Matrix for the Rio Writing Competency Skill Levels
You can use this list of skills to check and improve your writing on assignments for this course.
Highest Level Writing Skills:
Level 4
- Responds fully and directly to the assignment, presenting the writer's individual perspective.
- Shows a clear and thoughtful purpose.
- Focuses on one main idea or topic throughout.
- Contains relevant information with specific details and clear images.
- Beginning captures the reader's attention: ending provides confident closure.
- Uses mature sentences with a variety of structures and clear transitions.
- Vocabulary well chosen; uses expected terminology.
- Contains minimum errors, if any, in mechanics, grammar, or spelling.
- Meets format requirements at the superior level.
College Level Writing Skills:
Level 3
- Responds directly to the assignment and presents the writer's perspective.
- The purpose is apparent but not consistently clear.
- Reader understands the main idea but details are fewer and less relevant.
- Beginning and ending are generally satisfactory but ordinary or routine.
- Sentences are usually correct but sometimes awkward and the structure repetitious.
- Transitions are sometimes missing.
- Vocabulary adequate but does not use expected terminology fully or precisely.
- Some errors in mechanics, grammar, or spelling but they do not affect reader understanding.
- Meets format requirements at an expected level for college writing.
Below College Level Writing Skills:
Level 2
- Gives an acceptable response to the assignment, but disregards part of the task, providing insufficient information.
- Details are too general and vague.
- Discussion stays on topic but generalizes open.
- Beginning and ending are sometimes limited, simple statement.
- Sentences are sometimes poorly formed, of limited variety, lacking in transition, and difficult to understand.
- Vocabulary usually adequate but occasionally unclear; sometimes avoids or misuses the terminology of the lesson.
- Serious errors in mechanics, grammar, or spelling that are not expected in college writing.
- Meets format requirements at a minimally acceptable level.
Level 1
- The writing is an inadequate attempt to respond to the assignments.
- Very little information is given or what appears is not relevant or correct.
- Ideas often digress or do not follow any obvious organization.
- The work may be all one paragraph with no obvious beginning and ending attempted.
- Vocabulary is often unclear and excessively informal.
- Serious errors in mechanics, grammar, or spelling which are not acceptable in college writing.
- Does not meet format requirements at a minimum level.
- Title of the paper, course title and section number are centered vertically and horizontally on the title page.
- The first, last, and other important words in the title are capitalized, but no other punctuation appears (quotation marks, underlining, etc.) The page uses no special fonts or excessive print sizes.
- Student's name and the date are centered horizontally below the titles or placed near the lower right corner.
- The paper is word-processed, printed in 12-point size in an easy-to-read font, 1.5- or double spaced.
- Paragraphs use a block format with additional white space between paragraphs.
- Documentation, if used, correctly follows style guidelines (MLA, APA, CBE, Chicago, etc.) appropriate to the field.
Please also note that format is important to good writing.
Final Grade Options
- Letter grade (A, B, C, D, F) - Awarded if the student completes all work, including the final exams.
- Extension (in lieu of Incomplete grade) - Students may request an extension because of illness or other extenuating circumstances, if they have been doing acceptable work. The instructor will define the requirements and timelines to complete the course.
Please Note: Instructors are not obligated to give extensions.
- Withdrawal - Students may submit a withdrawal request on or prior to the “Deadline for Student to Withdraw with Guaranteed Grade of W” indicated in the college catalog.
Students should not contact their instructor to request a withdrawal. A student wishing to withdraw from a class within the stated timeline must do so by visiting my.maricopa.edu or by calling Student Enrollment Services at 480.517.8540 (1.800.729.1197 toll-free). In extreme circumstances, students do have the option of requesting a complete withdrawal from the college by providing Student Enrollment Services with appropriate documentation.
- Credit/No Credit Option (P/Z) - This course may be taken on a credit/no credit basis.
To receive Credit "P" grade, students must complete all course work, including exams, and attend all required meetings. A "P" grade is judged to be equivalent to a grade of "C" or higher. A No-Credit "Z" grade will be awarded for course work judged to be below the grade of "C."
It is the student's responsibility to request advisement at (480) 517-8580 concerning the transferability of a grade of "P" or "Z."
You have a set number of days from your start date to request to change your grade option. See the table below to determine deadline based upon the length of your course.
For example in a fourteen week course you will have until the 11th calendar day to request to change your grade option.
