Policies and Procedures

SLU Faculty Liaisons and FLSCs will consult with 1818 Instructor about required and optional assessments of student achievement of course learning outcomes.  Common assessments are used to varying extents in sections of SLU courses, including those offered through the 1818 Program. 

1818 Program staff and Faculty Liaisons or FLSCs will collect from 1818 Instructor various forms of assessment data, as well as copies of the assessment instruments themselves.  SLU’s institutional accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission, requires that SLU compare the learning outcomes of students in dual credit courses with those of other student populations.  Results from common assessments are regularly shared with the 1818 Instructor as part of professional development programs focused on academic quality and consistency.  

The 1818 Instructor assigns course grades both for a student’s high school and SLU’s collegiate records.  For the high school record, grades are assigned according to the approved high school grading policy.  For SLU, the 1818 Instructor must follow the SLU grading scale.  This may result in students having two different grades for the same course, one that adheres to the high school’s grading policy and one that adheres to SLU policy.  This is discussed at greater length in the section titled, “High School and SLU 1818 Grade Differences.” The grading system at SLU follows a 0-4.00-point scale.  Quality points for grades are assigned according to this grading scheme.  Individual academic areas may have specific policies and grading scales; the 1818 instructor is responsible for knowing the grading scale and policies for their individual academic area and should work closely with their Faculty Liaison (and FLSC) to articulate any distinctions on the course syllabus.  Information about individual academic area grading scales and policies may be found on the Discipline Resource Site.

The grades earned through the 1818 Program are official SLU grades that will become part of all students’ permanent academic records and transcripts, regardless of a student’s decision to enroll again at SLU after participation in the 1818 Program. 

Instructors must post course grades in SLU’s Banner system, which is SLU’s electronic data system in which all student, faculty, curriculum, grading, and related information is input and maintained. 

In extenuating circumstances (such as a major medical issue for an 1818 student), an extension beyond the end of the scheduled term for the completion of outstanding coursework may be granted with SLU’s approval.  In such cases, a grade of “I”/Incomplete should be submitted for the student. For additional information, please contact the SLU 1818 Program Office for direction at 1818@slu.edu or 314-977-1818.

Grades in the Banner system may be changed by the 1818 Instructor for up to one year following the original grade submission due date for the respective term.  

Students and faculty each have their own rights when a student wishes to appeal a grade. 1818 uses the same grade appeal policies and procedures outlined by SLU’s College of Arts and Sciences. 

SLU 1818 students with learning differences are eligible for accommodations in their SLU 1818 courses.  In order to receive accommodations in SLU 1818 courses, the student must have an approved IEP and/or 504 Plan on file with the partnering high school.  

The SLU 1818 office affirms the following, which are the guiding values of the Center for Accessibility & Disability Resources (CADR).

The Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources:

• Recognizes disability through the framework of equity and inclusion. This prioritizes the destigmatization of the image of disability and promotes disability initiatives on Saint Louis University’s campus.
• Sees disability as holistic, encompassing the mind, the body, and the spirit. We consider all facets of well-being when meeting with students and determining appropriate and reasonable accommodations.
• Exists as a resource for the SLU community as an educational and supportive platform to ensure equitable student experiences are present in all areas of student life on campus.
• Validates students in navigating disability identity and their right to an accessible campus.
• Strives to empower students by encouraging a sense of belonging within the disability community and guiding students to self-advocate and invest in their success.

Taken from the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources (CADR).

There can be differences between what accommodations an IEP designates and what accommodations Saint Louis University courses will permit.  As a result, the 1818 Program and the SLU CADR office have identified which accommodations do not require additional review and approval from CADR; these are accommodations that do not fundamentally alter the 1818 Program course objectives for students with a documented IEP (See Section B). In addition, the 1818 Program and the SLU CADR office have identified which student accommodations require students to contact the SLU CADR office for additional review and approval (See Section A). 

The student (and parents with the FERPA permission from the student) must initiate contact with the CADR office for any accommodations listed in Section A. Accommodations that Require CADR Approval within 10 business days of the student’s initial registration with SLU 1818’s registration system. Once the case has been documented with the SLU CADR, the faculty liaison in consultation with the 1818 Program instructor are then able to discuss and provide the services and accommodations, timeline, and policies, as well as decide what may and may not be allowed for Saint Louis University credit with each student’s situation.

