PLAB 1223-E7
Course Information
Instructor: Eugenia Whittenburg BSN, RN
School: Lamar State College orange & Goodrich High School (Dual Credit)
Email: eugenia.whittenburg@goodrichisd.net
Office Phone: 936-365-1100 ext 1042
Room: 208 in Goodrich Elementary / School Nurse Clinic
Course Schedule: Fall Semester Aug – December per Goodrich ISD Calendar
Class length: 50 minutes Monday – Friday (Goodrich ISD Period 4)
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 7:30 - 7:50am & 3:30 - 4:00pm
Other hours by appointment / request
Course Description
Medical Assisting introduces students to patient-centered clinical skills through the fall Lamar ECRD 1211 Electrocardiography course and PLAB 1223 Phlebotomy foundations. Students learn medical assistant professionalism, confidentiality, infection control, cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, ECG lead placement, ECG quality, basic rhythm interpretation, emergency response, phlebotomy safety, equipment, patient identification, order of draw, specimen labeling, and specimen handling. Instruction is student-centered and paper-friendly because the classroom also functions as the school nurse office.
Pre-requisites/Co-requisites
Pathway sequence for this Goodrich/Lamar cohort: Fall includes ECRD 1211 Electrocardiography and PLAB 1223 Phlebotomy foundations in one high-school Medical Assisting period. Spring includes PLAB 1160 clinical and continued phlebotomy classroom/lab work as needed. Then CNA/PCT will be required next school year to complete the MA certificate requirements.
Required Textbook & Materials
Source & Alignment Notes
Lamar State College-Port Arthur Catalog: ECRD 1211 Electrocardiography: cardiovascular A&P, basic electrocardiography procedures, basic dysrhythmias, treatment modalities; outcomes include describing cardiovascular A&P, performing basic ECG procedures, and interpreting basic dysrhythmias.
Lamar State College-Port Arthur Catalog: PLAB 1223 Phlebotomy: blood-collection skills, safety/standard precautions, vacuum collection devices, syringes, capillary puncture, butterfly needles, blood culture, specimen collection across ages, infection prevention, patient ID, labeling, QA, handling, processing, accessioning, professionalism, ethics, and medical terminology.
Texas Education Agency / Texas Administrative Code: Medical Assistant TEKS currently appears on TEA Chapter 127 as §127.489; legacy sources may show §127.427. Alignment in this bundle uses §127.489 numbering.
Instructor-supplied Goodrich context: Goodrich high-school grade needs, shared nurse-office/classroom setting, 2026 fall dates, Google Classroom practice, HIPAA/FERPA signed-paper assessment, and pathway sequence were supplied by instructor.
Materials: Teacher provided materials and iCEV access. Teacher-created tests and worksheets are original practice materials, not copied publisher test bank items. One set of black scrubs will be provided by Goodrich ISD. Proper nonslip footwear will be provided by student/parent. Name tag is required for all clinical days and will be provided by Goodrich ISD. For Seniors, One set of black scrubs will be provided by Goodrich ISD. Proper nonslip footwear will be provided by student/parent. Name tag is required for all clinical days and will be provided by Goodrich ISD.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
