INSTRUCTIONAL

Getting Started in the Classroom

Course Outline and Textbook

The course outline is the official document that has been approved by the Cerritos College Board of Trustees and must be adhered to by the instructor. Ask your Dean or Department Chair for the course outline and textbook information for courses you are teaching after acceptance of employment. The required hours for lecture, lecture/laboratory per semester are stated in the course outline.
Course Syllabus
The syllabus should provide students with information about course expectations. Instructors are required to prepare a syllabus for each course taught. The syllabus should provide information about assignments, grading, attendance and department procedures, student learning outcomes and objectives, etc., in detail. Distribute the syllabus during the first class meeting.

Download a syllabus sample

Recommended information to be included in the syllabus:
- Course title
- Course number
- Number of units
- Day, time, and place of class meetings
- Instructor's name
- Office location
- Office hours
- At least one method of contacting you (phone, email)
- A brief description of the course
- Required and recommended materials and the location of the materials
- Course goals, objectives, student learning outcomes, and expectations
- Course prerequisites (if any)
- Schedule of assignments, papers, projects, exams, etc.
- Criteria for grading and grading standards
- Make-up policies for projects, exams, etc.
- Statement on absences and penalties for late or missed work
- Statement on accommodations for students with disabilities
- Statement on classroom conduct
- Statement on academic misconduct
- Statement regarding sexual harassment
*** Check with your department for other requirements for the syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Cerritos College fosters collaborative assessment that allows faculty to reflect on how well their students are learning, and to develop and implement plans to improve that learning. Collaborative assessment asks that faculty work together to develop course SLOs and their respective assessment tools, and when appropriate, to assess student work. The SLOs and Course Outline have a very close relationship. In particular, the course objectives portion of the course outline identifies the specific knowledge and skills that are to be taught in the course, whereas the SLOs identify a broader set of concepts and/or skills students should know or be able to perform when they complete the course.

There are several SLOs resources available to you. Please visit the Student Learning Outcomes Taskforce website.
First Class Meeting

Adds and Drops: You are responsible for adding and dropping students to your class. All adds should be completed within the add period for your course. Check the calendar printed on the term schedule (e.g., 2013 Spring Schedule) for important dates. Consult your division for policies for late adds. No shows should be dropped from your roster on the first day of class. Be sure to drop students who are no longer participating in your class per your class syllabus requirements. Check on Rosters+ and the term class schedule for important deadlines.

The Academic Calendar can be downloaded from the Human Resources website.
Class Break Policy

The usual length of lecture and laboratory instruction is equivalent of 50 minutes for each class hour. If your class meets for two or more consecutive hours, schedule one or more breaks.
Class Rosters

Rosters+
Rosters+ is a web based program that allows you to manage and print rosters. It also allows you to add and drop students and report final grades. Training is available to all current faculty members via the Center for Teaching Excellence. Follow this link for additional printed instructions: (Roster+ Instructions).

While in the Classroom

Guest Speakers

Guest speakers are allowed as long as you have followed your division's protocol. Before completing arrangements to have a person who is not associated with Cerritos College speak in class, contact your division office.
Students standards of conduct

Students enrolling in Cerritos College assume an obligation to abide by all District regulations on District-owned or controlled property or at District-sponsored or supervised functions. It is recommended to include a statement of classroom conduct in your syllabus and to address any inappropriate behavior as soon as possible. The office of Judicial Affairs has useful information which would help you manage student conduct: VIDEO Warning: the video links on this page will open a new popup window. Please adjust your browser to allow popups.

Use the following CAIR Referral form to address inappropriate student behavior. For additional information, please consult this student behavior writing guide or the CAIR Website.

Disabled Students

Students with limitations due to a disability may receive support services and instruction from Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS). Students who wish to apply for DSPS services should call (562) 860-2451, ext. 2333; (562) 467-5043/TTY; (866) 971-0948/VP; or visit the DSPS website.
Discrimination and Harassment

It is the policy of the Cerritos Community College District to provide an educational, employment and business environment free of unwelcome sexual advances, requests or offers for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct or communications constituting sexual harassment, as defined and otherwise prohibited by federal and state statutes. All employees of the District must abide by Board Polices and Administrative Procedures

End of Term

Final Exams

Final examinations are required in all courses. Check the final examination schedule printed on the term schedule (e.g., 2013 Spring Schedule). Students are expected to take examinations when scheduled. Consult your division and/or department chair for additional information. Examinations should be conducted in the same room used for the regular class meeting.
Reporting Grades

When reporting grades at the end of the term, follow the instructions on Rosters + in the Final Grades tab. You are required to submit signed Final Grade Rosters, the Grading Procedure sheet showing how the student's grade is determined, permanent grade documentation like spreadsheets etc., and permanent attendance documentation, spreadsheet etc. This documentation is due one week after the grades are electronically posted in Rosters + (see the Rosters + tab in the "Getting Started in the Classroom" section in the "Class Rosters" tab). Bring everything to Station #7 in the Admission office to be checked in.
Changing Grades

Grade changes must be initiated by a faculty member. A change of grade (Form AR-12) is provided for this purpose and is available in the division office and the Office of Admissions and Records. Grade changes should only be made in extreme circumstances such as fulfillment of an incomplete or inadvertent instructor error. Contact your division or department for specific procedures on grade changes.

Instructional Resources Available to you

Center for Teaching Excellence

The Center for Teaching Excellence provides professional development opportunities to all faculty while also providing a comprehensive information location of faculty resources including technology training, classroom and teaching materials, and unit planning/program review assistance.
TalonNet

TalonNet is the online course portal available to all students at Cerritos College. You can add resources for your course to your course site like your syllabus, any web links used in your class, and you can post password-protected grades. See the Center for Teaching Excellence for a training schedule for TalonNet.
Web page creation

You may create a webpage on the Cerritos Content Management System (CMS). You can use your website to provide information about your courses, contact information, and any other pertinent information you want the campus community to know about you. For training in the CMS, contact the Center for Teaching Excellence to make an appointment.
iFALCON

iFALCON is the Student Success portal to assist students with the habits necessary for accomplishing their academic goals and achieving success in their courses. The site includes student videos on achievement, information for students on how to practice common actions that successful students do, and resources for both students and faculty on how to achieve the expectations of faculty. Resources for faculty to teach iFALCON concepts are available on the site and through the Center for Teaching Excellence.