, EXTENSIONS AND REWRITES 2.1 2.2

2.3

2.4

Students are expected to meet scheduled assessment dates.

It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the process of writing a missed test/quiz or to request an extended deadline for an assessment.

Instructors are permitted to provide an extension up until two weeks after the last day of the course. Assignments submitted after this date will not be accepted and the student’s grade in the course will be calculated at this time and considered final.

2.3.1 Students may request a due date that extends beyond the two weeks after the course ends by completing the course extension form for the School of Business, Technology and Community Services. Approval is required from Robertson’s Academic Team for each approval request. Exemption requests may be denied for the following reasons: - If the failed course precedes the start of practicum. Learners must have their academics completed prior to starting practicum.

- If the failed course is a prerequisite for a course that follows immediately after.

Instructors will not assess late penalties on assessments that have been handed in after the due date, whether or not an extension has been granted. Students are encouraged to request extensions from the instructor if needed.

2.4.1 Exceptions to this policy are courses in accredited programs that have specific policies about late penalties and rewrites (ie. National Payroll Institution Courses) and programs that are in partnership with institutions whose policies supercede these ones (ie. Assiniboine Community College).

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2.4.2 2.5

3.

Information about these exceptions to the policy will be included in the course outline.

A student who does not achieve a passing grade of 70% in a course may be permitted to rewrite or redo an assessment at the discretion of the instructor, School Manager, or Lead, Academic Support for Robertson’s domestic programs (*This may differ for Robertson’s ACC programs). A rewrite can occur at any time during the course; it does not have to be at the end of the course. Rewrites may be attempted as follows: 2.5.1 Tests and Exams: Students may rewrite individual tests and exams one time.

2.5.2 Limits: Over the duration of a program, there is no limit to the number of individual exams, tests, or assignment rewrites.

There is a limit of one rewrite for each individual test, exam or assignment.

2.5.3 Written assessments: Can be re-written at the instructor’s discretion and with a clear timeline for the submission of the rewrite.

2.5.4 Grades: On all rewrites, the recorded grade will be the one that the student earns on the rewrite, or the higher of the two marks.

2.5.5 Exceptions to this policy may be courses in accredited programs that have specific policies about late penalties and rewrites (ie. National Payroll Institute courses) and programs that are in partnership with institutions whose policies supercede these ones (ie. Assiniboine Community College).

2.5.6 Information about these exceptions to the policy will be included in the course outline.

GRADING SCALE 3.1

Final cumulative grades for all courses are indicated as one of the following: 3.1.1 Percentage (0 - 100%) 3.1.2 Complete/Incomplete 3.1.3 Excellent, Good, Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory

3.2

Following are additional possible student standings for courses: 3.2.1

PL (Recognition of Prior Learning) which is awarded to a student for recognition of prior learning (HCA Alberta only)

3.2.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

C (Transfer Credit) which is awarded to a student for transfer of credit

The Program Average is calculated by dividing the total of all of the student’s grades in all courses by the number of courses (excluding the Practicum and courses that are marked “complete/incomplete”) As per the Graduation Requirements policy, a student must receive a program average of 70% or higher in order to meet the graduation requirements for the program.

3.4.1 It is not a requirement that a student receive 70% on each assessment in the course, as long as they receive over 70% as a final cumulative grade in the course.

3.4.2 A student does not need to submit all of the assessments in the course, as long as the final cumulative grade of the assessments submitted is 70% or higher.

3.4.3 Some assessments may be mandatory due to accreditation or regulatory requirements; any mandatory assessments will be indicated in the course outline.

As per the Graduation Requirements, a student must achieve a minimum standing of “Successfully Complete” in the practicum component of the program. For select programs, students must also complete the required practicum assignments.

4. PROGRESSION AND PROMOTION 4.1 To continue in a program, a student must achieve a minimum grade of 70% or ‘Complete’ in each individual course. Please note that required course grades may differ for accredited programs or those offered in partnership.

4.2 If a student does not achieve the minimum grade in a course (fails the course), they may continue in the next course in the program (with some exceptions related to course prerequisites; this information is provided on the course outlines) while the process in 4.3 takes place. *Please note that students who fail a prerequisite course in HCA AB may not proceed to the next course and may be withdrawn from the program.

4.3 Upon failure of a course (or more), one or a combination of the following process applies: a) The Learner Support team is alerted and will work with the student to support them in completing the course. b) The Learner Review Committee is alerted; the student will receive a formal letter from the Committee.

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c) The student may be withdrawn from the program (as per the Student Enrolment Contract Termination Policy).

5. TRANSCRIPTS AND TRANSCRIPT NOTATIONS 5.1 Students will receive an official transcript upon graduation from their program 5.2 The following transcript notations may appear on a student’s transcript: 5.2.1 PL (Recognition of Prior Learning) which indicates that a student has received recognition of prior learning for the credit 5.2.2 C (Transfer Credit) which indicates that a student has received a transfer credit for the course 5.2.3 Complete which indicates that a student has completed the requirement for this credit.

6. COURSE OUTLINES 6.1 Instructors are required to provide an updated course outline to students during the first class.

6.2 The course outline is provided in the course’s learning management system.

6.3 The course outline must include: a) course length b) course assessments c) assessment weights d) assessment due dates e) learning outcomes f) course schedule g) dates, times, and links for any virtual synchronous class sessions (if applicable) h) dates, times and locations for any on-site, hands on classes i) reference to the student guide as a source for college policy information 6.4 Changes to the course outline after the course begins must be communicated to all students in the course. The outline must be updated within the course offering in Brightspace.

7. ACADEMIC HONOURS 7.1 Students who have displayed academic excellence will be awarded the designation “With Honours” upon graduation.

7.2 To be eligible for academic honours, a student must have both

a) a minimum overall average percentage of 90%, and b) no individual course grade under 80%.

E.

RELATED LEGISLATION None

F.

PROCEDURE None

G.

RELATED POLICIES Academic Integrity Policy Admissions Policy Graduation Requirements Policy Program Voluntary Withdrawal Student Appeals Policy Student Code of Conduct Policy Student Enrolment Contract Termination Policy

H.

RELATED MATERIALS AND DOCUMENTATION Instructor Training Course Robertson Student Guide Extension Request form - Schools of Business, Technology, and Community Services

Approved: October 7, 2022 Approved by: Robertson Leadership Team Signatures:

Terena Caryk VP, Product and Operations

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Belinda Loschiavo VP, International and Special Projects

Jason Locke VP, Business Development