1. Describe cardiovascular anatomy and physiology related to ECG testing.
2. Perform basic ECG preparation and 12-lead setup in simulation according to safety, privacy, and quality expectations.
3. Recognize basic rhythm patterns and report abnormal findings appropriately within the medical assistant role.
4. Apply infection-control, patient-identification, specimen-labeling, and safety practices in phlebotomy simulations.
5. Identify common phlebotomy equipment, tube additives, order of draw, and specimen-handling requirements.
6. Communicate professionally with patients, classmates, the nurse/instructor, and healthcare team members.
7. Protect confidentiality in the shared clinic/classroom setting.
8. Demonstrate employability skills, teamwork, problem solving, and documentation accuracy.
Course Topical Outline
First Six Weeks
|
Date |
Type |
Grade Evidence |
Topic |
|
Mon 08/17/26 |
MAJOR/TEST |
T1-SW1 HIPAA/FERPA Test |
HIPAA/FERPA Quiz + Signed Confidentiality Acknowledgment |
|
Tue 08/18/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A1-SW1 |
Medical Assistant Role, Scope, Chain of Command & Fall Pathway |
|
Wed 08/19/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A2-SW1 |
Healthcare Team Communication, Delegation Boundaries & Clinic Workflow |
|
Thu 08/20/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A3-SW1 |
Standard Precautions, Hand Hygiene & PPE for EKG/Phlebotomy |
|
Fri 08/21/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A4-SW1 |
Cardiovascular Anatomy: Heart Chambers, Valves & Great Vessels |
|
Mon 08/24/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A5-SW1 |
Blood Flow Through the Heart and Lungs |
|
Tue 08/25/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A6-SW1 |
Cardiac Conduction System: SA Node to Purkinje Fibers |
|
Wed 08/26/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A7-SW1 |
ECG Paper, Grid, Calibration & Time/Voltage Measurement |
|
Thu 08/27/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A8-SW1 |
ECG Waves, Segments & Intervals: P-QRS-T Basics |
|
Fri 08/28/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A9-SW1 |
Heart Rate, Regularity & Rhythm Strip Measurement |
|
Mon 08/31/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A10-SW1 |
Patient Prep, Skin Prep, Privacy & Equipment Check |
|
Thu 09/03/26 |
MAJOR/TEST |
T2-SW1 12-Lead Setup Skills |
Major Skills Assessment: 12-Lead Setup Simulation |
|
Thu 09/10/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
Professional Dress |
Professional Dress + EKG Safety and Patient Education |
|
Fri 09/11/26 |
MAJOR/TEST |
T3-SW1 Unit 1 Exam |
Unit 1 Exam: Cardiovascular Basics, ECG Setup & Safety |
|
Thu 09/17/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
Professional Dress |
FLEX / Make-Up / Remediation |
Planned count: 3 major/test grades + 12 assignment grades.
Second Six Weeks
|
Date |
Type |
Grade Evidence |
Topic |
|
Mon 09/21/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A1-SW2 |
Atrial Rhythms and What to Report |
|
Tue 09/22/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A2-SW2 |
Junctional Rhythms and AV Dissociation Basics |
|
Wed 09/23/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A3-SW2 |
Ventricular Rhythms: PVCs, VT, VF and Report-Now Findings |
|
Thu 09/24/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A4-SW2 |
AV Blocks: First, Second, and Third Degree Patterns |
|
Thu 09/24/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
Professional Dress |
AV Blocks: First, Second, and Third Degree Patterns |
|
Fri 09/25/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A5-SW2 |
ST Changes, Ischemia/Injury/Infarct: Introduction for Medical Assistants |
|
Mon 09/28/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A6-SW2 |
ECG Critical Findings: When to Stop and Get Help |
|
Tue 09/29/26 |
MAJOR/TEST |
T1-SW2 Rhythm Practical |
Major Rhythm Practical: Classify and Report ECG Strips |
|
Thu 10/01/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
Professional Dress |
Emergency Response Simulation: Chest Pain, Syncope and Anaphylaxis |
|
Thu 10/08/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
Professional Dress |
FLEX / Make-Up / Remediation |
|
Tue 10/13/26 |
MAJOR/TEST |
T2-SW2 EKG Unit 2 Exam |
Unit 2 Exam: Dysrhythmias, Emergency Response & ECG Quality |
|
Thu 10/15/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
Professional Dress |
Phlebotomy Equipment ID: Tubes, Needles, Holders, Lancets, Tourniquets |
|
Thu 10/22/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
Professional Dress |
Venipuncture Anatomy: Veins, Landmarks and Site Selection |
|
Mon 10/26/26 |
MAJOR/TEST |
T3-SW2 Phlebotomy Safety Performance |
Major Phlebotomy Safety Performance: ID, PPE, Equipment & Labeling |
|
Thu 10/29/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
Professional Dress |
FLEX / Make-Up / Remediation |
Planned count: 3 major/test grades + 12 assignment grades.