Class Length
|
Deadline to Request
|
Two Weeks
|
1st Day of Class
|
Three Weeks
|
2nd Calendar Day
|
Four Weeks
|
3rd Calendar Day
|
Five Weeks
|
4th Calendar Day
|
Six Weeks
|
5th Calendar Day
|
Seven Weeks
|
5th Calendar Day
|
Eight Weeks
|
6th Calendar Day
|
Nine Weeks
|
7th Calendar Day
|
Ten Weeks
|
8th Calendar Day
|
Eleven Weeks
|
9th Calendar Day
|
Twelve Weeks
|
10th Calendar Day
|
Thirteen Weeks
|
10th Calendar Day
|
Fourteen Weeks
|
11th Calendar Day
|
Fifteen Weeks
|
12th Calendar Day
|
Sixteen Weeks
|
Within 14 days including the first class period
|
Late or Missing Assignments
Policy Regarding Late and/or Missing Assignments and lack of participation: Assignment due date and submission policies must be followed as previously indicated. Students must be actively working on course assignments to remain in the course.
If some unforeseen circumstance interrupts your progress, you must contact your instructor and arrange a new schedule. If necessary, your instructor may agree to your request for an extension of specific assignments and of the end date of your course and assign you a new end date. If you do not finish assignments by agreed on dates and/or the final exam by that date, you will receive an F.
It is your responsibility to contact your instructor if you are unable to submit the first assignment within the first 3 weeks. Also you do need to maintain status as an active student. If you do not maintain communication and submit assignments according to the policies, your instructor may assume that you have withdrawn from the course. Therefore, it is very important that you contact your instructor if some unforeseen circumstance interrupts your progress. DO NOT fall behind and expect to send more than two lessons at a time without time and opportunity for your instructor to give you feedback on your work.
Written Assignment Expectations
Every student is expected to produce his/her original, independent work for these assignments or a grade of 0 points will be given. The following are the expectations used to evaluate your written assignments:
Completeness: Answers to each question should contain two to three paragraphs. Be sure to carefully read each question to assure that each part is answered with the appropriate depth and detail.
Knowledge: The clearest way to display knowledge is to provide depth and detail. Use key terms and provide definitions. Use detailed examples to illustrate concepts. Be specific and avoid generalizations.
Critical Thinking: Critical thinking is the mental process of clearly and logically evaluating information and applying it to the world around us. It is the process of getting beyond "surface" meaning, to inquire, to question, and to offer divergent opinions with the goal of reaching deeper meaning and understanding.
Writing: Answers must be in paragraph format, unless the question specifically indicates otherwise.
Grading Rubric
Completeness (out of 5 points)
Does each answer directly respond to the assignment question?
Knowledge/Application (out of 10 points)
Does each answer clearly show that you have read and understood the lesson content? Do you use the key terms properly? Do you apply the lesson content to the "situation" or the context in the assignment?
Analysis (out of 5 points)
Do you examine the meaning and significance of information, details, examples, and situations needed for decisions and identify the relationships among key concepts in order to answer the assignment questions?
Writing Skills (out of 5 points)
Do you write clearly, in complete sentences with minimal errors in grammar and spelling?
Exams
There is a required At-Home Midterm Exam and an At-Home Final Exam for this course. More information about taking these exams will be sent to you from your instructor.
You must complete the midterm exam and the final exam by the dates shown on the course calendar. If you cannot take the exams by the dates they are scheduled, you must communicate with your instructor to request an extension and work out a contract for completing the exam.
You may take your midterm and final exams early if you have completed the assignments and received grades and feedback ahead of schedule.
Copyright Acknowledgements
Some images used in courses are from collections licensed by Rio Salado College.
Submitting Assignments
All assignments are listed under the "Assessing Your Learning" heading in each lesson.
Note to students: Keep a copy of everything that you submit. If your work is lost you can submit your copy for grading. If you
don’t receive your graded assignment or quiz results within two or three weeks after submitting it, please contact your instructor.
The due date listed in your course calendar is the last date on which an assignment can be delivered to the Course Support Office, or
postmarked.
Distance Learning Drop Box
Distance Learning students can now drop off class assignments (in an appropriately addressed envelope) and return library books, videotapes, and/or
cassettes at the Distance Learning Drop Box.
The Drop Box is conveniently located along the curb in front of the Rio Salado building at 2323 W. 14th Street in Tempe.
