Student Handbook & Policies

Two federal laws prohibit the discrimination against students with disabilities. Those laws, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are similar in their requirements. They apply to all aspects of EDvance College’s operations, including academic programs, student services, and admissions. 
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In addition to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability, Section 504 and the ADA both impose an affirmative obligation on EDvance College to provide reasonable accommodations needed to ensure a student with a disability is able to participate fully and meaningfully at EDvance College - as long as those accommodations do not impose an undue burden on EDvance College, and/or fundamentally alter the nature of the program or service provided. 

EDvance College is committed to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion plus Belonging (JEDI + B). EDvance College strives to provide JEDI+B based support and services to all students, including those with disabilities.  It is the policy of EDvance College to make every reasonable effort to provide students with disabilities with the opportunity to take full advantage of EDvance College’s programs, activities, and services. The Early Childhood Studies Director does this, in part, by arranging reasonable accommodations for students. To request accommodations, a student with a disability provides the Early Childhood Studies Director with current documentation of the disability, the functional limitations resulting from the disability, and recommendations for accommodations. The Early Childhood Studies Director and the student will work together to identify appropriate and reasonable accommodations needed to fully participate at EDvance College. 

EDvance College has the right to establish qualifications and other essential standards and requirements for its courses, program, and services. All students are expected to meet these qualifications, standards and requirements, with or without reasonable accommodations.

This policy establishes the guidelines and standards for student grievances NOT involving harassment or discrimination, or challenges to student records. Prior to filing an informal or formal grievance, it is recommended that students reach out to a Student Success Advocate for assistance.

Academic Matters
1. Award of final grade (grade appeal) - Students may not appeal grading on individual assignments. Only the final grade in a course may be appealed.
2. An academic honesty violation charge - Academic Honesty Procedure.
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Non-Academic Grievances or Appeals
1. College determination that the student has violated a college rule or procedure.
2. College determination relating to the student's admission or readmission to the college.
3. College's withdrawal of a student from a course or a program for non-academic reasons.

EDvance College does not require entry exams, standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT, minimum grade requirements, or GPA for acceptance into the College.

Minimum Entrance Requirements
a. A high school diploma/GED for 4-Year Pathway students, or general education credits for 2-Year Pathway
b. Pass a background check, present a Certificate of Clearance from CTC, or CTC Credential (i.e. Substitute Permit, Child Development Permit, Multiple Subject Credential, etc.) to work with children,*requirement for BA in ECE program and required to continue to work with children during your time in the program.*

EDvance College has two entry points: 4-Year Pathway and 2-Year Pathway.

The eligibility requirements for each entry level are outlined below:
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4-Year Pathway
1. High school diploma or equivalent
2. Confirmation of ability to meet the 15-hour per week practice requirement
3. Pass background check to work with children

2-Year Pathway
1. Verification of Employment in an Early Childhood Setting working at least 15 hours per week
2. 60 units that meet EDvance College Transfer Requirements, of which the overall GPA for the transferable units must be a minimum of 2.0, all GE courses must be passed with a C or higher
A. 15 units must be in each of the General Education Areas shown in Table 2:Transfer GE Criteria and Definitions
B. 2 must be in ECE/CDEV:
a. Child Development
b. Child Family and Communities
c. 2 Elective Courses in Early Childhood Education  or Child Development (or related fields)

In alignment with our values, we strive to execute grading policies with academic integrity and equity. Policies concerning the evaluation of student work (grading) are under continuous review by faculty and academic governance. As such, grading policies and procedures are subject to revision. All updates will be communicated to students prior to any changes implemented. At the start of each semester, faculty and students will review the course expectations and grading policies. At this time, students will be given the opportunity to ask for explanations about the grading policies. Students are expected to communicate with their instructor and Student Success Advocates if they are experiencing difficulty meeting course expectations. While other forms of assessment will be incorporated into coursework, all credit courses will be taken for a formal letter grade.

Grading Scale

A 100 to 94.0%
A- < 94.0% to 90.0%
B+ < 89.9% to 87.0%
B < 86.9% to 84.0%
B- < 83.9% to 80.0%
C+ < 79.9% to 77.0%
C < 76.9% to 74.0%
C- < 739.% to 70.0%
D+ < 69.9% to 67.0%
D < 66.9% to 64.0%
D- < 63.9% to 61.0%
F < 60.9%

Credit hour refers to the amount of time spent engaged in a combination of learning activities to achieve student learning outcomes as evidenced by student achievement artifacts, which is typically measured in a standard amount of time per week throughout a term.
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EDvance College courses are categorized in three ways:
1. Content Courses–courses are knowledge-based, implementing a mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities
2. Writing Development Courses–courses are skill and competency-based, requiring a significant amount of synchronous support and collaborative learning
3. Community of Reflective Practice (CORP) Courses–courses are practice-based requiring a significant portion of time practicing in a supervised field setting

As a fully remote institution, EDvance College courses are designed using a combination of formats:
● synchronous learning (instructor-led)
● asynchronous learning (structured, self-directed learning)
● homework (unstructured, self-directed learning)
● reflective practice (field work)

A “Credit Hour” for the purposes of a remote institution of higher education, is defined as 15 hours of a combination of synchronous and/or asynchronous learning activities, which is equivalent to one semester unit.