By completing this form, instructors or the designated school contact will share with the CADR office which students in the 1818 Program course have been approved for any accommodations listed in Section A. Should an 1818 Program instructor wish to discuss any of the accommodations that fall under Section A, they should contact CADR.

Section A: Accommodations that Require Further Conversation with SLU CADR  

• Flexible Absences: SLU 1818 instructors must work with individual students to determine the parameters for flexible absences.  SLU 1818 instructors determine how many absences may significantly inhibit student learning. For this accommodation to be valid, the 1818 instructor and student complete the Attendance Agreement Form and submit it to the CADR Office within 5 business days of receipt of the form.  The Attendance Agreement Form allows for course-specific attendance flexibility and arrangements for assignments due the day of an absence. For absences due to disability-related symptoms, the student must notify the instructor in advance or by the end of the day of the class missed. The Attendance Agreement Form will be emailed to the 1818 instructor upon receipt of a Section A Accommodation Reporting form that indicates flexible absences as part of the student’s approved IEP or 504 Plan.
• Permission to Leave: The student has permission to leave the classroom suddenly if disability-related symptoms are acute.
• Alternatives to Participation: Some students may have difficulty formulating an immediate verbal response to questions, speech disfluencies, difficulty reading aloud, etc. If oral expression is NOT a fundamental requirement of the course, you may consider allowing the student to complete an oral assignment using a different format.
• Accommodations requiring financial consideration (technology, interpreter).
• Special Course-Specific Requests:
  • BIO 1240/1245: General Biology 1/General Biology 1 Lab: a service animal accommodation may require additional discussion as it relates to safety and the environment.
  • CHEM-C 101/121 Elementary Chemistry: a service animal accommodation may require additional discussion as it relates to safety and the environment.

SLU CADR Contact Information: 20 N. Grand Blvd., Busch Student Center, Suite 331, accessibility_disability@slu.edu, 314-977-3484

Section B: Accommodations that Do Not Require Additional CADR Approval

Because the following identified accommodations do not fundamentally alter the course objectives for SLU 1818 courses, they may be approved for students with a documented IEP.

