Teaching Cooperative Guidelines

3.1      Absences

• Students are expected to attend all sessions, not only for their own benefit, but also for the benefit of others.
• There will be no make-up sessions following student absences.

• Students should check with the teacher about missed quizzes and assignments, in advance where possible.
• Parents should notify the teacher of any absence in advance whenever possible.

3.2      Academic Policy

• Students are expected to complete assignments in every class on time.
• Generally a student should expect to spend 4-8 hours of outside work for each week of class.
• Students will be given a 15 or 30 week syllabus for each class listing the basic assignment for each week.

3.3      Academic Assessment

• Parents and students will receive an assessment of the student’s progress, including adequacy of preparation and class participation.
• Parents can expect to receive immediate feedback about disruptive behavior, late or incomplete assignments.
• All student work receiving a grade or comments will be returned to the student in a timely manner.

• If a student is not growing according to his/her individual abilities, a conference may be scheduled between parents, teacher and student at their convenience to find ways to help.
• At the end of the semester, each tutor will give students a suggested grade for all work completed in the course. It is up to the parent to assign the final grade.

3.4      Admissions Policy

• At least one parent must subscribe to our Statement of Faith and be active in a local Christian fellowship.
• Parents must sign and uphold the Commitments from the Parents agreement.
• Students must sign the Student Commitment Form.
• Each family must be a member of HCCHS.
• Students must be at least 12 years old the first day of class.

3.5      Cell Phones, Beepers or Other Audio Equipment

• Cell phones, pagers, iPods, and other audio equipment must be turned off and put away during class.

3.6      Disciplinary Action

• In general students are expected to follow Jesus’ teaching found in Matthew 7:12—“In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you,” and the command to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
• As a general rule, the offender will be informed that the behavior is unacceptable and must not occur again.
• There will be no tolerance for any immoral, illegal, or unsafe conduct.  Conduct includes speech and behavior.
• Students are expected to immediately notify teachers of any unsafe or inappropriate behaviors.
• A student who is asked to leave is not entitled to any refund of tuition or fees.
• If necessary, the Parent Board will make decisions regarding student expulsion and its decision is final.

3.7      Facility Limits

• All families must sign a liability waiver.
• Limits will vary based on the facility and will include guidance on building use and designated areas including:
  • Entrance areas and off-limits areas
  • Classrooms
  • Restrooms and water fountains
  • Phone use
  • Eating and recreation areas

3.8      Guests

• Guests should not be brought to class without advance permission from the instructor.

3.9      Lost & Found

• We will announce location of lost and found based on the facility.
• We will dispose of unclaimed items after each semester.

3.10   Lunch

• Students should eat in the designated lunch area or outside.
• Students are expected to clean up after themselves.

3.11   Financial Commitments

• A $50 pre-registration or enrollment fee is paid to the tutor when a student signs up for a class.   This fee reserves a spot in the class for the student and is NON-REFUNDABLE should the student drop from the class before the semester begins.  Many instructors require a minimum class size to make a class.  The balance of the class tuition must be paid by the first day of class.   If a student withdraws after classes begin, the family is still financially responsible for the full tuition.
• Each family is required to pay a minimal facility fee per semester for utilities. The fee is due the first day of class each semester.
• By enrolling, you are agreeing to purchase the books and materials needed for the class and pay any other associated fees related to the course.
• Instructors are paid for their classroom and preparation time.  If your student requires additional assistance, you may ask a tutor for extra help, but please offer to pay their hourly tutorial rate.
• Refunds will only be made for extreme extenuating circumstances and require Board approval.
• Refunds will not be made in the event of expulsion for disciplinary action. (See Disciplinary Action policy).

3.12   Parent Board

• The Parent Board is a group of four couples who agree to serve as directors for the program.  Its purpose is to help define current policy and future direction.
• Board members serve a minimum of two years per term.
• One couple has responsibilities for Administration/Class Schedules; one couple has responsibilities for Facilities; one couple has responsibilities for Instructor Relations; and one couple has responsibilities for Communications.
• When Board members rotate off, parents are encouraged to give recommendations for new Board members; the Board will invite the new Board members to serve.

3.13   Personal Appearance

Parent and students are to work together to choose apparel that reflects the faith, conduct, and purity mentioned in 1 Timothy 4:12, 1 Corinthians 6:19.  We want students to be comfortable, but dress should not make others uncomfortable, draw attention to the student, or otherwise be a distraction.  Clothing should be modest, clean, neat, and properly worn.

3.14   Set-Up/Clean-Up

• Students may be assigned responsibilities each week to help with either set up or clean up.
• Students are expected to clean up after themselves. This applies to lunch areas, classrooms, and any other areas of the facility that are used.

3.15   Study Hall

A study hall room will be available for students who have a free period between classes.

The following guidelines apply:

• Students must be 14 years or older in order to participate in study hall.
• A student may sign up for no more than one study hall per semester and must do so at the beginning of each semester.
• A parent must be available to monitor on a rotating schedule as needed.
• Students must study quietly and not disturb others.  Once class begins there is to be no movement in and out of study hall.
• Anyone wishing to be present for study hall, must first notify the Facilities Parent Board Members (currently Matt & Sue Mosher).

