School Of Education -- Specific Policies

The following policies are specific to the School of Education. For information on university-wide policies, refer to the University and Academic Policies page.

• Attendance
• Format for Student Work
• Grading
• Portfolio Requirement
• Academic Progress and Review Policy (including Academic Probation)

For Faculty: Policy Statements for Course Syllabi

School of Education Graduate Programs Attendance Policy

Faculty members reserve the right, in consultation with their academic program directors, to set specific attendance requirements for their courses, which may include no absences. This applies to all models of delivery, including institutes, residencies, workshops, etc. As part of their syllabus, faculty members establish expectations regarding family or medical emergency and "milestone" circumstances that may necessitate student absence from class. Absence from class diminishes the learning community and may have an adverse effect on a student's grade.

In setting their attendance requirements, faculty members will be guided by the following standards:

Weekly Model:

If a student is absent for more than six (6) hours of class time, the academic consequences will be determined according to the policies of the academic program in which the student is enrolled. Missing more than nine (9) hours of weekly class meetings will result in a grade of administrative withdrawal (AW) on the student's transcript. For courses with a grade of AW, no credit and no tuition refund will be given.

Weekend Model:

When missing any class time up to the equivalent of one (1) full day over the two weekends, students are responsible for contacting the faculty member in advance (or as soon as possible afterward) to discuss the nature of the family or medical emergency or "milestone" circumstance. The faculty member will determine whether the course attendance expectations will permit makeup work and/or whether there may be an adverse effect on the final grade. Missing more than the equivalent of one (1) full day over the two weekends will result in a grade of administrative withdrawal (AW) on the student's transcript. For courses with a grade of AW, no credit and no tuition refunds will be given.

Serious family or medical emergency and significant "milestone" circumstances may warrant exception to these requirements and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the appropriate academic unit personnel. The faculty member has full discretion regarding students making up assignments missed, including those completed in and out of class, as well as specific course content (e.g., videos, reflections, discussion, readings, etc.).

Creative Arts in Learning Programs:

Upon joining an Integrated Teaching Through the Arts (ITA) cohort, you become a member of a learning group. You will find that the group experience provides you with a tremendous support system, a rich learning environment, and a long lasting network of colleagues to learn with and from. You are expected to enroll in all classes offered for your group and to attend all scheduled class meetings. In special situations, follow these guidelines:

I. If missing any class time you must seek approval from your Faculty Academic Advisor first, at least one week in advance, They will then notify the course instructor of the approved missed time. Once permission is granted, arrangements for make-up work will be made with the faculty on an individual basis.

II. If missing class for more than 8 hours (one full day), submit a written request for an alternative arrangement directly to the Faculty Academic Advisor at least 8 weeks prior to the start of class. The following criteria apply to approval for either an Independent Study or taking a course at another location: birth or adoption of a child, death of a family member, medical/surgical situations, mandatory professional obligations, weddings involving immediate family, and graduation of parent, child, or spouse.

Field Programs:

Students attending field programs that are delivered as integrated curricula occurring all day and almost evenings may not miss more than 10 percent of their program. For instance, if the program is seventy (70) days they may miss seven (7) days. Missing more than the equivalent of 10 percent of the semester will result in a grade of administrative withdrawal (AW) on the student's transcript. The student will then need to repeat the semester and repay tuition. Serious family or medical emergency and significant "milestone" circumstances may warrant exception to these requirements and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the appropriate academic unit personnel.

Online Programs:

The flexibility of online courses allows students to complete assignments and participate in collaborative work from wherever there is a reliable Internet connection. In an online environment, "attendance" in courses that are either fully or partially delivered online is typically measured by the quality and frequency of the posts in the online discussion forums. As online courses are designed to be interactive, often with assignments that require group work, a student's absence from these discussion forums for more than a few days may prevent that student from maintaining the level of interaction that is required for success in the course.

The university acknowledges that on occasion, students may have legitimate reasons for missing class. However, it is important to realize that while some assignments might be submitted after a due date, discussion postings cannot be "made up." If a student knows that she/he will be offline for a week or more, the student must contact the instructor before the start of a course to discuss possible options for completing required work. Given the highly interactive design of an online course, options to make up required discussion boards or collaborative assignments may be severely limited. In this case, a student should consider taking the course at a later time.