Mailed Assignments
All mailed assignments must be properly addressed and mailed with adequate postage. Please remember all correspondence to Rio
Salado College must have a return address, an addressee, and the correct postage. The U.S. Postal Service may refuse delivery if
any of these three are missing. All items placed in the Rio drop box must have a return address and an addressee. Please keep a
copy of all work turned in to your instructor. Assignments will not be accepted if postage is due. If you are unsure of the postage required, take
the item to the post office and have it weighed.
Include the course section number and assignment identifier on the envelope below your name and return address. Envelopes that are labeled
incorrectly can cause a delay in processing your work. Address your envelope as shown in this example:
From:
Your Name: Jane Q. Doe
Your Address:
1234 Anywhere Street, Anytown, AZ
Course and Section Numbers:
GPH111, Section 12345
Assignment Identifier:
Essay 1
To:
The Course Support Office Rio Salado College
P. O. Box 63310
Phoenix, AZ 85082-3310
Attn:
(Write your instructor’s name here)
Your section number can be found in your "Welcome Letter".
The Course Support staff cannot answer questions about the receipt of specific mail-in assignments. Only your instructor can do so.
Note to students: Please submit only one assignment in each envelope. The special envelopes provided to you by Rio Salado are only
for computer answer sheets (Scantrons). Please mail all other assignments in separate envelopes.
Note to students: The U.S. Post Office no longer offers Sunday or holiday mail posting, and pick-up does not automatically mean
that your envelope will be posted the same day. To be safe, allow extra time: mail early.
Faxed Assignments
Assignments may be faxed to (480) 377-4728 for print and mixed media courses. Your name, your instructor's name, and the course
name and section numbers must appear at the top of every page. When the Course Support Office receives assignments, they are sent to your
instructor for evaluation. Once your instructor has graded your assignment, they will return it to you.
Protect your hard work. Again, clearly label every page of your assignment with your name, the course and section numbers, your instructors name,
and the name of the assignment as it appears in the syllabus.
Course Completion Policy
A student who registers for a Print or Multimedia course is assigned a start date and an end date. It is the
student's responsibility to note due dates for assignments and to keep up with the course work.
Students may request an extension because of illness or other extenuating circumstances, if they have been doing acceptable work. The instructor
will define the requirements and timelines to complete the course.
Please Note: It is the prerogative of the instructor to decide whether or not to grant the request.
Library Services
The Rio Salado Library is committed to student success and provides a variety of materials and services to enhance student learning. Utilizing Rio’s
online library for your research is the best way to ensure that your sources are validated, authoritative, and appropriate for college-level
coursework. Librarians are available to help you at all times via our Ask a Librarian live chat service. You can access all library services at
https://learnatrio.com/31qeRec.
Academic Misconduct
Academic Misconduct includes cheating, conspiring to cheat, soliciting to cheat, attempting to cheat, plagiarism, fabrication on an assignment, or
other forms of dishonest presentation.
Posting assessments on an unauthorized web site, soliciting assessment answers and the unauthorized acquisition of assessments, assessment answers,
or other academic material is cheating. Turning in content created by essay generators or other types of artificial intelligence platforms is also academic misconduct.
Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the use of paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without
full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling or
sharing of term papers or other academic materials. Information gathered from the Internet and not properly identified is also considered
plagiarism.
We expect every student to produce their own original, independent work. Any student whose work indicates a violation of the
MCCCD Academic Misconduct Policy, including cheating and plagiarism, can expect sanctions as specified in the college catalog. This
policy is located at https://district.maricopa.edu/regulations/admin-regs/section-2/2-3#11.
Rio Salado College uses software that uncovers plagiarism from student to student and other data sources on the Internet. If a student is found to
have plagiarized content, grade consequences will be applied in accordance with departmental policies.
Civility Policy
The faculty of Rio Salado place a high value on the importance of general ethical standards of academic behavior and expect that communication
between students and instructors or among students shall maintain the level of formality and mutual respect appropriate to any college
teaching/learning situation.
Language or behavior that is rude, abusive, profane, disruptive, or threatening will not be tolerated. Activity of this type is defined as Academic
Misconduct in the MCCCD Academic Misconduct Policy (AR 2.3.11). Students engaging in such behavior will be removed from the course
with a failing grade. Additional sanctions may be applied pursuant to AR 2.3.11. This policy is located at
https://district.maricopa.edu/regulations/admin-regs/section-2/2-3#11.
Requirement for Active Class Participation
Please note that students may be withdrawn from class for non-participation.
If you receive financial aid of any kind, it is your responsibility to protect your eligibility to receive financial aid by meeting the active
participation requirements of this class.
