Grading Policy
• Daily class participation/homework 5% • Lab assignments 10% • Skills and comprehension 85% *Students will receive progress reports weekly. *
Grading
(A) – Excellent Work (B) – Good Work (C) – Average Work (Student moves on to next level) (D) – Poor (Made effort but must repeat Course)
(F) – Failure (Must repeat course) (I) – Incomplete
A grade of “I” indicates incomplete work resulting from illness or other unavoidable circumstances. To be eligible to receive an “I” student must have completed at least 75 percent of the work required for the course in question during the original term of enrollment. To receive an “I” a student must enter into a contact with the instructor of the course regarding the work that is to be completed and the grade that the student will receive in the event that the work is not completed. The remaining work must normally be completed within six months unless the student and instructor have agreed to a longer period of completion. Instructors have a right to submit any grade at anytime to replace an “I” grade, including a grade of “F”. Students who receive an “I” grade should not re-enroll for the class unless they are terminating the incomplete agreement and wish to start over with a new section of the class. In this case the student is urged to contact the original instructor to request release from the incomplete agreement. An “I” grade not changed by the instructor to a grade of completion (A, B, C, D or F) by the end of the six months will automatically be changed to “F”.
Satisfactory Progress
Students enrolled at IWA are required to maintain satisfactory progress toward completing all of the modules of IWA curriculum in order to obtain a certificate of completion. Satisfactory progress as defined by IWA mandates that all students must complete any welding course with an 84% overall completion rate. Detailed below is the criteria used by IWA to measure student achievement.
Progress Evaluation
Each student will be reviewed weekly on their competency of welding knowledge, class participation, homework completion and demonstrated ability to complete all welding lab assignments. Students will receive progress evaluations each week throughout the course and may meet with IWA Instructors to discuss the notes and/or comments of their instructor in order to improve on their performance. Students who disagree with progress evaluation may do so by writing their concerns down and submitting them to the IWA Director for resolution in accordance with the grievance policy of IWA.
Probation Policy
Students not making satisfactory progress at midpoint shall be placed on probation for the remainder of the progress evaluation period. If the student does not achieve satisfactory progress by the end of the probationary period,the student’s enrollment shall be terminated. During probation students will have to meet with their instructor each day 10 minutes prior to class to establish definitive goals to accomplish during that school day, and also will be required to meet with their instructor for 10 minutes at the conclusion of the school day to review the days’ agenda.During these meetings students will be assessed on their aptitude to follow and complete each day’s assignments along with their level of interest for the course. Unsatisfactory progress resulting in termination students on probation who fail and/or refuse to complete any part of the corrective action necessary to receive a satisfactory progress evaluation will be terminated from IWA. • Unsatisfactory progress may also consist of any students’ failure to follow the safety rules of IWA that may result in other students being placed at considerable risk of bodily harm.• Students possessing any lawful substances on the campus of IWA will also be terminated and may be referred to the appropriate authorities for prosecution where warranted.During termination students are not allowed to be on the premises of IWA unless prior request and/or notification are given by the faculty of IWA. Students terminated for unsatisfactory progress cannot be readmitted until a minimum of one grading period has passed. Prior to being re-admitted to IWA, all terminated students must attend a meeting with the following persons present: IWA Director, IWA Instructor and Designated IWA Student Liaison (to be determined at the discretion of the Director prior to the meeting).
Progress Reports
Progress reports are passed out every Thursday at the conclusion of each class. Students should review their reports and be prepared to implement any suggestions the following Monday at the beginning of the class week.Progress reports are also available for sponsors every Thursday. Sponsors requesting progress reports should call IWA business office to inquire. Incomplete, withdrawals and repeat courses under the title 40, Texas Administrative Code section132.061 (f) a student who is obligated for the full tuition may request an “incomplete” status if the student withdraws for an appropriate reason unrelated to the student’s academic status. A student receiving incomplete status may re-enroll in the Course during the 12 month period without payment of additional tuition.
