Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center

Pickaway-ross Career & Technology Center

2012-2013 Adult Education Student Handbook

Adult Education Student Handbook

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Pickaway-Ross JVSD Board Of Education

Byron M. Lloyd (President), Daniel Bradhurst (Vice-President), Ben C. Vanhorn (Treasurer), Marilyn Carnes, Darrell Cottrill, Randy Drewyor, Richard Everman, Jeff Hartmus, Bob Bower, Steve Mullins, Todd Stevens, Byron Welch

Adult Education Administration

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Dennis L. Franks (Superintendent), Carrie Fife (Director)

Program Managers

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Marie Barada (ABLE/Assessment), Marie Bridenbaugh (Marketing/B&I Assessment), Julie Bolen (Programming), Steve Dix (Operations), Faye Vermillion (Health Occupations)

Instructors/Staff

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Philosophy

The employment demands of our modern technological society and the needs and interests of adults demand educational programs designed to prepare persons for productive citizenship in the world of work. Adults must be prepared to accept changes and challenges in their chosen vocations and to possess the necessary skills to adapt to new requirements and demands of their vocational endeavor throughout life.

The Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center assumes the responsibility of preparing adults in the area of skill training. It also provides the opportunity for adults who are already employed to advance in their chosen vocation and retrain those who are temporarily unemployed.

Since its inception, the Center has striven to meet the diverse needs if its citizenry. The Center endorses the tenants of Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and PL-94-482, Section 503. Programs and services are available without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, or disability.

The Center is mindful of the fact that for millions of Americans, entry into vocational schools can make the difference between well-paying jobs or the unemployment lines. Therefore, the Center will strive continuously to extend opportunities to those it serves on a non-discriminatory basis.

We proudly join ranks with the many fine educational institutions in Pickaway and Ross counties in full cooperation to provide a truly comprehensive educational program for adults of the area.

Objectives

The general objectives of the Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center
are as follows:

• To provide activities that will enable adults to become competent and employable in an occupational skill.
• To provide instruction in areas of knowledge related to a clients’ training program, which will permit each person to progress on the job and enable them to upgrade their skills.
• To help adults in their attempts to become increasingly successful persons economically, socially, and personally.
• To provide an educational setting that attests to the belief in the worth of every individual and attaches dignity to all socially useful labor.

History

The Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center opened in September 1974 with programs in Business Education, Trade and Industry, Agriculture, and Home Economics. The major emphasis in 1974 was secondary training with short-term evening classes for adults.

The Adult Education program has grown steadily since 1974 and now serves approximately 5,000 adults annually in various courses and activities. The full-time programs now offered include, both full-time and part-time options available in the areas of business, technology, industry, trade, and healthcare.

The School

Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center is a state and local supported institution offering post high school education in full-time program areas as well as other specialized courses and services. Certificates are issued to students completing a program or course.

Adult vocational education programs allow students to prepare for a new career or upgrade their present skills in their current job. Students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience through well-equipped laboratories that provide up-to-date “hands-on” experience.

Campus and Facilities

The Pickaway Ross Career & Technology Center has approximately 160,000 square feet of floor space. An adult education wing was completed in 1989. The center has over 25 modern equipped labs and over 30 related classrooms with a maximum capacity of 25 students each. A large multimedia area is available for faculty and student use and houses a variety of audiovisual equipment and library materials. A cafeteria is also available for adult students during daytime hours. Health Occupations programming is conducted at our Circleville location at 424 E.Mound Street.

Use of PRCTC Property

Students are not permitted to use any office equipment, phones etc. without permission of PRCTC staff.

Visitors

To minimize class disruptions, the following guidelines will be utilized for ALL school visitors:

• With the exception of relatives, no visitors will be allowed to see students unless it is an extreme emergency.
• Relatives of students will be allowed to meet with the student at the Reception Center or in the Director’s Office.
• A visitor to see staff personnel will be admitted only upon contacting and gaining approval from the individual staff member.
• All visitors must sign-in and sign-out of the building.

Students should not bring children or other relatives to class. Childcare is not available at the Career Center. In general, students should not have any visitors during class time. The Director of Adult Education may grant visitor permission on an emergency only basis.