4     Student Commitment

By God’s grace I will:

1. treat others as I want to be treated.
2. speak in a way that encourages others, avoiding gossip, coarse language and demeaning remarks.
3. accept full responsibility for all my work.
4. complete all assignments with integrity (that is, I will not get any unauthorized help from any source.)
5. will be accountable for my written work and seek to avoid plagiarism at all costs by giving proper credit to sources for ideas, content, knowledge, and words used in my work.
6. complete all assignments by their due dates.
7. dress modestly– (see Section 3.13 of the BRTC Guidelines).
8. respect and protect the property of others and, in particular, the church property where we meet.

 

I have read, understand, and agree to abide by the policies stated in the BRTC Guidelines.

 

 

 

Student’s Signature: _______________________________________ Date: _____________

 

Printed name:_______________________________________________________________

 

 

 

Parent’s Signature:  ________________________________________ Date: _____________

 

Printed name:________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

References:

• “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).
• “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).
• “Your adornment must not be merely external…but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God” (1 Peter 3:3).
• “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves…Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited” (Romans 12:16).

Parent Commitments

In order to best support all families, students, and tutors involved with the BRTC, parents will:

1. subscribe to the Statement of Faith and actively participate in a local Christian fellowship (at least one parent or guardian).
2. encourage and pray for BRTC instructors, students, and families.
3. refer to BRTC Guidelines as needed. Add corrections or additions as they are received. Make students are familiar with these guidelines by the first day of class.
4. become members of HCCHS.
5. work with students to ensure that co-op classes are a successful academic endeavor.
6. use written communication, such as email whenever possible.  Please make an appointment if time alone with a tutor is needed.  If a problem arises between a child and a instructor, the parent will encourage the student to deal directly with the instructor first. Most problems are the result of a misunderstanding and can be easily resolved by talking.  If a problem cannot be resolved between the instructor, student, and parents, contact the Administrative Board members (currently Jim and Laura Barbee).
7. uphold the mission of the Cooperative program and ensure that their child(ren) complies with the Student Commitment.
8. be responsible for their student’s  whereabouts when class is not in session.
9. read and support all policies stated in the Guidelines including the Disciplinary Action policy.  While disciplinary matters should be resolved between the parents and instructors, parents agree to abide by decisions of the Parent Board regarding disciplinary matters if intervention is necessary.
10. commit for the entire scheduled class, (whether the class lasts a semester or a year) and agree to pay for the course at the beginning of each semester.   Parents understand that there will be no refunds (except in extreme extenuating circumstances, as determined by the Parent Board).
11. sign up to monitor students’ presence at the church during co-op hours as requested.

 

 

 

Parent Signature ______________________________________  Date ___________________

 

 

Print Nate ___________________________________________________________________

5     Teacher Commitments

5.1      Syllabus/ Course Description

In general BRTC courses will run for either fifteen or thirty weeks. Each instructor is expected to provide parents and students with:

1. A general course description.
2. Course cost including special lab fees and any additional class fees.
3. A list of specific course objectives, including any student project, report or term paper requirements.
4. A detailed syllabus including daily meeting topics, homework and assessment policies,  and expected study hours outside of class time.
5. Prerequisites should be stated, along with any required pre-course assessment test.

5.2      Course Fees

• The class tuition will be set on a per course basis.
• Teachers are paid $50 as a pre-registration fee to hold a spot for the student with the balance due on or before the first day of class, including any additional class fees.
• Tutorial arrangements outside of class are between the parent and the teacher.
• The instructor is responsible for handling and collecting all course fees. (As a courtesy to the instructor, the BRTC board reserves the right to handle communications on past-due accounts.)

5.3      Communication

• Instructors will communicate with students outside of class via email and/or phone, and students are expected to initiate communication with the instructor when needed.

5.4      Assessment

Academic assessment provides parents and students feedback on the student’s progress in obtaining a solid understanding of the material.

• Parents and students may receive assessment in the following areas: student’s progress, record of attendance, adequacy of preparation and class participation.
• Parents will receive feedback about disruptive behavior, late or incomplete assignments.
• All student work receiving a grade or comments will be returned to the student in a timely manner.
• If the parent has any concerns, the instructor should be contacted.

5.5      Homework Assignments

• Students are expected to complete a significant amount of work outside of class; therefore regular homework assignments will be expected.

5.6      Class Meeting Times

• Tutorial sessions meet either once or twice a week.  Typical meeting length will be for 1 hour and 30 minutes per class.
• Class will begin on time even if students are late.
• Normally class will not be dismissed early.

5.7      Classroom Policies

• If a student is disruptive, a parent should be called to pick up the student.
• Instructor will abide by facility policies for food/drink in the classroom.
• Secondary doctrinal issues that arise should be referred to parents.
• Instructors should develop plans for a substitute when needed.

 

 

I have read and agree to abide by the Cooperative Guidelines and subscribe to the BRTC Statement of Faith.

 

 

 

________________________________________                __________________

Instructor Signature                                                                                                            Date

 

 

Printed Name:___________________________________________________________________