Third Six Weeks
|
Date |
Type |
Grade Evidence |
Topic |
|
Tue 11/03/26 |
MAJOR/TEST |
T1-SW3 ECRD Comprehensive Final |
ECRD Comprehensive Final Examination |
|
Thu 11/05/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A1-SW3 |
Evacuated Tube System: Parts, Assembly and Safety |
|
Thu 11/05/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
Professional Dress |
Evacuated Tube System: Parts, Assembly and Safety |
|
Fri 11/06/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A2-SW3 |
Syringe, Butterfly and Special Collection Devices: When and Why |
|
Mon 11/09/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A3-SW3 |
Blood Culture Collection: Contamination Prevention Overview |
|
Tue 11/10/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A4-SW3 |
Tube Selection for Common Tests: CBC, CMP, Lipids and Coagulation |
|
Wed 11/11/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A5-SW3 |
Specimen Handling, Processing, Transport and Accessioning |
|
Thu 11/12/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
A6-SW3 |
Quality Assurance: Hemolysis, Clotting, Short Draws and Rejection |
|
Thu 11/12/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
Professional Dress |
Quality Assurance: Hemolysis, Clotting, Short Draws and Rejection |
|
Wed 11/18/26 |
MAJOR/TEST |
T2-SW3 PLAB Foundations Test |
Major PLAB Test: Equipment, Order of Draw, Labeling and Handling |
|
Thu 11/19/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
Professional Dress |
Professionalism, Ethics and Communication in Blood Collection |
|
Thu 12/03/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
Professional Dress |
Phlebotomy Documentation and Error Reporting |
|
Thu 12/10/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
Professional Dress |
Phlebotomy Review Stations and Portfolio Work Day |
|
Wed 12/16/26 |
MAJOR/TEST |
T3-SW3 Semester Skills Readiness |
Semester Final / Medical Assisting Skills Readiness Assessment |
|
Thu 12/17/26 |
ASSIGNMENT |
Professional Dress |
Final Capstone: EKG Handoff + Phlebotomy Readiness Portfolio |
Academic Honesty
Academic Integrity & Professionalism
Healthcare work depends on accurate records and honest competency. Students must submit their own work unless collaboration is authorized. Falsifying attendance, documentation, a skill check-off, or assessment result is inconsistent with healthcare professional standards and will be handled under applicable Goodrich and Lamar policies.
Academic Honesty and Integrity
Students are expected to complete their own original work and demonstrate honesty in all assignments, assessments, skills checkoffs, documentation, and class activities. Cheating, plagiarism, falsification of information, unauthorized collaboration, or submitting another person's work as one's own is not acceptable.
Because Health Science courses prepare students for careers in which accuracy, honesty, confidentiality, and patient safety are essential, academic integrity will be treated as part of professional behavior. Students should ask the instructor when they are unsure whether collaboration, outside resources, or technology may be used on an assignment.
Students subject to penalty due to academic honesty have the right to appeal the decision. Refer to the current LSCO Catalog for details on the appeal process.
Electronic Communication
Students will use their Goodrich ISD student email account for school-related electronic communication.
The instructor may communicate with students and parents through:
- Goodrich ISD Rooms/Apptegy
- Google Classroom
- Goodrich ISD email
- other district-approved communication systems
Students are expected to join the appropriate Rooms class/group, set their notification preferences, and encourage a parent or guardian to do the same.
Assignments, announcements, instructional materials, make-up work, and reminders may be posted in Google Classroom.
Students are responsible for checking district-approved communication systems regularly.
Attendance Requirements
Regular attendance is essential for successful completion of Health Science coursework.
Students are expected to attend class in accordance with Goodrich ISD attendance requirements. Some Health Science courses also contain laboratory, skills, clinical, competency, certification, or clock-hour requirements that cannot always be replaced by completing written work.
Students are responsible for discussing missed skills, laboratory activities, required hours, or clinical experiences with the instructor.
For CNA and other courses with regulatory or certification requirements, completion of academic make-up work does not automatically replace required training hours, clinical hours, or skill competency requirements.
Make-up Work Policy
Students who are absent will be provided an opportunity to complete eligible make-up work according to Goodrich ISD policy.
Unless another arrangement is approved, students should complete make-up work within the number of school days allowed by district policy. Students who need additional time because of an extended absence, illness, accommodation, or other circumstance should communicate with the instructor.