Change of Address
Please notify Course Support at (480) 517-8243 or by email at course.support@riosalado.edu. Please include your name, student number, phone number,
and new address including city, state, and zip code.
Classroom Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) and its associated colleges are
committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities to students with documented disabilities (e.g. mental health, attentional,
learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical). Each class/term/semester that a student is in need of academic adjustments/accommodations, the
qualified student is required to work with the Disability Resources & Services Office (DRS) at their individual college(s). Contact with the DRS
should be made as soon as possible to ensure academic needs are met in a reasonable time. New and returning students must request accommodations
each semester through DRS Connect online services. To learn more about this easy process, please contact your local DRS office.
If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations,
you are welcome to contact DRS by using the information listed on the following webpage:
https://district.maricopa.edu/consumer-information/disability-resources/contacts. The DRS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations
for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions qualifying for accommodations/academic adjustments. Reasonable accommodations are
established through an interactive process between you, your faculty, and DRS; and only those academic adjustments/reasonable accommodations granted
by the DRS are recognized by the college and District. It is the policy and practice of the MCCCD to create inclusive and accessible learning
environments consistent with federal and state law.
Retrieved from https://district.maricopa.edu/mandatory-drs-title-ix-syllabus-statements on 09/27/2019.
Rio Salado College Disability Resources & Services
Religious Accommodations
Rio Salado College will reasonably accommodate the religious needs, observances, and practices of their students, when requested and the requests are made in accordance with the procedures set forth in ND-4. Any student may request a religious accommodation by making a written request for an accommodation to the appropriate faculty member using the Religious Accommodation Request form. To the extent possible, requests must be made at least two (2) weeks before the requested absence from class due to religious holiday or day of observance.
Title IX Statement
Addressing Incidents of Sexual Harassment/Assault, Dating/Domestic Violence, and Stalking
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, MCCCD prohibits unlawful sex discrimination against any participant in its
education programs or activities. The District also prohibits sexual harassment—including sexual violence—committed by or against students, District
employees, and visitors to campus. As outlined in District policy, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and
stalking are considered forms of "Sexual Misconduct" prohibited by District policy.
District policy requires all college and District employees in a teaching, managerial, or supervisory role to report all incidents of Sexual
Misconduct that come to their attention in any way, including but not limited to face-to-face conversations, a written class assignment or paper,
class discussion, email, text, or social media post. Incidents of Sexual Misconduct should be reported to the college Title IX Coordinator. MCCCD
will provide on its Title IX Coordinators web page at https://district.maricopa.edu/consumer-information/title-ix/title-ix-coordinators, a link to
all the Title IX Coordinators in the district. Reports may also be reported at https://district.maricopa.edu/consumer-information/reporting.
Retrieved from https://district.maricopa.edu/mandatory-drs-title-ix-syllabus-statements on 09/27/2019.
Rio Salado College Title IX Coordinator
Disclaimer
Course content may vary from this outline to meet the needs of this particular group.
Student Solution Center
Rio Salado College is dedicated to a quality learning experience and has provided the Student Solution Center webpage,
https://learnatrio.com/3DGKHTz, as a resource for students to raise issues to our attention. We look forward to the
opportunity to provide an equitable solution to all involved parties.
For grading or instructional issues, students should first contact their faculty member(s) in accordance with the Instructional Grievance Process at
https://district.maricopa.edu/regulations/admin-regs/appendices/students/s-6, as published in the college catalog.
The Office of Institutional Integrity & Compliance responds to all non-instructional challenges and concerns a student may encounter while
attending Rio Salado College. Call (480) 517-8505 or email studentcomplaints@riosalado.edu.
The Conduct and Community Standards Office is available to assist students in understanding their rights and responsibilities and administers the
Student Code of Conduct policies and procedures. The Conduct and Community Standards Office also works with Academic Affairs to administer the
Academic Code of Conduct. Call (480) 517-8196 or email communitystandards@riosalado.edu.
Students may also contact their state regulatory agency (see https://learnatrio.com/RL-state_authorization), the Arizona
SARA Council at https://azsara.arizona.edu/content/complaint-process or the Higher Learning Commission at
http://www.hlcommission.org/Student-Resources/complaints.html to escalate their concerns.
Contact Rio Salado College
Rio Salado College
Headquarters/Tempe Campus
2323 West 14th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281
In-State (AZ) 480-517-8000
Out-of-State 1-833-RIO-WAVE
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Please give us feedback on your customer service experience.
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