Equipment

The school has approximately 100 Dell computers with internet access, televisions with VCR/DVD players, video conferencing equipment, overhead projectors and PowerPoint projectors. There are fully equipped labs in the medical, computer, trade and public safety areas as well.

Accreditation and Affiliation

The Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center is accredited by the Ohio Department of Education, Division of Vocational Education, for Secondary and Post-Secondary Vocational Education Programs. The Center has received full accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Individual programs boast additional accreditations and affiliations as appropriate.

Admission Requirements

The Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center maintains an “open admission” policy which states that any person with a high school diploma or GED test certificate may enroll in a full-time adult education program or course for courses of 600 hours or more. Upon payment of the required fees, students will be admitted on a first come, first serve basis as long as there is space available and testing indicates probable success in the program. Some individual programs have additional entrance requirements. The Adult Director will make the final decision in the admission of all students.

Applicants without a high school diploma or GED test certificate are encouraged to participate in ABLE and/or GED test preparation or high school credit program. Upon successful completion of the GED test certification, applicants are encouraged to re-apply in full-time programs.

The center does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or disadvantaged status, and adheres to affirmative action policies.

Fees and Tuition

See the Course Catalog for specific fees and tuition costs as each course varies.

Refund Policy

In the event a student withdraws, is terminated, or drops out of his or her program of training, tuition costs and related educational fees and expenses are subject to refund pursuant to the following policy:

Tuition Refunds for Career Development Courses –

Programs Requiring Payment of Non-Refundable Deposits:

There is no refund of the non-refundable deposit.

Except as noted below, tuition refunds will be prorated based upon the amount of tuition paid over and above the non-refundable deposit and the percentage of the total program hours completed.

NOTE:There is no refund of tuition for students who have completed more than 60% of the total program hours.

Programs Not Requiring Payment of Non-Refundable Deposits:

Except as noted below, tuition refunds will be prorated based upon the percentage of the total program hours completed.

NOTE: There is no refund of tuition for students who have completed more than 60% of the total program hours.

Tuition Refunds for Career Enhancement and Personal Enrichment Courses –

Except as noted below, tuition refunds will be prorated based upon the percentage of the total program hours completed.

NOTE:There is no refund of tuition for students who have completed more than 60% of the total program hours.

Refunds of Program Related Educational Fees and Expenses –

Registration Fees – No Refund

Books (Health Technology Courses) – No Refund

Books (Non-Health Technology Courses) – No Refunds for books used during the term.

If approved by the program’s Manager, unused books which the school can reuse may be turned back in for credit or refund.

Tools - No Refunds for tools used during the term.

If approved by the program’s Manager, unused tools which the school can reuse may be turned back in for credit or refund.

Uniforms, Testing, and Supplies – No Refund

*** PRCTC reserves the right to modify this policy at anytime***

Class Schedule and Calendar

See the Course Catalog for the class times and calendar dates as each program varies.

Registration

Registration may be completed in person with payment by check, money order, Master Card, or VISA only. Cash will be accepted between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M., Monday through Friday in the Treasurer’s Office. The Adult Education Office is open Monday through Friday during normal business hours.

To be officially registered, a student must complete an application form, present a copy of their high school diploma/transcript, any post high school training or GED test certificate and pay the tuition and related charges or arrange a payment plan at the time of registration.

Students requesting financial aid will need to coordinate their registration through the student services staff.

In courses with limited enrollments, students who have paid will be admitted first until the class is filled. Agency sponsored applicants will be considered enrolled upon mutual agreement between the school and the funding agency.

Students registered in a full-time or certificated program are required to take the WorkKeys assessments in the skill areas of Applied Math, Locating Information and Reading for Information.

Program Fees

The fees listed in the course catalog have been established based on several factors including the cost of instruction. A person is not considered to be officially registered until all fees are paid or arrangement has been made for financial aid through the financial aid office. The tuition fees do not include the books and other required supplies.

Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act

In Compliance with the Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act, notebooks containing the following documents are located in the Superintendent’s Office, Adult Receptionist Office, Adult Director’s Office, Secondary Director’s Office, and/or Adult Education Financial Aid Office:

Board Policy Substitute Handbook Procedures

Administrative Handbook Procedures Orientation Flier and Reporting

Handbooks Annual Reports

Secondary Student and Staff Procedures Campus Security Reports

Adult Student and Staff Handbook Procedures Graduate Follow-up Study

Financial Aid

Financial Aid for Students at The Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center is available from a variety of sources. A student must be accepted for admission before the processing of a financial aid application. To be eligible, a student must be enrolled in a full-time program that is 600 or more clock hours in length. Funds received under the Pell Grant or Stafford Loan Programs must be used only for educational expenses. Full details about financial aid are available from the Financial Aid/Enrollment Technician.

Pell Grant: Federally funded, non-repayable grants that are awarded based on financial need. Eligibility is based on family income for the preceding tax year and any student is eligible to apply. Applications are available on-line or at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Assistance is available in completing application forms. After attendance and in class and grades are verified, PRCTC requests payment from the government. It takes a while to complete the payment process but checks are issued quarterly in arrears. Students must maintain a “C” average and 2.0 GPA, and a 90% attendance record in order to receive Pell Grant payments.

(BVR) Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation: Financial assistance from this agency is for students with disabilities. Students who are approved may be covered for tuition, books, and other fees. Students who think they are eligible should contact the local BVR office at 614-466-4575.

Stafford Loans: Students must apply for a Pell Grant before they can receive Stafford funds. Loan checks may be delayed if there is a question about the satisfactory progress or attendance (C average, 90% attendance). Loan checks may be credited against a student’s outstanding bills. Dependent students may receive up to $3500 subsidized loan and $2000 unsubsidized; Independent students $3500 subsidized, $6000 unsubsidized.

(A) The Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan is a need-based loan for which the interest is paid by the government while the student is in school at least half-time. The Office of Financial Aid determines eligibility using federal government guidelines.

(B) The Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is a loan that does not require financial need. However, total financial aid, which includes the unsubsidized loan, cannot exceed the cost of education. Unlike the subsidized Stafford loan, interest accrues while the student is attending school and can be paid monthly or capitalized (added to the principal) until the student leaves school. The Office of Financial Aid determines eligibility using federal government guidelines.

Federal Parent Plus Loan (PLU S): Parents can borrow funds to cover educational costs for their dependent students. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours and meet minimum Ability to Benefit criteria. Interest is fixed at 8.5% for loans disbursed after July 1, 2006.

Repayment begins when the loan is fully disbursed, with the first payment generally due within 60 days. There is no financial need required to be eligible. However, the total financial aid cannot exceed the cost of education. The applicant’s credit history will be evaluated in determining loan eligibility. Apply online for the Parent Plus loan at www.owens.edu/financial _aid.

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA): Eligibility is based on being certified as a dislocated worker. A dislocated worker is a person who has lost his/her job due to termination, lay-off, or plant closure related to foreign trade. Application is made through the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services. If approved for training, a student’s tuition, books, supplies, etc. may be covered plus the receipt of unemployment compensation.

Veteran’s Benefits: PRCTC does participate in Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, ie. G.I. Bills, etc. The student must submit to the Financial Aid office a copy of his or her “Certificate of Eligibility” letter to verify eligibility for benefits and their case number. The Financial Aid office will submit an Enrollment Certification to Dept. of Veterans Affairs to verify the student has started classed.

Please allow up to 11-13 weeks to start receiving benefits. The benefits will be sent directly to the student; therefore, it is the student’s responsibility to pay tuition. Note: Credit for previous training will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Department of Job and Family Services Individual Training Accounts (WIA): Eligibility and approval is determined by the local Department of Job & Family Services for students determined to be unemployed, underemployed or dislocated workers. To find the number for services in your county, please call 1-877-852-0010.

Assessment Services

Career assessments are available to individuals who want to learn more about the types of occupations that match their interests, skills and values. Students will be referred for career assessments as needed.

Counseling Service

The Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center has employees available to provide various services including (1) the recruitment, orientation and selection of students, (2) career development guidance, (3) assistance to any student who may be having academic and/or personal problems, (4) instructor support regarding students’ needs, (5) specialized testing, and (6) other related services. Students needing any services not available on campus may be referred to an agency for further assistance.

Placement Services

The Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center has employees available to provide job placement assistance to completers of full-time career development programs. Assistance may include help with resumes, cover letters, job seeking skills, interviewing skills and job leads.