It is the student's responsibility to:
- check Google Classroom;
- obtain missed assignments and notes;
- ask questions about missed instruction;
- schedule make-up assessments or skills when necessary; and
- submit work by the established make-up deadline.
Work that remains incomplete after the allowable make-up period and for which no extension has been arranged may receive a zero according to district grading policy.
Classroom Etiquette
Civility and Respect
Students are expected to contribute to a positive, professional, and respectful learning environment.
Health Science students will work with classmates who may have different experiences, cultures, backgrounds, beliefs, abilities, maturity levels, and career interests. Students should communicate in a manner that respects those differences.
Disruptive, disrespectful, threatening, harassing, discriminatory, or deliberately discourteous conduct is not acceptable in:
- classroom discussions;
- skills laboratories;
- clinical experiences;
- email;
- Google Classroom;
- Rooms messages;
- telephone conversations;
- group work; or
- communication with classmates, faculty, school personnel, patients, residents, or community partners.
Students may be redirected or removed from an activity when behavior interferes with safety, learning, patient dignity, or the rights of others. Repeated or serious misconduct will be addressed according to Goodrich ISD policy and, when applicable, LSCO or clinical-site requirements.
Professional behavior is considered part of preparation for a healthcare career.
Participation and Student Responsibility
Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions, labs, simulations, skills practice, group work, reflection activities, and other assigned learning experiences.
Participation includes more than simply being physically present. Students should:
- arrive prepared;
- participate appropriately;
- ask questions;
- complete assigned work;
- work respectfully with classmates;
- follow safety procedures;
- protect confidentiality;
- practice within the role being taught; and
- communicate concerns to the instructor.
Students are encouraged to think, ask why, notice changes, and explain their reasoning rather than simply memorize information.
Exam Policy
Exams will normally be administered during the assigned class period.
Students who are absent on an exam day are responsible for arranging a make-up exam according to Goodrich ISD make-up-work requirements. The make-up exam may differ in question order or format while assessing the same course objectives.
Students should discuss testing concerns, accommodations, absences, or scheduling conflicts with the instructor as soon as possible.
Approved accommodations identified through a student's educational plan will be provided.
Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence tools may be used only when permitted by the instructor and in the manner identified for the assignment. AI may be useful for brainstorming, reviewing concepts, generating study questions, or receiving feedback when directed; however, it may not replace the student's own thinking, clinical reasoning, skill performance, or original work.
Students remain responsible for checking the accuracy of any AI-generated information. AI-generated information should never be treated as a substitute for approved course materials, instructor guidance, facility policy, or current healthcare standards.
When an assignment requires independent work, using AI to create answers or complete the assignment may be considered academic dishonesty.
Expected Time Requirement for this Course
Students should expect approximately 50 minutes of scheduled class time each school day, in addition to occasional study, review, homework, make-up work, or project time outside the school day.
Dual-credit and certification courses may require additional preparation because students are completing high-school expectations while also preparing for college-level or industry-certification standards.
Grading and Evaluation Method
Tests/Major Assessments — 60%
Assignments/Daily Grades — 40%
Grading scale:
A: 90–100
B: 80–89
C: 70–79
D: 60–69
F: 0–59
Assessments may include written tests, quizzes, projects, skills demonstrations, clinical reasoning activities, simulations, documentation exercises, presentations, competency checkoffs, or other course-appropriate measures.
When LSCO or another college requires a separate college grade, that grade will be recorded according to the college course requirements in addition to the student's Goodrich ISD grade as applicable.
Instructor Response Time
During the regular school calendar, the instructor will generally respond to student or parent email or approved electronic communication within 24 hours on regular school days.
Messages received during weekends, holidays, school closures, or when the instructor is unavailable because of school or clinical responsibilities may be answered on the next regular school day.
Students should report urgent school-day concerns directly to an appropriate school employee rather than relying solely on electronic communication.
Participation Requirements
Participation and Student Responsibility
Students are expected to actively participate in class discussions, labs, simulations, skills practice, group work, reflection activities, and other assigned learning experiences.
Participation includes more than simply being physically present. Students should:
- arrive prepared;
- participate appropriately;
- ask questions;
- complete assigned work;
- work respectfully with classmates;
- follow safety procedures;
- protect confidentiality;
- practice within the role being taught; and
- communicate concerns to the instructor.