School Calendar
Classes start every Monday upon space availability.Courses end every six weeks from start date for 6 weeks courses and every two weeks from start date for 2 week courses, excluding holidays.Closed all major holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Admission Policy
Individual must meet with staff personnel. Be at least 17years of age (applicants under the age of 18 must provide written permission from a parent or legal guardian in order to enroll). No high school diploma or GED required.However, a basic skill test will be administered to determine skill and functioning level. Student must score at least a 9th grade level.
Re-admission Policy
Students may re-enter academy as long as they left in good standing and are able to maintain standards of acceptable behavior as defined by the academy. Students terminated for violation of attendance may re enroll after six weeks.
Attendance Policy
All courses are very intensive and therefore students’ full attention is required during class. Students will be terminated if he/she fails to attend class for more than25% of the total course hours or if he/she fails to return as scheduled from an approved leave of absence.Students whose enrollments are terminated for violation of the attendance policy may not reenter until a minimum of one grading period has passed. Students who are terminated must attend a meeting with the following persons present: IWA Director, IWA Instructor and Designated IWA Student Liaison (to be determined at the discretion of the Director prior to the meeting).
Conduct Policy Prohibited Student Conduct –conduct for which students are subject to dismissal includes but is not limited to:
• Any behavior that is Disruptive to the educational process
• Misuse of IWA Facilities
• False Information – furnishing false information, forging,unauthorized altering or misusing of any document,record or instrument of identification, withholding information from the academy, falsely claiming to represent the academy.
• Theft of or Damage to Property
• Violent, Threatening, or Intimidating Behavior
• Weapons – possession or use of unauthorized firearms or other weapons.
• Discrimination or Harassment – discriminating or harassing conduct.
• Alcoholic Beverage and Illegal Substances – using,selling, or possessing alcoholic beverages or
• controlled substances or being under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances on academy property
• Threat of physical harm such as physical abuse, sexual assault or coercion, harassment and intimidation,whether physical, verbal (oral or written) or nonverbal.Students whose enrollments are terminated for violation of the conduct policy may not reenter until a minimum of one grading period has passed. Students who are terminated must attend a meeting with the following persons present: IWA Director, IWA Instructor and Designated IWA Student Liaison (to be determined at the discretion of the Director prior to the meeting).
Cancellation Policy
Applicants may cancel their enrollment in person or in writing before the beginning of classes. A 100% refund will be made to any student who cancels the enrollment contract within 72 hours (excluding, Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) after the enrollment contract is signed and a tour of the facilities and inspection of the equipment is made by the prospective student.
Refund Policy
IWA’s refund policy is governed and implented as follows:
- Refund computations are based on schduled clock hours of class attendance througn the last day of attendance.
- Leave of absences, suspensions and school holidays will not be counted as part of class attendance.
- The effective date of termination for refund purposes will be the earliest of the following:
(a) The last day of attendance, if the student is terminated by the school;
(b) The date of receipt of written notice from the student; or
(c) Ten school days following the last date of attendance.
If tuition and fees are collected in advance of entrance, and if after expiration of the 72 hour cancellation privilege the student does not enter school, not more than $100.00 in non-refundable administrative fees shall be retained by the school for the entire program.
Any student who enters a residence program and withdraws or is otherwise terminated, the school or college may retain not more than $100.00 in nonrefundable administrative fees for the entire program. The minimum refund of the remaining tuition and fees will be the pro rata portion of the tuition, fees and other charges that the number of hours remaining in the portion of the course for which the student has been charged after the effective date of termination bears to the total number of hours in the portion of the course for which the student has been charged, except that a student may not collect a refund if the student has completed 75% or more of the total number of hours in the portion of the program for which the student has been charged on the effective date of termination.
Refund for books, tools or other supplies should be handled separately from refund of tuition and other academic fees. The student will not be required to purchase instructional supplies, book and tools until such time as these materials are required. Once the materials are purchased, no refund will be made.
