Student Handbook

1.Be able to read, write and speak English
2. Have a high school diploma or equivalent
3. Be able to lift 50 pounds (a tire and wheel)
4. Be able to climb a flight of stairs
5. Be able to work in temperatures over 85f
6. Have a passion for cars
7. Have a valid drivers license or be qualified to obtain one
8. Be able to physically drive many different types of cars
9. Be able to work with others
10. Be able to handle a challenging career
11. Pass the entry exam for Math and English, a passing score is 70% or higher.

High School Diploma

Any of the following will be accepted as a high school diploma or equivalent.

A. Graduates from any public high school in the United States or territories with a standard diploma, per Florida Statute 1007.263
B. Applicants with a Florida public high school withdrawal (completion) code eligible for college credit admission, as defined by the Florida Department of Education.

C. Graduates from non public high schools in the United States and its territories that do not require validation.
D. Anyone awarded a Department of Education high school equivalent (GED) diploma in the United States and its territories.

E. Home schooled students with a signed affidavit from their parent or legal guardian stating that the home schooler completed a Florida home education program, per Florida Statute 1002.41
F. Graduates with the foreign equivalency of a United States high school diploma that meets the admission requirements to a recognized institution of higher education in their home country with original documentation that shows all the requisite seals and notaries . Wereserves the right to require a certified official English translation if the language used in the documents is not English. Students who do not have the requisite seals and notaries on the original foreign high school documentation may opt to obtain an official evaluation of their credentials from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member organization. The list of member organizations may be found at www.naces.org

G. International students who meet the admission requirements specified in A-F and require a college credit student visa must also provide all of the following supplementary information prior to the beginning of the term for which the students seek admission a. Statement of financial resources available to support their educational expenses and a Certificate of health and accident insurance

Clock Hour

A clock hour is a 60 minute period of time that contains 50 to 60 minutes of class, lecture, recitation, faculty-supervised laboratory, shop or internship.

Course Numbering System

Course designations are based on a four letter code denoting the subject area of the course and a three digit code denoting the academic level of the course. Course digits with a prefix of 0 are non college level courses. Courses with a prefix of 1 are college level courses with no required prerequisites. Courses with a prefix of 2 are intermediate to advanced level courses that require certain prerequisites before they can be taken. The most common prerequisite course is AUTO

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161 Basic Electrical, which is required to be completed prior to every intermediate to advanced level course. The second digit denotes the subject area of a course. The third digit is a further refinement as to the level of the course. A higher third digit denotes a higher level of the course.

Semester Credit Hour

A semester credit hour is based on a Carnegie Unit. 1 hour of lecture per week, with 2 hours of homework, for 16 weeks is 1 semester credit hour. For laboratory time, 3 hours of laboratory time for 16 weeks is also 1 semester credit hour. Laboratory time can also be used in place of a homework hour in the first example. Courses may be truncated, but the number of hours that normally would have been completed over 16 weeks must remain the same. So in the first example 1 semester credit hour equals 16 hours of class time and 32 hours of homework, or in the second example 48 hours of laboratory time, or even 16 hours of class time, 16 hours of homework and 16 hours of laboratory time. Thus, a 4 semester credit hour course could be structured as: 44 hours of class time, 86 hours of homework and 66 hours of laboratory.

ASE Compensation Policy

If a student achieves 100% attendance in the associated classes and earns an “A” for those classes, then at the completion of the program the school will pay for ASE registration and schedule the student for the appropriate related ASE certification tests for which these standards are met. If the student achieves 100% attendance in the associated classes and earns a “B”, then 50% of the cost will be paid. If the student achieves 100% attendance in the associated classes and earns a “C”, then 25% of the cost will be paid.

Holiday Schedule

January 1st, New Years Day
May 27th, Memorial Day
July 4th and 5th, Independence Day Weekend September 2nd, Labor Day
November 27th, 28th and 29th, Thanksgiving Weekend December 23rd through the 31st, Winter Break

Dress Code

Students will be required to wear dark slacks in good repair and of proper size no loose clothing allowed, no shorts, shoes must be appropriate for working in a shop and must be in good repair and have anti slip oil resistant soles. Hats, only ball caps of dark colors allowable. No words other than shop names or school logo or name allowed on the exterior of any clothing. Tucking in shirts is required for safety as well as training. Otherwise all black-t shirts or company uniform can be worn.

Teaching Strategies

A variety of methods may be used including but not limited to . Power points, videos, lecture, hands on projects, classroom exercises, puzzles, learning games, competitions, demonstrations, discussion, simulations, writing assignments, and on-line training resources.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Students are required to maintain satisfactory progress throughout their training and be in compliance with institutional and state mandated policies. Satisfactory progress is measured both by attendance as well as academic performance. Students must meet the attendance standard as well as the academic standard on an ongoing basis in order to be considered to be making satisfactory progress. Failure to adhere to thee standards may lead to placing the student on probation.

Attendance Requirements

Students must attend 70% of the hours they are scheduled to attend. Missing more than 30% of an individual course is a failure of course. Exceptions to this rule may be granted on a case by case basis, e.g. due to verified medical or jury duty records. Work must be made up in order to get graded. This course is very intense and no tasks may be missed. Any tasks missed must be made up. If it is prearranged up to 1 week may be made up in advance at the discretion of the instructor.