Students are encouraged to think, ask why, notice changes, and explain their reasoning rather than simply memorize information.
Review of Test Grades
Students who have a question about an assignment or grade should first speak with the instructor.
The goal of the first conversation is to review the assignment, grading criteria, calculation, or concern and determine whether an error or misunderstanding occurred.
If the matter cannot be resolved at the classroom level, the student or parent may follow the Goodrich ISD complaint or grade-review process, beginning with the appropriate campus administrator/principal.
For a dual-credit matter involving the official college record, the applicable LSCO academic or grade-appeal process may also apply.
Student’s Responsibility
This syllabus contains information, policies, and procedures for a specific course. By enrolling, the student agrees to read, understand, and abide by the rules, policies, regulations, and ethical standards of Lamar State College Orange as those contained in the current LSCO Catalog and schedule of classes.
Syllabus Content
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus if deemed necessary. All changes will be provided to the students orally or in writing before the implementation of the change.
Mental Health Resources
TimelyCare is a virtual health and well-being platform that is available 24/7 for all non-dual credit enrolled LSCO students. There is no cost to eligible students for this service. TimelyCare providers offer emotional support, mental health counseling, health coaching, psychiatry, and basic needs support. Non-Dual Credit students enrolled in classes can log in to the TimelyCare website or app available at timelycare.com/LSCO.
Advocacy Information
Any student who faces challenges securing their food, housing, transportation, or childcare for minor dependents and believes this may affect their performance in the course is encouraged to contact the student care office (studentcare@lsco.edu)for guidance on how to access possible resources. Please notify the instructor of your circumstance if you are comfortable doing so.
Equal Opportunity to Educational Programs
Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) is an equal opportunity educational institution and does not discriminate against any person regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status, in admissions, educational programs, student activities or employment. For further information about this policy, contact the Director of Student Care and Accessibility at studentcare@lsco.edu.
Title IX of the Education Amendments
LSCO prohibits discrimination, including sexual harassment and retaliation, against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Any student who believes that he or she has experienced prohibited conduct or believes that another student has experienced prohibited conduct should immediately report the alleged acts to the Title IX Coordinator, Rebecca Gentry rebecca.gentry@lsco.edu.
Blackboard Resources
LSCO students will access Blackboard through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: NetID@my.lsco.edu/Password. For help in identifying your NetID/Password, visit https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/userinfo1.asp.
Students needing help learning how to navigate Blackboard are encouraged to reach out to LearningTechnology@lsco.edu. Blackboard student resource videos and help-sites are available at https://www.lsco.edu/distanceed/blackboard-student.asp.
Career Coach
Lamar State College Orange provides career advising services to all students and alumni through Career Coach, an online career planning tool. Career Coach assists students through all phases of developing, initiating, and implementing career plans.
Information regarding employment opportunities and career options are provided along with access to live local job postings. Full-time and part-time employment opportunities, as well as internships, are available through Career Coach. Access https://www.lsco.edu/advising/career-planning.asp for more details on how to use LSCO’s Career Coach to plan for and learn more about your future career.
Gator Assistance Program
Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled students support for daycare and/or transportation costs on a first come first serve basis as funding allows.
Access https://www.lsco.edu/advising/gator-assistance.asp for details on assistance services.
OASIS Tutoring
Students needing course content or study skills support are encouraged to make an appointment or walk in to receive tutoring and academic support services. Our series of student success seminars, named Lifesavers, are available Face-to-face, online, and self-paced throughout the semester. Reach out to OASIS@lsco.edu for more information on how students can receive academic support. Visit https://www.lsco.edu/student-life/library/lifesavers.php for more information about Lifesavers.
Library Services
Students are encouraged to visit library.lsco.edu to find the library’s current operating hours, access the catalog to locate print materials, and access GatorSearch to explore the vast electronic collection. The library provides over 77 electronic database collections that include eBooks, newspapers, magazines, academic journals, and streaming video. The physical library contains a specialized collection of research materials specifically chosen to support the degrees and courses offered. Additionally, Students with research questions or questions about library services are encouraged visit the library in person, call 409-882-3352, access the chat on the library webpage, or to email their question to lscolibrary@lsco.edu.