Students should be aware that being offline for a week or more, without prior approval from the instructor, may result in no credit for the week's discussion boards or collaborative assignments. For lengthier absences, an administrative withdrawal (AW) from the course may be warranted. For courses with a grade of AW, no course credit and no tuition refund will be given.

Official Format for Student Work

The Lesley University School of Education has adopted the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th Edition [2001] as the official format for student papers, citations, and bibliographies, effective September 2001. The School of Education will not accept other publication guidelines, such as the Modern Language Association. Students are encouraged to obtain a personal copy of the APA's 5th Edition for the first course in their program of study. The Ludcke Library APA page also provides helpful information on APA guidelines.

School of Education Grading Policy

A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher is necessary for graduate-level graduation eligibility. Grades submitted by faculty to the Registrar's Office are considered to be final grades. On-campus grades are generally posted within ten (10) working days of the end of the semester. Grade reports are currently mailed to students at the end of each semester; as this may change, please also use your Lesley online information service to check for your grades.

School of Education Portfolio Requirement

Students in licensure programs are expected to develop a portfolio to document their growth during the period of their professional preparation. Students in initial teaching licensure programs should plan to collect and reflect upon at least one item from each course for inclusion in their portfolio. Details about the portfolio process at Lesley are presented in the Portfolio Guidelines for Initial Licensure booklet [pdf]. The process is also discussed in EEDUC 5146, Issues in American Schooling, the introductory course for several programs, as part of an introductory course in the Creative Arts in Learning program (GARED 6110, Arts and Education: History and Philosophy), in ESPED 5100, Special Needs: An Inclusive Perspective, at posted meetings each semester, and on videotape available on reserve at the Kresge Center. Questions regarding portfolios may be directed to Dr. Arlyn Roffman, Portfolio Advisor, at aroffman@lesley.edu.

The portfolio is an assessment tool for the student and his/her professors, and by the end of the program will provide concrete proof that the student has met the required state standards for teacher licensure. It is a two-phase process. In Phase I, students collect course items and other materials to add to the portfolio, and write reflections on progress. Phase II is the completion period, where students refine and complete their portfolios, which will also include further reflections and future goals. The practicum seminar leader will read and evaluate completed portfolios. If a student's portfolio is not satisfactory, he/she will be given an opportunity to revise the work and

Academic Progress and Review Policy for Lesley Graduate Students

The faculty of Lesley University is dedicated to providing graduate students a high-quality educational experience designed to meet students' academic, personal and professional goals. In turn, the University expects students to maintain the academic and professional standards established for its programs of study. These standards apply to all aspects of graduate programs of study, whether on-campus, off-campus or on-line, and including courses, internships, practica, and research-related activities. Each School reserves the right to suspend or dismiss at any time any student who, in the opinion of School officials, does not achieve and maintain required academic or professional standards. In case of dismissal students remain responsible for any outstanding financial obligation to the University for tuition or other indebtedness.

Failure to meet these standards may result from, but not be limited to, such deficiencies as: more than three (3) credits of "C+" or below or "F" in pass/fail courses six (6) credits of incompletes (INC) poor performance in theses, integrative projects, practica or internships or specific deficiencies in areas deemed essential to the student's preparation.

Academic Notification
If a student is not meeting program academic or professional standards, then the division in which the student is matriculated will initiate an intervention designed to assist the student, that may lead to an academic review process. The following describes the academic review process:

Level I Academic Review Committee
An academic review committee meets with the student (in person or via teleconference), and may include a faculty member, the student's academic advisor and the division or program director. The committee will review the student's progress in the program and the areas of concern. After careful review, the committee will make recommendations to address these concerns. The recommendations will be forwarded to the Dean of the School or his or her designee, who will inform the student in writing within ten (10) working days. The committee may recommend probation with specific conditions or dismissal. (The Dean or designee will contact the Senior Associate Registrar to request a "hold" on the student's registration should it be recommended by the Review committee.)

Level II Appeal to the Dean
If the student disagrees with the recommendations and believes that there is additional information that was not available to the committee and therefore not considered by the committee, she/he may submit this information in writing to the Dean within ten (10) working days of receipt of the recommendations. The Dean of the School will review the recommendations of the committee and all documentation considered by the committee. The Dean will notify the student and the committee of her/his decision within ten (10) working days, excluding holidays and Lesley University vacation days.