• ADMIN
  • Alternative Format Material: All classroom materials and exams must be provided to the student in an alternative format before use.
• CLASSROOM
  • Alternative Format Text: All classroom materials and exams must be available to the student in an alternative format before use. This may include (but is not limited to) braille or accessible electronic formats.
  • Closed Captioning: All videos shown in class must be presented with closed captioning.
  • Closed Captioning/Face Student: Face student when speaking in classroom.
  • Closed Captioning/Film Access: Provide student with access to classroom films.
  • Closed Captioning/Repeat Questions: Repeat questions and summarize comments from classmates.
  • Interpreter: The student requires an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter for lecturers and exam instruction.
  • Laptop: The student may use a laptop or tablet to take notes in the classroom. Improper use of the device such as using it for non-class-related activities will result in the loss of this accommodation.
  • Large Print: Classroom materials and texts must be provided electronically or in a large print format. Font size will be specified in the memo.
  • Notes: Copies of class notes from a peer must be made available to the student unless the notes are posted by the instructor to Canvas.
  • Permission to Eat/Drink: The student has permission to have food and drink in the classroom due to disability-related needs.
  • Permission to Record: The student is allowed to record class lectures and discussions using CADR-approved software – Sonocent, smart pen, or OneNote. The student may not share the recordings with other students. Sharing of recordings would result in removal of this accommodation; using direct quotes would be considered plagiarism and subject to referral to the SLU Office of Academic Integrity.
  • Permission to Stand: The student has permission to stand at the back of the classroom as needed to alleviate disability-related symptoms.
  • Permission to Use Medical Monitor: The student has permission to monitor their medical condition with an electronic device in the classroom.
  • Preferential Seating: The student must be given the opportunity to select a seat that allows the best access to the material or quick access to an exit in case of a medical emergency.
  • Video Description: Verbal description of visual content (i.e. Audio description – AD). Verbalization of visual content (such as videos, images and whiteboard drawings) which conveys the essential elements to the listener. The amount of AD is dependent on the complexity of visuals. This may be pre-recorded (ATAC), an explanation by the instructor, or require the help of an in-class sighted assistant.
• EXAM
  • Alternative Setting (Private): The student must be tested in a private setting with only a proctor present.
  • Alternate Setting (Reduced Distraction): The student must be tested in a distraction reduced environment that is proctored and free from constant interruptions. The number of students in the testing room will be determined by the size of the space. In a typical size classroom that seats about 30-35 students, this would be appropriate for 10 students or less. In a very large lecture hall, up to 30 students may be reasonably tested if they can be spread out and less distracting when finishing the exam at different times.
  • Calculator: The student is allowed a simple calculator (T1-10 or Four-function) for math and math-related tests, quizzes, or exams where basic calculations are not the focus of the assessment or an essential course component. Please note: a calculator is not allowed in basic math courses. Additional permission from the Department of Mathematics may be required.
  • Dictation: The student is permitted to dictate test answers to either voice response adaptive software or another recording device.
  • Extended Time (1.5X): The student is allowed time and a half (an additional 50%) on timed tests, quizzes, exams, and in-class written assignments. Arrangements for unscheduled quizzes should be addressed with student during Memo meeting with the instructor. If needed, contact DSS for alternative recommendations for unscheduled quizzes.
  • Extended Time (1.5X) MATH ONLY: The student is allowed time and a half (an additional 50%) on timed tests, quizzes, exams, and in-class math-related written assignments. Arrangements for unscheduled quizzes should be addressed with student during Memo meeting with the instructor. If needed, contact DSS for alternative recommendations for unscheduled quizzes.
  • Extended Time (2x): The student is allowed double time (an additional 100%) on timed tests, quizzes, exams, and in-class written assignments. Arrangements for unscheduled quizzes should be addressed with student during Memo meeting with the instructor.
  • Extended Time (2x) MATH ONLY: The student is allowed double time (an additional 100%) on timed tests, quizzes, exams, and in-class written math-related assignments. Arrangements for unscheduled quizzes should be addressed to the student during Memo meeting with the instructor.
  • Extended Time (2x) ESSAY ONLY: The student is allowed double time (an additional 100%) on timed essay exams.
  • No Scantrons: The student is permitted to mark answers directly on his/her copy of the exam.
  • Scribe: The student is permitted to dictate test answers to a proctor who will function as a scribe.
  • Spelling Forgiveness: Spelling forgiveness, or the use of an electronic speller for in-class tests, quizzes, exams, and in-class written assignments is permitted when spelling is not the focus of the assessment or an essential course component.
  • Stop the Clock Breaks: The student is allowed to take stop-the-clock breaks on exams. This accommodation is for disability-related symptoms. The student may not leave the exam room and a break is NOT to exceed ten (10) minutes for every 60 minutes of exam time.
  • Test Reader (Software or Proctor): A proctor must read the exam to the student.
  • Word Processor: The student is allowed a word processor for exams with an essay format.
  • Written Instruction: The student requires a written copy of any verbal instructions given prior to a test, exam, or assignment.
• NSO
  • Extended Time (1.5X): Extended time on all timed placement exams. This includes the required foreign language exam as well as any optional exam you must complete such as biology, chemistry, or calculus. This extension is equal to an additional 50% standard time limit.
  • Extended Time (2X): Extended time on all timed placement exams. This includes the required foreign language exam as well as any optional exam you must complete such as biology, chemistry, or calculus. This extension is equal to an additional 100% standard time limit.
• X
  • Animal (Service): Service animals are recognized under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with disabilities. They are permitted in all university buildings and facilities except some laboratories and kitchens for the safety of the dog.

Many SLU 1818 courses have prerequisites that must be satisfied before enrollment in the course.  The 1818 Coordinator in conjunction with the 1818 instructor are responsible for ensuring students meet the prerequisite requirements according to the information shared in the appendix.  