Student with Disabilities
Under the Texas State System, Lamar State College Orange complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, pertaining to the provision of reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids for students with disability. We strive to provide reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids to students who request and require them.
Students who believe they have a disability requiring an academic adjustment/auxiliary aid are encouraged to contact the Director of Student Care & Accessibility at studentcare@lsco.edu. Students are encouraged to apply before the start of the semester when at all possible. The Accommodation Request Form and details regarding the appropriate documentation needed can be found here: https://www.lsco.edu/advising/disability.asp. Once approved, the signed accommodation form provided by the Director of Student Care & Accessibility must be submitted to the instructor at least two business days in advance of need.
Upswing 24/7 FREE Tutoring Services
Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled students with access to online tutoring through a partnership with Upswing, an online tutoring platform. Tutors are available 24/7 online in almost every subject.
Access https://www.lsco.edu/tutoring/online-tutoring.asp for details on how to log-in to the FREE services.
Campus Closure
In the event of an emergency campus closure in excess of three class days, Lamar State College Orange’s classes will continue via the use of Blackboard. In such an instance, the college website, www.lsco.edu, will have information concerning the event and anticipated re-opening plans.
Civility
Please be considerate of other classmates’ feelings, ethnic background, cultural differences, situations, and level of maturity. Students will be asked to leave the course if disruptive or inappropriate behavior is exhibited in any of the course requirements. If your instructor feels that you have not contributed appropriately to course requirements, your final course grade may be reduced accordingly.
The instructor reserves the right to manage a positive learning environment and will not tolerate inappropriate conduct in the course. Rude correspondence (discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way) in e-mails, telephone calls, in person, or comments made to other class members, the instructor, or the office staff.
Contingency Plans
Students should develop a backup plan should their computer system or their Internet provider fail. Computer or internet connectivity issues are not valid excuses for missing a deadline. The College provides many opportunities for using computer equipment, as do many public libraries. Refer to the LSCO website for operational hours of the Library and OASIS.
Credit Transfer
Students should check in advance with the institution to which they plan to transfer credit to confirm transferability.
Criminal Background Policy
LSCO awards some certificates and degrees in which a criminal history MAY disqualify candidates from becoming licensed, certified, and/or employed upon degree/certificate completion. Students with a criminal background enrolling in courses leading to a degree/certificate in Criminal Justice, Barber, Cosmetology, Emergency Medical Technology, HVAC, Electrician, Plumbing, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Vocational Nursing (VN), Registered Nursing (RN), Pharmacy Technician, Real Estate, or Teacher Preparation program are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to discuss the certification and/or licensing regulations of the program with the program director listed in order to learn more about the current guidelines related to criminal history as well as the right of individuals to request a criminal history evaluation letter.
Drops and Withdrawals
Never attending or ceasing to attend classes DOES NOT constitute a drop or withdrawal. You remain registered until you request a drop from the instructor. Failure to act in a timely manner will result in an "F" grade for the course. It is the student's responsibility to follow up with the LSCO advising office to ensure that all drops/withdrawals are processed as desired.
Grade of “Incomplete”
The grade of "I" may be given when any requirement of the course, including the final examination, is not completed. Students seeking an incomplete should have completed 75% of the course requirements and be passing the course at the time of the request. Arrangements to complete deficiencies in a course should be made in advance of the end of the semester with the instructor. The instructor will process the Incomplete form online, and a confirmation will be sent to the student’s LSCO email.
Incomplete work must be finished during the next long semester. If not, the Office of Admission and Records must change the "I" grade to the grade of "F." The course must then be repeated if credit is desired. An "I" grade also automatically becomes an "F" if the student registers for the course prior to removing the deficiencies and receiving a grade change. The instructor may record the grade of "F" for a student who is absent from the final examination and is not passing the course.
Grade Appeals and the Academic Grievance Process
Grade determination and awarding of grades in a course are the responsibility of the instructor and should be calculated according to college policy, procedures, and written details provided in the course syllabus. NOTE: Final grades are available to students within 48 hours of the instructor posting the grade in Banner. Students may view final grades by logging into MyGator and then accessing Gator Self-Service.