A student who withdraws for a reason unrelated to the student’s academic status after 75% completion mark and request a grade at the time of withdrawal shall be given a grade of “incomplete” and permitted to re-enroll in the course or program during the 12-month periods following the date the student withdrew without payment of additional tuition for that portion of the course or program. A full refund of all tuition and fees is due and refundable in each of the following cases:
(a) An enrollee is not accepted by the school; (b) If the course of instruction is discontinued by the school and this prevents the student from completing course; or
(c) If the student’s enrollment was procured as a result of misrepresentation in advertising, promotional materials or the school or representations by the owner or representatives of the school.
Full or partial refund may also be due in other circumstances of program deficiencies or violations of requirements for career schools and colleges.
Refund Policy for Active Military Service Student
A student who withdraws from IWA as a result of the student being called to active duty in a military service of the United States or the Texas National Guard may elect one of the following options for each course in which the student is enrolled:
• if the tuition and fees are collected in advance of the withdrawal, a pro-rated refund of any tuition, fees or other charges paid by the student for the Course and cancellation of any unpaid tuition, fees or other charges owed by the student for the portion of the course the student doesn’t not complete following withdrawal;
• a record of incomplete with the designation“withdrawn-military: for the course in the program,other than coursed for which the student has previously received record of attendance and the right to re-enroll in the course, or substantially equivalent course if that course is no longer available, not later than the first anniversary of the date the student is discharged from active military duty without payment of additional tuition, fees or other charges for the course other than any previously unpaid balance of the original tuition, fees, and charges for the books for the course; or
• The assignment of an appropriate credit for any courses in the program, but only if the instructor or instructors of the program determine that the student has: satisfactorily completed 90% of the required coursework for the program; and demonstrated sufficient mastery of the program material to receive credit for completing the course. **All refunds will be totally consummated within 60calendar days after the effective date of termination. **
Payment Plan
Students may opt to pay tuition and fees on the installment plan. This plan allows a student to pay 50% of total tuition and fees at enrollment and the remaining tuition and fees in five equal installments thereafter. The installments will be due every Monday. A non refundable $20 fee is assessed at the time the installment plan is executed. Any student failing to make the2nd or 3rd installment plan is subject to fines/penalties, withdrawals for non-payment and may forfeit credit for courses. If a student is withdrawn for nonpayment,all tuition, fees, fines and penalties are collected along with a $100 reinstatement fee before course grades are assigned. Reinstatement may be granted through the end of the following term.The installment plan is a legally binding contract. Installment plans are available at the beginning of registration.
Grievance Policy
If you have any issues you which to address or any suggestions on how we can improve our services please contact the Instructor. Contact can be made in person or by e-mail and/or fax. The instructor will do their level best to address your issue(s) within 3 working days.In the event the instructor is not able to address the issue or it is not handled to the student’s satisfaction, the student may raise the issue to the Director by e-mail and/or fax. The Director will meet with the student within 3 business days upon receiving the e-mail and/or fax to investigate the issue at hand. Please provide a detailed description of the issue(s) you wish to have the Director to address. Any unresolved issue(s) may be directed to: Texas Workforce Commission Career Schools and Colleges, Room 104T101 East 15th Street Austin, Texas 78778-0001
Service Denial Policy
Industrial Welding Academy has the right to deny or revoke any student that pose a safety threat to other students or employees of the training facility.
Alcohol and Drug Policy
Industrial Welding Academy forbids the use, unlawful possession, distribution of alcoholic beverages, intoxicants, hallucinogenics, or material by students and employees on facility owned or leased property which might produce effects which alter the mental processes or normal physical functions.
Student Complaint Policy
Industrial Welding Academy has a certificate of approval from The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
The TWC-assigned school number S3564.
The school’s programs are approved by TWC, as well as Workforce Solutions.
Students must address their concerns about the school or an educational program by following the grievance process outlined in the school’s catalog.
Students dissatisfied with the school’s response to their complaint can file a formal complaint with TWC, as well as with Workforce Solutions, if applicable.
Information on filing a complaint with TWC can be found on its Career Schools and College Website at http://csc.twc.state.tx.us.