In addition, final grades for prerequisite courses will be checked by the SLU 1818 Program Office at the conclusion of each term.  Students who do not meet the prerequisite guidelines will be dropped by the SLU 1818 Program Office and refunded any paid course fees for the second course.  For example, if a student receives a D in CHEM 1110, they are no longer eligible to take CHEM 1120 since CHEM 1110 is a prerequisite for CHEM 1120.

New partner high schools will be expected to provide information about the high school courses that precede any courses that they wish to begin offering for SLU 1818 credit if those SLU 1818 courses have prerequisites. The Faculty Liaison or FLSC in the affiliated academic discipline will review the course information to determine if it matches the prerequisite course content.

Students who have completed a prerequisite course but who elected not to receive the credit for that course are eligible to enroll in the subsequent course, provided they earned a C- or higher in the course.  That is, if a student took the high school course that is equivalent to SLU 1818 SPAN 1010 but did not register and pay for the credit and earned a C- or higher, that student is eligible to enroll in SPAN 1020.

High schools may offer SLU 1818 courses and Advanced Placement (AP) courses concurrently, provided that the courses adhere to the SLU 1818 curriculum and a SLU 1818 syllabus is used. Course content that is part of the SLU 1818 curriculum must be covered regardless of whether it is a topic covered on the AP exam. Distinctions between the programs differ in many aspects, and in some discipline areas more than others.

It is important for our high school partners to differentiate between a SLU 1818 course and an AP exam in order to maintain the integrity of the SLU 1818 Program. The most obvious difference is how students are assessed for credit. A student’s SLU 1818 grade is comprised of all their assessments and assignments over the semester or academic year, whereas an AP score is determined by one exam in May. Most importantly, a SLU course offered through SLU 1818 is a college course, not just college-level material taught in preparation for one exam. Finally, SLU 1818 instructors are highly credentialed in their academic discipline area and meet SLU’s institutional faculty credentialing standards.

While SLU 1818 recognizes the need for partner schools to maximize course enrollment and teaching assignments, partner schools must maintain classroom environments that are consistent with and reflective of the rigor and expectations of on-campus SLU courses. Partner high schools that offer SLU 1818 courses to non-SLU 1818 students concurrently must consider the expectations of coursework, academic maturity of students, and the pace of the course as dictated by the approved SLU curriculum and course syllabus. The simultaneous enrollment of non-SLU 1818 students should not jeopardize the integrity, academic rigor, or collegiate setting of a SLU course offered via the SLU 1818 Program. 

Saint Louis University is a community of learning in which integrity and mutual trust are vital. Since the mission of the University is "the pursuit of truth for the greater glory of God and for the service of humanity," acts of falsehood violate its very reason for existence.  They also demean and compromise SLU’s primary activities of teaching, research, health care and community service. Since the University seeks to prepare students and faculty for lives of integrity and occupations of trust, it regards all acts of academic dishonesty as matters of serious concern.  Such dishonesty also undermines the academic assessment process, which in turn impairs the ability of the University to certify to the outside world the skills and attainments of its graduates.  Such dishonesty allows those who engage in it to take unfair advantage of their peers and undermines moral character and self-respect. 

SLU’s Academic Integrity Policy sets out principles that are implicit in the ethos of the University but that call for explicit formulation to guide the practice of the entire institution.  In establishing necessary definitions and minimal procedures to be followed in adjudicating violations, it also allows academic units to set forth the details of their own honesty policies in ways appropriate to their disciplines.  Because the vast majority of 1818 Program courses are offered by SLU’s College of Arts and Sciences, the College’s Academic Integrity policy is linked here. 1818 Program faculty and students are responsible for knowing and abiding by these policies.  

Student course evaluations (SCEs) play an important role in faculty efforts to strengthen their instruction and overall course quality. The primary purpose of end-of-term SCEs is to solicit feedback from students that informs faculty efforts to improve their course designs and pedagogy.  This includes related improvement efforts offered by departments and colleges/schools/centers, as well as related programming offered by the Reinert Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning.  

SLU will send end-of-term SCEs for all 1818 Program courses, every term. End-of-term SCE data may not be used for any purpose other than those expressly detailed in SLU’s full Course Evaluation Policy.

Per SLU’s Policy, course instructors will not have access to SCE data (via reports produced by SLU’s Office of Assessment) until after they have submitted all final course grades.  