An academic appeal process is afforded to students who desire to dispute a grade or any decision that affects the student’s ability to complete and earn a grade for the course provided it is not related to a violation outlined in the LSCO Student Code of Conduct. If an informal conference with the faculty member regarding an academic complaint fails to reach the outcome requested by the student, the student may initiate the formal process. Even after initiating the formal complaint process, students are encouraged to seek informal resolution of their concerns. A student whose concerns are resolved may withdraw a formal complaint at any time.
Refer to the current catalog or for details on the formal grade appeal process.
Institutional Educational Goals
Lamar State College Orange has identified seven educational goals to specify the knowledge and skills that students should gain from completing academic and technical programs with the College. These goals are:
• Critical thinking (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.
• Communication (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to effectively develop, interpret and express ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
• Empirical and quantitative skills (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to manipulate and analyze numerical data or observable facts and create informed conclusions.
• Teamwork (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
• Social responsibility (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to recognize and acquire a sense of intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national and global communities.
• Personal responsibility (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.
• Professional competency (Technical) – Students will be able to recognize or demonstrate skills that depict professional values and employability. If the career has licensure or certification requirements, students may prepare for the licensure and certification in a capstone course and sit for the licensure or certificate at the end of the program.
MyGator and Log-In Credentials
Current students will access many LSCO applications through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: NetID@my.lsco.edu/Password.
Students can set a password here: https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/
IMPORTANT: It is a violation of College policy, state laws, and federal laws for anyone to gain or help others gain unauthorized access to MyGator or any LSCO application or service. All accounts shall be for use by a single individual – the person for whom the account was approved or assigned. This includes Blackboard accounts as well as any application within MyGator. Sharing or loaning accounts is strictly prohibited, can be construed as a form of cheating, and violates College policy, state laws, and federal laws.
Policies and Procedures
LSCO adheres to the policies and procedures established in the Texas Education Code, Texas State University System Rules and Regulations, LSCO Faculty Handbook, and LSCO Catalog.
Prohibited Items in the Classroom
No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. It is inappropriate for minor children to be on campus due to the potential liability to the College, the risk of harm to the children, and decreased employee productivity due to distractions and disruptions.
Student Complaints (excluding Safety, Harassment, or Title IX)
LSCO believes that all matters involving a staff member (non-instructor) OR an instructor are best resolved directly with the employee. Should it not be resolved at that level, access and complete the Student Complaint Intake form within five (5) business days from the date of the offense. The Student Complaint Intake Form can be found in any of these locations:
- LSCO Website (Current Students)
- LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints)
- MyGator Card
- Blackboard (Student Resources, Student Services, Student Resources)
After a student completes the Student Complaint Intake Form, they will be contacted by an LSCO employee unrelated to the offense and provided guidance on how to proceed with the Complaint process.
Refer to the LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints) for details on the complaint process.
Student Complaints (involving Safety, Harassment, or Title IX)
Student-Staff and Student-Instructor Complaint Process involving Safety, Harassment, or Title IX:
Students who have experienced a safety, harassment, or title IX event should access and complete the Title IX/Clery: Anonymous Reporting Form found in any of these locations:
- LSCO Website (Sexual Misconduct & Title IX)
- LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints)
- MyGator Card
- Blackboard (Student Resources, Student Services, Student Resources)
After a student completes the intake form, they will be contacted by an LSCO employee and provided guidance on how to proceed.
Refer to the LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints) for details on the complaint process.
Student Privacy
The privacy of all students, including Distance Education students, is protected through strict adherence to the rules of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. LSCO’s statement regarding the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act can be found in LSCO’s Catalog. Additional information regarding privacy for Distance Education students can be found in the Distance Education Handbook, appendix D.
Goodrich ISD Specifics for Course
Students who have a question about an assignment or grade should first speak with the instructor.
The goal of the first conversation is to review the assignment, grading criteria, calculation, or concern and determine whether an error or misunderstanding occurred.
If the matter cannot be resolved at the classroom level, the student or parent may follow the Goodrich ISD complaint or grade-review process, beginning with the appropriate campus administrator/principal.
For a dual-credit matter involving the official college record, the applicable LSCO academic or grade-appeal process may also apply.