Satisfactory Progress Standards
Satisfactory Progress Standards
Each student has the responsibility for attending class and pursuing the objectives of each course that the student is officially enrolled.
Class Attendance and Course Progress
Regular and punctual class attendance at all scheduled classes is expected. Each faculty member will inform students of the attendance policy and the course objectives at the initial class meeting and in the course syllabus.
- Students are required to be in class on time. Instructors may choose to lower a student’s grade because of tardiness. Excessive tardiness is disruptive to the educational process and may result in disciplinary action. Due process and the right to appeal will be provided to students subject to disciplinary action.
- Only instructors can authorize an excused absence. Regardless of the reason for the absence, the student is responsible for completing all coursework covered during any absence.
- Failure to meet the attendance requirements in a course may result in a lower grade or failure in the course.
- Students enrolled in distance learning courses are expected to maintain constant progress throughout the course. Lack of progress or participation may result in a grade of “F.”
Absence/Participation Policy
Students are expected to actively participate in all courses at all times. Instructors are required to document attendance through the census date by requiring students to complete an academically related activity or to communicate extenuating circumstances to the instructor PRIOR to census. For face-to-face classroom courses the instructor has the discretion to use the student’s attendance in one or more class meetings in place of a graded activity to certify that the student is in class.
For blended or hybrid classes where the first class meeting is after the census, completion of a graded activity is still required.
For all courses, including competency-based, open entry lack of evidence of active study participation before the census may result in the student being dropped from the course and having to pay partial tuition and fees.
The census date is the day that CTC officially certifies with the State of Texas the number of enrollments in each credit course. This chart depicts the census date based on course length.
NOTE: Census dates are subject to change by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Length of Class in Weeks Census Date Last Date to Withdraw from a Class*
2 or less 1st Class Day 1½ Week
3 2nd Class Day 2¼ Week
4 3rd Class Day 3rd Week
5 4th Class Day 3¾ Week
6 4th Class Day 4½ Week
7 5th Class Day 5¼ Week
8 6th Class Day 6th Week
9 7th Class Day 6¾ Week
10** 7th Class Day 7th Week
12** 9th Class Day 9th Week
16** 12th Class Day 12th Week
*This information is to serve as a guide. Refer to the applicable semester Central Campus Enrollment Guide for actual dates of withdrawal. Schedule bulletins can be found at www.ctcd.edu/academics/class-schedules/.
**In the Summer Semesters, the official census date for classes taught 10 or more weeks is the 12th class day.
For all courses, including competency-based, open entry (self-paced), lack of evidence of active student participation before census may result in the student being dropped from the course and having to pay partial tuition and fees. For blended or hybrid classes where the first class meeting is after census, completion of a graded activity is still required.
After the census date, students wishing to withdraw must withdraw themselves through the CTC Central Records or Fort Hood Campus, Eagles on Call or Etrieve (online). Faculty are prohibited from withdrawing students from a course after census and instead will report a last date of attendance with final grade for students who stop attending or participating in class.
NOTE: For co-requisite classes a withdrawal/drop from one class will result in an automatic withdrawal/drop from the other co-requisite class.
Religious Holy Days
If you desire to be absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day, you must work with the instructor prior to the absence. You will be excused, without penalty, from classes or other activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose. However, you will be responsible for make-up of all work or examinations missed on the religious holy day on which the absence occurred. The instructor may respond appropriately if you fail to satisfactorily complete the assignment or examination. A “religious holy day” means a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under Section 11.20 of the Tax Code.
Failure to Maintain Satisfactory Progress
Readmissions or enrollment may be denied at any time a student fails to maintain satisfactory progress following an academic review by the appropriate Campus Dean. If a student is determined to be ineligible for continued enrollment or re-enrollment at Central Texas College, the student will be notified in writing of the action taken. A student denied enrollment may appeal the decision of the Campus Dean. The appeal must be submitted in writing within five (5) working days of notification. The appeal must be submitted to the office of the Deputy Chancellor responsible for the campus. The decision of the Deputy Chancellor will be final.
Excused Absence for a Person Called to Active Military Service
HB 1630 of the 79th Texas Legislature (updated by SB 937 of the 87th Texas Legislature) requires Texas public colleges and universities to grant excused absences for students who are called to required military service for a brief duration of service and who do not choose to withdraw. Required military service is defined as service in the armed forces of the United States, the National Guard, or the Texas State Guard including travel associated with the service. The maximum period for which a student may be excused can be no more than 25 percent of the total number of class meetings, excluding the final examination, for the specific course or courses that the student is currently enrolled at the beginning of the period of required military service. For students who enroll in distance learning courses or other asynchronous courses, a student may be excused if no more than 25 percent of the course is remaining. Students who are called to required military service for a brief duration of service are required to provide to the CTC Associate Dean, Admissions, Registration and Records office an original copy or notarized copy of their orders, which indicates that they have been called to required duty. Students are responsible for contacting each of their instructors prior to leaving for required duty so that they can discuss which assignments and/or exams need to be completed once they return and a reasonable time for completion. Students will be given a withdrawal grade of WT (Withdrawal Temporary).
Students who are called to required military service for a brief duration of service are required to provide to the CTC Associate Dean, Admissions, Registration and Records office an original copy or notarized copy of their orders, which indicates that they have been called to required duty. Students are responsible for contacting each of their instructors prior to leaving for required duty so that they can discuss which assignments and/or exams need to be completed once they return and a reasonable time for completion. Students will be given a withdrawal grade of WT (Withdrawal Temporary).
Upon returning from required duty, students must contact their instructor(s) and arrange for completing the remaining course requirements. Each faculty member has the right to issue a final grade based on coursework completed should students fail to satisfactorily complete the assignment(s) and/or examination(s) within the reasonable time designated by the instructor. Students who wish to dispute the institutional process regarding this policy will follow the informal grievance procedures outlined in the CTC Student Handbook. If the informal procedures do not resolve the grievance, then such students will follow the formal grievance procedures included in the CTC Student Handbook.