Voluntary Nature of SCEs

Neither faculty nor academic administrators may require student submission of an SCE for any course; end-of-term SCEs, administered first and foremost for the purpose of improving course design and pedagogy, must be entirely voluntary for all students.  No incentives (including but not limited to course extra credit, faculty’s timely submission of final grades, students being excused from a course assignment, cash, donuts, or any other form of compensation, etc.), may be offered to any student to solicit submission of an SCE. 

SCE Data Access

Access to end-of-term SCE data is strictly controlled. The following parties have access to SCE data: Individual 1818 Instructor in the courses they taught, their 1818 Program Faculty Liaisons, the associated SLU Department Chairs and Deans, and selected members of the Office of the Provost.

1818 Instructors can access their course evaluation through their MySLU account under the “Blue Course Evaluations” app.

Partner High Schools must commit to adhering to SLU’s eligibility requirements for students to enroll in Program courses.  SLU’s requirements are governed by national accrediting bodies, and in many cases, state boards of higher education whose approval SLU often needs to offer the 1818 Program in certain states.

To be eligible to enroll in an 1818 Program course(s), students must meet the following requirements:

• Juniors and seniors must have a minimum (cumulative, weighted) 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and electronic approval of the 1818 course instructor or 1818 Partner Coordinator.
• Sophomores are eligible to enroll in 1818 courses in certain circumstances, to include sequenced 1818 courses in computer science, mathematics, and world languages. Sophomores may be approved by 1818 partners to enroll if the students have:
  • a minimum (cumulative, weighted) 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale and
  • completed the prerequisite course(s) with a grade(s) of “B” or higher and
  • a signed letter of recommendation from the principal and guidance counselor attesting to the student’s suitability to take this course for college credit and
  • written permission from a parent or legal guardian and
  • electronic approval of the 1818 course instructor or 1818 Partner Coordinator
• Freshmen are not eligible to enroll in 1818 courses.

Students who wish to enroll in 1818 courses may enroll in a maximum of 11 credit hours per semester. For yearlong classes, the credit bearing will be split between the fall and spring semester. For example, a 3-credit-hour yearlong course will be considered 1.5 credit hours in the fall semester and 1.5 credit hours in the spring semester.

From the point of initial registration in an 1818 course through the designated “drop deadline” (consult the 1818 Program Academic Calendar) each term, students may make changes to their 1818 course registration(s) using the DualEnroll system.  Students may “drop” their course in DualEnroll. DualEnroll calls this “abandoning” a course.

Dropping an 1818 Program course after the published “drop deadline” is not allowed.  Exceptions are rare and are typically limited to major medical and personal/family issues that preclude the student’s participation in both the high school and 1818 college course. 

Withdrawing from an 1818 course may occur during the period after the “drop deadline” and through the “withdraw deadline.” Students will be assigned a “W” for the affected course and will not be eligible for a refund of any fees paid.  Students who withdraw must pay fees in full to obtain their academic transcript and to register for any subsequent terms in the SLU 1818 Program or at Saint Louis University.  Students who wish to withdraw from SLU 1818 credit should contact the SLU 1818 Program Office to inform us of their change in their enrollment status.

Students who are no longer physically enrolled in the high school class that carries SLU 1818 credit must contact the SLU 1818 Program Office to inform us of the change in their status.  If the student is no longer physically enrolled in that class and the drop deadline has passed, the student will be assigned a “W” for the course(s) and will not be eligible for a refund of any fees paid and must pay fees in full to obtain their academic transcript and to register for any subsequent terms in the SLU 1818 Program or at Saint Louis University.  This applies to students who leave their high school while enrolled in a SLU 1818 course.

Accreditation guidelines stipulate that SLU 1818 may not permit retroactive credit.  Students must register online for all SLU 1818 courses for which they wish to receive credit by the posted registration deadlines.  

SLU 1818 Instructor Issues

Teacher Leave Concerns

If a high school partner faculty member leaves their position for any reason (resignation, leave of absence, etc.) during the school year, the 1818 Coordinator should notify the SLU 1818 Program Office within 2 weeks of the instructor’s absence from the classroom.  An instructor who meets SLU faculty credentialing expectations should replace the departing instructor within that 2-week period in order to ensure that the course retains its integrity as a college course. Depending on the length and nature of the original instructor’s leave, the replacement instructor may be asked to complete a new instructor application and provide graduate transcripts confirming their credentials.  

