Instructors’ Guide and Helpful Hints

Review your academic engagement policy on the first class day.

·          Explain to students in positive terms the importance of class participation and attendance and how it will benefit them. We know that students who attend class regularly earn higher grades and are more likely to be successful in their academic endeavors.

·          Inform students of your expectations for class participation and attendance

·          Clearly define consequences for academic disengagement.

·          Clearly define your policy for missed assignments or making up work.

·          Let students know why class attendance and academic engagement is tracked.

·          Let students know that you and the University of South Carolina care. Tracking attendance will help to notify you if issues or concerns arise.

Creating Academic Responsibility Instructor Steps

The following are steps to take following signs of academic disengagement and will aid in the CAR Process:

Some signs of disengagement include: Class Absences, Frequent Tardiness (more than five minutes), Lack of Class Participation, Lack of Class Preparation (e.g. homework, assigned reading, or test scores), or Sudden or Extreme Change in Performance.

After Second Sign: Initiate a conversation with the student in person or by phone. E-mail is recommended to use as a last resort.

The purpose of the intervention will be three-fold: 

1. Let the student know that his/her disengagement was noticed. 

 Students will realize they can't slip through the cracks or be invisible in your class.  This will also let them know someone cares about them.

2. Emphasize the importance of class attendance and engagement in being 
       successful academically. 

       This would be a good opportunity to reiterate your expectations regarding the student’s taking initiative to make up missed work, as well as to assess whether the student has also been missing other classes.

3. Assess whether there are other personal/health/relationship issues or
       concerns going on in the student's life, serve as a sounding board for the student, and
       then determine whether the situation necessitates a referral to another campus resource.

After Third Sign: Notify the student and CAR:

1.   Remind the student of the grading penalties associated with academic disengagement.  

2.   Complete the CAR Referral Form.  CAR Responders will address the situation on a case by case basis. 

After Fourth Sign:  Notify the student and CAR:

Note: If you are teaching University 101, you have the option of delaying the grading penalty for excessive absences when students attend the Creating Academic Responsibility (CARs) Session also linked from this site