Level III Appeal to the Provost
A student may appeal the decision of the Dean if she/he disagrees with the decision and if she/he can demonstrate the availability of new information or evidence that is potentially significant and was not available during the investigation. Student appeals must be submitted in writing to the Provost within ten (10) working days of receipt of the decision of the Dean. In consideration of the appeal, the Provost will review all documentation and, as deemed necessary by the Provost, consult with the student, appropriate faculty and administrators. The Provost will render a decision within ten (10) working days, excluding holidays and Lesley University vacation days. The decision of the Provost is final within Lesley University, and there is no further appeal available.

Meeting the Conditions of Probation
When the student has met the specified conditions outlined in the Dean's letter the division will notify the Dean to lift probation status. If the student does not meet the conditions within the specified time frame, the division may recommend another review.

(Approved July 2005, revised June 2006)

For Faculty: Lesley University and School of Education Policy Statements (to be added to course syllabi)

Academic Integrity Policy

Academic honesty and integrity are essential to the existence and growth of an academic community. Each member of the Lesley community is charged with honoring and upholding the University's policy. Students are full members of the academic community and, as such, are obligated to uphold the University's standards for academic integrity. Students should take an active role in encouraging others to respect these standards, and should become familiar with Lesley's policy.  The policy details students' roles and responsibilities, and provides examples of violations (including information about failing to document sources, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication or falsification of data, multiple submissions of work, abuse of academic materials, complicity/unauthorized assistance, lying/tampering/theft, etc.). The complete policy can be found on the Lesley University policies web page.

Portfolio Development

Students in licensure programs are expected to engage in development of a portfolio to document their growth during the period of their professional preparation.  Students in initial teaching licensure programs should plan to collect and reflect upon at least one item from each course for inclusion in their portfolio.  Details about the portfolio process at Lesley are presented in the portfolio Guidelines for Initial Licensure booklet that may be downloaded from the Lesley website.   The process is also discussed in EEDUC 5146, “Issues in American Schooling,” the introductory course for Early Childhood and Elementary programs; as part of GARED 6110, “Arts and Education: History and Philosophy” an introductory course in the Creative Arts in Learning program; in ESPED 5100, “Special Needs:  An Inclusive Perspective,”  in Special Education programs, and in EEDUC 6203, “Principles of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment in the Inclusive Secondary Classroom,” in Middle School and High School programs; at posted meetings each semester; and on a videotape available at the Kresge Center. Questions may also be directed to Dr. Arlyn Roffman, Portfolio Advisor, at 617.349.8995 (aroffman@lesley.edu). Students in the Reading Specialist program will receive detailed information regarding the portfolio in their practicum seminar.

Disability Services for Students

Lesley University is committed to ensuring that all qualified students with disabilities are afforded an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from its programs and services. To receive accommodations, a student must have a documented disability as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and provide documentation of the disability. Eligibility for reasonable accommodations will be based on the documentation provided. If you are a student with a documented disability, or feel that you may have a disability, please contact:

For on-campus students with learning disabilities or attention disorders: 
Maureen Riley, Director of Academic LD/ADD Services
23 Mellen St., 5th floor, Office 504
617.349.8464 (voice)   617.349.8558 (fax)
mriley@lesley.edu

For on-campus students with physical, sensory, or psychiatric disabilities, and off-campus students with learning disabilities, attention disorders, or physical, sensory, or psychiatric disabilities:
Laura J. Patey, Coordinator of Disability Services for Students
23 Mellen St., 3rd floor, Office 313
617.349.8194 (voice)  617.349.8544 (TTY)   617.349.8558 (fax)
lpatey@lesley.edu

Attendance Policy

The academic integrity of our programs depends on students attending all scheduled class meetings. Students should discuss with faculty, in advance, any portion of a class meeting they cannot attend. Absence from class may be reflected in the student's grade. The complete attendance policy may be found at: http://www.lesley.edu/soe/soe-policies.html#attendance

Official Format for Student Work

All School of Education students must use APA format for students papers, citations, and bibliographies. The complete SOE policy may be found at http://www.lesley.edu/soe/soe-policies.html#format.