ABE Handbook Section 7: Policies and Statements

Americans with Disability Act (ADA)

Qualified, self-identified students with documented disabilities have the right to free accommodations to ensure equal access to educational opportunities at TMCC. For assistance, contact TMCC's Disability Resource Center.

Attendance

Students are required to attend a minimum of 85% of the total hours offered in a session. Hours vary from session to session. Students who miss more than the allowable absences in any one class will be expected to discuss their attendance with the program coordinator by phone, email, or in-person. While the program coordinator, or a designee, is the only person who may excuse absences, students are expected to inform their instructor of all absences. Instructors will follow up with any student that is absent for two class periods.

Corrective Action Plan

Students that are out of compliance with the attendance policy will receive a text or email message alerting them of their status. Students must make contact with the program coordinator within five business days. The program coordinator will assist students with problem-solving their attendance issues. During the discussion, the student and program coordinator will come up with a plan to make up missed hours. The student is responsible for making up all missed instruction. If a student does not contact the program coordinator, the student will be dropped from the instructor's roster.

Students with frequent absences will be considered non-compliant. Students who are non-compliant for two consecutive terms will be issued a warning notice by the program coordinator. Students that are non-compliant for three consecutive sessions will be issued an exit letter. Students will be dismissed from the program for six months (two sessions). Upon return, the student will be expected to make an appointment with the program coordinator to complete an attendance action plan. The action plan will address their strategy to ensure regular and consistent attendance. Students that are non-compliant in the first session after returning will be ineligible to receive further program services. Students will be referred to other agencies that align with the student's scheduling needs.

Family Educational Records And Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students."

  • Parents or eligible students have the right to inspect and review the student's education records maintained by the school. Schools are not required to provide copies of records unless, for reasons such as great distance, it is impossible for parents or eligible students to review the records. Schools may charge a fee for copies.
  • Parents or eligible students have the right to request that a school correct records which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student then has the right to a formal hearing. After the hearing, if the school still decides not to amend the record, the parent or eligible student has the right to place a statement with the record setting forth his or her view about the contested information.

Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31):

  • School officials with legitimate educational interest;
  • Other schools to which a student is transferring;
  • Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
  • Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
  • Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
  • Accrediting organizations;
  • To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
  • Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and
  • State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.

Schools may disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance. However, schools must tell parents and eligible students about directory information and allow parents and eligible students a reasonable amount of time to request that the school not disclose directory information about them. Schools must notify parents and eligible students annually of their rights under FERPA. The actual means of notification (special letter, inclusion in a PTA bulletin, student handbook, or newspaper article) is left to the discretion of each school.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

TMCC Policy and Statement Regarding Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action (EEO/AA)

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) is committed to providing equal opportunity and access to programs and employment, and places of work and learning free of discrimination. Likewise, TMCC's policies regarding equal employment opportunity and affirmative action represents our commitment to supporting practices that seek to achieve equal opportunity in employment and advancement without regard for sex, age, race, color, religion, physical or mental disability, creed, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or gender expression.

Additionally, TMCC is committed to taking efforts to recruit, employ, retain, and promote qualified members of underrepresented groups, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. Such efforts shall apply to all employment practices, including but not limited to:

  • Hiring
  • Promotion
  • Demotion
  • Transfer
  • Recruitment
  • Recruitment Advertising
  • Layoff
  • Termination
  • Compensation
  • Training

In full compliance with federal and state laws, TMCC has adopted the following equal employment opportunity and affirmative action statement:

TMCC is an EEO/AA (equal employment opportunity/affirmative action) institution and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, race, color, religion, physical or mental disability, creed, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or gender expression in the programs or activities which it operates.

TMCC is committed to the identification and elimination of any discrimination in the programs or activities which it operates, and to the establishment of procedures which will assure equal treatment and educational benefit. If someone at TMCC is engaging in behavior that you find offensive, you may contact us to assist you in making that individual aware of the behavior. Similarly, if you believe you have experienced unlawful discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact TMCC's Human Resources Office and file a complaint.

Allegations of discrimination are taken seriously and will be dealt with promptly, thoroughly, impartially, and equitably in accordance with the NSHE Board of Regents Policy (Title 4, Chapter 8, Section 13). Where discrimination is found to have occurred, TMCC will act to stop the discrimination, to prevent its recurrence, and to remedy its effects.

Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed when filing a complaint of sexual discrimination or harassment; however, an individual's privacy will be protected to the extent reasonably possible. If it is determined that your alleged complaint does not constitute unlawful discrimination, we can help refer you to the proper place to seek resolution.

The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation Equal Rights Commission (NREC) is charged with the oversight for employment discrimination complaints within the State of Nevada. They may be contacted at the information listed below:

Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation
Equal Rights Commission - Northern Nevada
1675 East Prater Way, Suite 103
Sparks, NV 89434
Voice: 775-823-6690
Fax: 775-688-1292