Should a partner high school be unable to satisfy the expectation of hiring a replacement instructor who meets SLU faculty credentialing expectations, the 1818 Coordinator should contact the SLU 1818 Program Office immediately to discuss a resolution.  In rare cases, 1818 Program courses at partner high schools may have to be canceled, either mid-term or mid-year, when appropriately qualified faculty cannot be found to replace approved instructors who are unable to complete teaching their course(s).  This is a burden unique to the dual-credit environment, and one that could be exacerbated by a pandemic or another major cause of disruption to the educational environment.  While SLU will work with partner schools to exhaust all possibilities before reaching such a decision, partner schools must be aware of this reality and the implications of it for their students.          

Site Visit Concerns

On rare occasions, a classroom observation may reveal that greater course alignment is needed between the SLU 1818 course as it is taught in the high school and the on-campus course.  Typically, the misalignment of the course is caused by one of the following:

• The course content does not match the on-campus course.
• The course rigor does not match the on-campus course. 
• The course pedagogy does not align with discipline-specific standards as articulated in the affiliated academic department and shared via annual professional development and new instructor on-boarding.

In these circumstances, the Faculty Liaison and/or Faculty Liaison Support Coordinator will take the following steps:

1. Speak to instructor, expressing concerns and providing clear examples. 
2. The Faculty Liaison (and FLSC) will make specific recommendations for improvement and plan to visit again within 8-12 weeks, whatever is reasonable both to be timely and to offer the instructor the opportunity to improve.  The information will be shared with the 1818 Instructor via the Site Visit Report.
3. Conduct second visit. 
   1. If site visit or observation reveals needed alignment in one or more areas, such as is noted above, proceed to number 5.
   2. If site visit or observation reveals improvement in all areas, proceed to number 4.
4. Share Site Visit Form with 1818 Instructor; no further action is needed.
5. The Faculty Liaison (and FLSC) will make specific recommendations for improvement and share that with the instructor via the Site Visit Report.  Included in this report may be the following: 
   1. A step-by-step development plan that addresses deficiencies noted during the observation.
   2. A plan to re-visit the class within a reasonable period.  What is reasonable will vary by instructor, course, and timing of both the visit and when the course is offered. 
6. The Faculty Liaison (and FLSC) will send the Site Visit Report to the on-site 1818 Coordinator at the high school and building administrator, informing them of the need for a professional growth plan and the consequences for continued misalignment.
7. Conduct third visit.
8. At the conclusion of the third site visit one of two recommendations will be made: 
   1. If the instructor has made satisfactory progress toward the professional growth plan, the instructor will continue to be in good standing with the 1818 program. The Faculty Liaison (and FLSC) will share that with the instructor, the Coordinator, and the building administrator via the Site Visit Report.  No further action is needed.
   2. If the instructor has not made satisfactory progress toward the professional growth plan and deficiencies in the course are noted in one or more areas (see above), the course will be removed as an 1818 Program Offering effective with the next academic term.  Notice will be sent to the 1818 Instructor, on-site Coordinator, and building administrator immediately. 

Pandemic/Emergency Planning

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed that unplanned modifications to instruction in content, modality, or faculty assignment are even more challenging in a dual credit context.  SLU’s institutional standards and accreditation requirements mandate that our 1818 Program courses mimic those taught on-campus at SLU.  That means that SLU might not be able to support a high school’s move to either synchronous or asynchronous distance education even when the move is caused by a pandemic, natural disaster, or other major emergency.          

If your school plans to move to any form of distance learning for any 1818 course, your 1818 Coordinator should immediately contact the 1818 Program office for guidance.  What your high school might consider an acceptable curriculum or pedagogical accommodation, including a pandemic or other natural disaster/emergency, SLU might not and vice versa.  This is especially true in the context of courses with experiential components, such as science labs. 

Accommodation can be made, but any changes must be discussed with and approved by your SLU Faculty Liaisons prior to implementation.