Frequently Asked Questions
Assignments
Will there be outside assignment?
Periodically, but not every week! A few over the course of the year. Some will be optional, some will not.
When will assignments need to be handed in?
On time when they are asked for! You will lose points if they are late.
What needs to be on each assignment?
Must have learner’s name, phone, location, class name and date turned in. For example: John Smith, 874-XXXX, Delta, Biology, September 8, 2017.
Attendance
Learners are encouraged to attend every session for the full school year of 32 weeks. Absences require excuse from parents, guardian etc.
Attendance will be taken at each class.
Attitude
Polite, courteous, and respectful to one another and the instructor
Course jokes and making fun of one another is not acceptable
Ridiculing, making fun of people (even in a textbook) or their ideas is also not acceptable
Certificate
Instructor will provide a certificate at the end of the school year verifying learner’s full name, name of class completed, duration of class, date issued, grade and total in-class hours spent on subject for those learners who successfully complete the requirements
Classroom Etiquette
Bell signals everyone be quiet
No horsing around (especially during labs)
Appropriate comments and questions encouraged when called on by raising hands
Codes of behavior as outlined in SJCHE and SPICE directories will be adhered to
Conduct in building
We are guests at the location where the classes are being held
We all are to clean up after every session, leaving the room and building in the same or
better condition than when we first arrived—Leave No Trace!
Only the specific classroom and bathrooms are open to the learners
No running in the building; exploring other areas will not be tolerated!
No skateboarding in or around building
Dismissal from class
Unacceptable or unsafe behavior
Disruptive to other learners
Immodest clothing (based on the instructor’s opinion)
Do we need to fill out a new Educator/Learner agreement each year?
Yes. We need a new one each year. First, some small or large bit of your info may have changed since last year. You may not remember that something has changed.
Second, the E/L agreement is class name, location and time specific. Each year you will be attending a new class. Yearly class files are kept “in tact” in case we would have to go back and research something particular to that year for you.
Duration
How long are the classes and labs?
General Science = 2 hrs total for class and lab; meets one time per week
Physical Science = 2 hrs & 15 min total for class and lab; meets one time/week
Biology = 3 hrs total for class and lab; meets one time per week
Chemistry = 3 hs total for class and lab; meets one time per week
Advanced Biology = 3 hrs total for class and lab; meets one time per week
How long is your regular school year?
All classes start and stop concurrently for 32 weeks
When do you begin classes?
Usually just before and right after Labor Day (to remain concurrent)
When do you end classes?
All end concurrently just before Memorial Day
How long do you keep class business files, records of grades and my personal info?
Likely we will keep hard copy files with grades for 3-4 years. After that they will be shredded.
Instructor-Parent Consultation available
If learner is struggling, falling behind, low grades, unbecoming attitude
Lab Time
Do your classes include lab time?
Yes! All classes offered include lab and/or demonstration time during part of each class
Learner’s Preparation
Read the text material prior to the topic being covered in a classroom/lab!
Bring all your necessary lab materials and equipment each week! (You lose points if you fail to bring items!)
Payment Policy
Tuition payment for each the semester is due before first day of class, unless arrangements are made in advance
Payments are nonrefundable!
No refunds will be given if a “snow” “flood” or other major-impact weather event occurs
Missed classes (for whatever reason) are not refundable
Parents’ Responsibility
Parents/guardian are to grade at-home, self-tests and on your own questions done
Parents will determine learner’s overall grade (instructor will provide input and info)
Parent will determine how and if to incorporate quiz scores into learner’s end of year grade (there are many possible ways to do this)
Parents and learner will calculate total number of hours spent on subject matter while at home
Participation and Questions encouraged
But relative to topic at hand!
Unsupervised children
Other family members, friends, etc may not be “dropped off” before or during the learner’s specified class time or otherwise “loiter” near the classroom area unless specific arrangements are made in advance
Quiz Grading
The in class quiz grade is based on following scale
A+ 97-100 B+ 87-89 C+ 77-79 D+ 67-69
A 94-96 B 84-86 C 74-76 D 64-66
A- 90-93 B- 80-83 C- 70-73 D- 60-63
Generally, Dr. Dan Korow will round up when a learner is borderline for their cumulative quiz grade for the semester if they have performed well, shown improvement and
they usually have displayed a heart to learn.
Quizzes
The quiz is a “learning tool” to reinforce material and help instructor gauge overall learner understanding
Quiz is on the “honor system”
Each week’s quiz will usually be 20 questions, but that may vary
Extra-credit questions may be available on some quizzes to improve grade
One quiz grade score (the lowest raw score) of first semester will be dropped