ATTENDANCE COUNTING
RCC receives funding based on attendance reports submitted by the college. It is critical that attendance reports be accurate and follow procedures mandated by Title V.

POSITIVE ATTENDANCE
Positive attendance is based on the actual hours of attendance using the count of enrolled students present at each class meeting. It applies to the following types of courses:

Short Term Credit Courses (meeting fewer than five days)
Irregularly Scheduled Credit Courses
Open Entry/Open Exit Courses
In-Service Training Courses
Noncredit Courses
Apprenticeship Classes
Tutoring Courses

ATTENDANCE AND FINAL GRADE ROSTERS
The instructor's attendance and final grade rosters are official records; they are used to verify and correct any errors in the machine processing of grades and withdrawal dates.

Records may be subpoenaed by the courts and are subject to audit. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that faculty maintain attendance records in a legible and coherent manner and submit the forms provided by RCCD. Each student's full name, student number and attendance record must be entered. Mark attendance according to the symbols in the top left hand corner of the attendance and grade form.

All faculty are expected to keep accurate attendance records on the class. It is important that all students in classes be actually enrolled. When a student is attending a class, but the instructor has received no notice of enrollment, the instructor should require the student to provide proof of enrollment from the Admissions office.

An instructor who does not receive a class roster(s) should check with the Admissions and Records office on the Riverside campus. All attendance rosters must be submitted promptly at the end of the term along with the final grade rosters and Positive Attendance forms (where applicable).

STUDENT ATTENDANCE
All students are expected to attend every session of every course in which they are enrolled. Failure to do so may indicate a lack of serious purpose. A student may be dropped from a course for excessive absence (including tardiness), regardless of cause, if the number of absences or tardies is having an adverse effect upon success in the course. Religious observations, however, are excused. The student should inform instructors prior to such an absence. Work missed for unavoidable cause may be made up with the instructor's approval. Under no circumstances will absences excuse the student from completing all the work assigned in a given course. After an absence, it is the responsibility of the student to check with the instructor about completing missed assignments.

What about using attendance in computation of a grade?

Title 5, Section 55002 (a) (2) (A) states, "Grading Policy. The course provides for measurement of student performance in terms of the stated course objectives and culminates in a formal, permanently recorded grade based upon uniform standards in accordance with Section 55758 of this Division. The grade is based on demonstrated proficiency in subject matter and the ability to demonstrate that proficiency, at least in part, by means of essays, or, in courses where the curriculum committee deems them to be appropriate, by problem solving exercises or skills demonstrations by students."

In other words a grade may not be based solely on attendance. Attendance that is tied or connected to “participation” in class discussions, projects, etc. does contribute to demonstrated proficiency and would probably be deemed appropriate under Title 5. There is no mention of extra credit in the code or in Title 5, but if the points are given for attendance at an outside event that contributes to the courses desired SLO or is tied to participation as mentioned above, then, it may be deemed appropriate. All instructors should carefully consider the justification for any grading practice. One should be able to fully explain why the methodology has been selected, how it supports student learning outcomes and how it is liked to the ability to demonstrate proficiency. Questions about grading practices should be directed to your department chair, your dean, your faculty development coordinator or to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness..

REINSTATEMENT
Students who have dropped a course, or have been dropped by the instructor, may be reinstated with the instructor's signature on an ADD card. Please be aware that reinstatement may have implications for Admissions and Records accounting and financial aid awards. Reinstatements prior to the final grade period are submitted to the Admissions and Records office. If the reinstatement occurs at the time of final grades, you must fill out a Reinstatement Request Form and turn it in with final grades (form is available from the Instructional Department Specialist [IDS]).