San Jose Middle College @ San Jose City College > Current Students > Academic Expectations

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

How can we ensure the academic success of San Jose Middle College high school students?

Background: San Jose Middle College students are sometimes at-risk students when they arrive. The smaller program size will help enable both students and parents to receive more personal attention. However, a clear policy on what constitutes success should be presented to students and parents, and a support network should be instituted to assist those students who need a little extra help in meeting their academic goals.

Elements of a Good Academic Support Program:

·         Policy is clear and easy to understand. Students and parents are informed of the policy, and periodically reminded.

·         A strong, student-focused school climate is fostered by all school members.

·         Early identification of failing academic performance is crucial to providing additional support to the student.

·         A mandatory “get well” program to assist students in achieving more success. Once success is being achieved again, a student can “graduate” out of the “get well” program.

·         Use a transition program to ease first-semester students into the new school environment.

o   This program should address education on how academic success will affect current and future career and job choice, and how additional academic support to ensure students feel successful can contribute to their success.

Policy and Penalties:

·         Students must adhere to the following standards in order to remain in the San Jose Middle College program:

o   Pass all high school classes with a D or better

o   Pass at least two college classes [6 units or more] with a C- or better

·         Parents will receive a letter notifying them of the possible exclusion of their parent from the San Jose Middle College program if the standards are not met.

School Climate:

·         A school climate must be fostered that makes academic success a desirable goal for all students. Failure to succeed should be not considered a desired state, and no reinforcement of this idea should be tolerated.

Identification of Failing Academic Performance:

·         The following will be considered warning signs of academic failure:

o   Failing any high school or college class

o   Withdrawal from a college class without prior staff consent

Transition Program:

·         The transition program will address issues of time management, stress management, and personal responsibility to promote academic success. It is described elsewhere.