Graduation Requirements  R-7241 

7200     ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND PROGRESS
7240     Graduation Requirements                                                                         

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1.0 Mathematics Competency

1.1 Students may fulfill the District's mathematics competency graduation requirement for the Associate Degree by any one of the following:

1.1.1 Successful completion of a normed and standardized mathematics test used district-wide for graduation competency.

1.1.1.1 The mathematics test selected in consultation with the mathematics faculty, and uniform within the District will be the only test used. Competency test scores from outside the District will not be accepted.

1.1.1.2 The test can be taken no more than four times in any two year period and no more than twice in a semester or once during the Summer session. Forms are alternated for those who fail.

1.1.1.3     The test will be based upon the following standards:

1.)     Topics from arithmetic including arithmetic computational skills involving the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponents, and percent.

2.)     Topics from algebra including:

 - simplifying expressions involving fractions, radicals, and exponents;
 - solving equations and systems of equations;
 - equations of lines and graphing lines;
 - manipulating formulas;
 - solving application problems;

3.)     Ability to read and interpret data from a table, chart, or graph

1.1.2     Completion of MATH 100, Elementary Algebra; MATH 102/104, Elementary Algebra, Part II; MATH 105, Basic Algebra with Applications; STAT 300/301, Introduction to Probability and Statistics; STAT 480/481, Introduction to Probability and Statistics-Honors; PHIL 325, Introduction to Symbolic Logic (ARC only); CISP 340, Fortran Programming; CISP 342, Structured Programming with FORTRAN; PSYC 330, Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences; AT 105, Mathematics for Automotive Technology; WELD 140, Mathematics for Welding Technicians; ET 310, Mathematics for DC Circuit Fundamentals, Part I and ET 311, Mathematics for AC Circuit Fundamentals, Part II; ET 315, Mathematics for Semiconductor Theory or any higher level District mathematics course with a grade of "C" or better. 

1.1.3     Completion of an equivalent college math course taken at a regionally accredited college in the United States with a grade of "C" or better. Any course whose acceptability is in question shall be reviewed by the college math department based on the competency standards set forth above in section 1.1.1.3.

1.1.4     Completion of an appropriate substitute course.

    1.1.4.1     A request for a course substitution will be initiated by a written request by the student to the Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSP&S) Coordinator/Counselor. The request shall include:

1.)     the outline of the course requested to serve as a valid substitute,
2.)     documentation by a DSP&S Coordinator/Counselor that the disability affects the student's ability to process math;
3.)     documentation that the required math course is peripheral to the student's course of study (If the student changes his/her major, any course substitution previously granted will be reevaluated); and
4.)     documentation demonstrating the number of times the student has made earnest attempts to complete the required Los Rios mathematics course, using all recommended resources and appropriate accommodations.

1.1.4.2     A Course Substitutions Committee will meet up to three times each semester as needed, to review and act on requests. The Committee will be composed of:

1.)     Appropriate DSP&S Coordinator/Counselor (Committee Chair)
2.)     Appropriate Disabilities Coordinator/Counselor
3.)     Math Department Dean
4.)     Math Department Spokesperson
5.)     Two additional math faculty
6.)     One additional faculty from the student's major

1.1.4.3     A course substitution shall not be granted unless the review demonstrates that:

1.)     a learning disability, documented by a DSP&S Coordinator/Counselor, affects the student's ability to process math; and
2.)     the required math course is peripheral to the student's course of study; and
3.)     the student has made an earnest attempt to complete the math course, using all recommended resources and appropriate accommodations.

1.1.4.4     The Committee Chair shall provide to the student a written summary of the review within five working days of the review.

1.1.4.5     A student may appeal denial of a course substitution by submitting a written request which includes new documentation or information, to the Section 504/ADA Compliance Officer no later than seven instructional days after issuance of the Committee's decision pursuant to the process outlined in Regulation 2731, Section 2.4. The decision of the Compliance Officer shall be final.

2.0 Writing Competency

2.1     Students may fulfill the District's writing competency requirement for the Associate Degree by either of the following:

2.1.1     Passing with a grade of "C" or better, one of the following courses: ENGWR 300, College Composition; ENGWR 100/101, College Writing; ENGWR 124, Writing for the Corrections Officer; ENGWR 103, Practical Communication; ESLW 340, Advanced Composition; ESLW 210, Advanced Career Writing; BUS 310, Business Communications; MET 220/TECH 103, Technical Communications. 

2.1.2     Passing an equivalent college writing course taken at a regionally accredited college in the United States with a grade of "C" or better. This course must satisfy the graduation requirements at that specific college. If the counselor is unable to make a determination, the dean in conjunction with the department chair/spokesperson or another full-time faculty member in the discipline will decide. Acceptability will be based upon the following competency standards: 

2.1.2.1    The ability to generate ideas about which to write; 

2.1.2.2    The ability to formulate a single statement that clearly expresses the central idea of one's writing; 

2.1.2.3    The ability to construct a paragraph that develops and supports the paragraph's main idea with examples or reasons within the context of an essay. 

2.1.2.4    The ability to organize paragraphs into an essay which is clearly structured, coherent, and unified; 

2.1.2.5    The ability to write sentences that vary in structure and are correctly punctuated; 

2.1.2.6    The ability to write sentences with precise and appropriate words, to distinguish between literal and figurative use of language, and to avoid inappropriate jargon and cliché; 

2.1.2.7    The ability to present one's own ideas as related to, but clearly distinguished from, the ideas of others, which includes the ability to avoid plagiarism and may include the ability to document sources; 

2.1.2.8    The ability to support one's opinions and conclusions with evidence; 

2.1.2.9    The ability to use reference materials as an aid in writing;

2.1.2.10    The ability to produce a finished paper that is relatively free from errors; 

2.1.2.11    The ability to read, comprehend, summarize, and respond in writing to college level reading material; 

2.1.2.12    The ability to respond to a prompt in class and produce an adequate timed essay. 

2.1.3     Showing proof of an Associate Degree or higher completed at a college accredited through a CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation) recognized regional accrediting agency located within the United States.

3.0 Reading Competency

3.1     Students may fulfill the District's reading competency requirement for the Associate Degree in any one of the following ways:

3.1.1     Achieving a satisfactory reading competency score on a normed and standardized reading test used for placement.  The competency score is determined through the collaboration of the assessment office and the reading department at each college.

3.1.1.1     Students shall be allowed two attempts to demonstrate competency through testing, unless it is subsequently determined that a student was improperly denied accommodations required pursuant to a verified disability, in which case, the student will be allowed one additional attempt with appropriate accommodations.

3.1.1.2     The assessment center on each campus shall administer the tests at announced times.

3.1.1.3     Tests taken outside the District shall not be accepted.

3.1.2     Passing with a grade of  "C" or better in ENGRD 112, Critical Reading; ENGRD 115, Technical Reading; ENGRD 310, Analytical and Speed Reading; ENGRD 312, Academic Textbook Reading; or ESLR 340, Advanced Reading Skills through Literature.

3.1.3     These regulations take into consideration the full catalogue rights of students, as stated in the catalogue at each college.

3.1.4    Passing an equivalent college reading course taken at a regionally accredited college in the United States, with a grade of  "C" or better. The acceptability of a course taken outside the District will be determined by a committee consisting of the reading department spokesperson and one other full-time reading faculty, based on the following standards:

3.1.4.1     Using context clues, structural analysis, etymology, a glossary and/or a dictionary to unlock the meaning of unfamiliar words;

3.1.4.2     Identifying thesis statements, stated or implied, in college level reading non-fictional material;

3.1.4.3     Identifying setting, themes, plot, characterization and author's style in college-level reading.

3.1.4.4     Differentiating between major and minor points and recognizing patterns of development.

3.1.4.5     Using the following reading strategies to interpret and evaluate what is read: making inferences; distinguishing fact and opinion; recognizing generalizations; identifying tone, bias judgment, style and author's purpose; understanding and using levels of abstraction; developing tolerance of ambiguity; identifying figurative and slanted language; and recognizing varied points of view.

3.1.4.6     Recognizing propaganda, assumptions, faulty analogies, non-sequiturs and other errors in reasoning; identifying inductive and deductive thought patterns; and judging the validity of arguments.

3.1.4.7     Developing reading study strategies such as skimming, scanning, textbook organization, textual tools, visual aids, note taking and summary writing.

3.1.4.8     Establishing appropriate reading rates, adjusted for purpose and level of material read, for college level materials, and demonstrating flexibility in reading rate.

3.1.5     Showing proof of an Associate Degree or higher completed at a college accredited in the United States.

4.0 Ethnic/Multicultural Studies

4.1     Students may fulfill the District's Ethnic/Multicultural Studies course requirement through completion of one 3 unit course. Significant and substantial elements of the course must examine multicultural matters as specified by the criteria below.

4.1.1     The course examines significant aspects of culture, contributions, and social experiences of under-represented ethnic/racial minority groups in the United States such as: African American, Asian American, Chicano, Latino, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans; Non-western, Non-Eurocentric cultures.

4.1.2     The course examines multiple groups, one of which may include European Americans and is comparative in nature.

4.1.3     The course should include analysis of ethnicity, ethnocentrism, and/or racism, and how they shape and explain ethnic experience.

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