Makeup Work

All make up work must be completed before the final exam for the class. If discussed in a civil manner some exceptions may be made by the Instructor based on prior track record and grades for up to 30 days after final exam.

Grades

Grades will be available for review within a week after class completion. Test results and homework will be a strong assessment tool, as well as lab sheets. It is a student’s responsibility to place them in their files every day when completed.

90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
59 or below = F

Students earning a grade D or above is considered passing.

Instructors have a lot to say on the grades, just like when you’re working in the field you need to make a good impression on your supervisor. Attitude is a huge part of success in any field. It never hurts to ask for assistance.

Instructor Availability

These courses will require a great deal of personal effort but if there is a problem please speak with the instructor and ask for assistance, if necessary tutoring is available. Do not let anything escalate. If an issue is unable to be resolved at the instructor level please feel free to approach management: our doors are always open.

Academic Assistance

Academic assistance is always available upon request. Instructors and faculty are here first and foremost to help you. Please seek out assistance early so that small issues do not compound into larger ones. Failure to seek out assistance early may lead to a student being placed on Academic Probation.

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify. Financing is available through the school, either in house or potentially through designated third parties.

Mentoring/Student Assistance

Non-academic/financial assistance is also available. Financing is available through the school, either in house or potentially through designated third parties.

Academic Probation

A student who fails a course, either due to attendance issues or receiving a failing grade, will be placed on Academic Probation. Students on Academic Probation will be required to meet with faculty in order to assess the issues which led to being placed on Academic Probation as well as the necessary actions to remedy the situation. Failure to follow the recommendations may result in Academic Dismissal.

Appeals and Readmission

Students who wish to appeal their Academic probation or dismissal for academic reasons must do so in writing within 30 days. Those who have been dismissed for academic reasons will not be considered for readmission to the program for at least a full year from the date of their dismissal.

Complaint and Appeal Policy

If a student has an issue with any person or policy in the facility, whether it concerns academic probation, dismissal or otherwise, please bring it to the attention of a facility member, or management, and it will be discussed and addressed. Complaints should be made in writing, with either a hard copy sent to 8600 NW South River Drive, Unit 4, Medley FL 33166 or an email to andrew@sftec.org. Complaints should contain any and all pertinent information related to the issue that the student has available.

Within 7 days upon receiving a complaint management and faculty will review the allegations. If further information is needed a letter will be sent to the complainant outlining the requested information. If no further information is needed management will act on the allegation and a letter will be sent to the complainant detailing the steps taken to resolve the problem or information showing that the allegations were not warranted or based in fact.

If the complainant desires to pursue the matter further, please write a letter or send an e-mail to the Commission for Independent Education 325 W. Gaines St., Ste 1414, Tallhassee FL 32399-0400. Please note that the complainant should try to resolve any problems through the school’s complaint procedure before filing a complaint with the Commission for Independent Education. If sending a complaint to then Commission please include the following information:

Name of Student (or Complainant) Complainant Address
Phone Number
Name of Institution

Location of the Institution (City) Dates of Attendance

A full description of the problem and any other documentation that will support your claim such as enrollment agreements, correspondence, etc.
The complaint process of the Commission involves contacting the institution to obtain their response to your complaint. If you do not want the Commission to contact the institution you are attending, you must state so in your complaint; however, doing so will greatly hinder the Commission’s ability to assist you with your complaint.

Fighting anger hostility is all unacceptable

All state and federal laws pertaining to discrimination harassment and crimes must be obeyed. Any breach of any law may be terms for dismissal, suspension or disciplinary action. This Includes driving laws with in 1/4 miles of the entrance or exit of the school. If there is a problem step away do not let it escalate. Part of being a responsible student and adult is to get along with others.

Disruptive Behavior

Students that continuously disrupt the education of other students will be warned they are affecting the education of other students. If they continue to cause problems they may be asked to leave. Dismissal from the program can only happen at the management level and there must be a meeting with at least 1 controlling member present to proceed to expulsion from the program. Students are expected to keep reasonable personal hygiene as not to disrupt others or damage facilities.

Refund Policy

Any request of cancellation must be made in writing. Cancellation before the start of class, or within 3 days of the start of class, will result in a full refund. Cancellation after attendance has begun, through 40% completion of the program, will result in a Pro Rata refund computed on the number of hours completed to the total program hours. Cancellation after completing more than 40% of the program will result in no refund. If the Student misses class or fails to turn in required work for ten consecutive School Days that Student will be considered a drop and the cancellation shall be considered effective as of the date the student last attended. Any refunds issued will be done within 30 days of the date of cancellation.

School Property

School property is not allowed to be removed from the school by the student, whether known or not, without prior authorization and may lead to dismissal of the student and/or criminal charges.

Pictures

The school reserves the right to post pictures on social media and other advertisements. If you are in a picture you do not like or agree with or feel is not in good taste you can ask to have it removed but the school reserves the right to the picture. The school will not offer any compensation for the use of the picture or the information. No compensation is implied or will be given.

Cleaning Policy

Students are expected to clean up after themselves, and to keep a neat and orderly work environment.

Employment Placement Services

The school offers employment placement assistance but no guarantee of placement shall be assumed or implied. We do try our best to get all of our students placed but a great deal has to do with each individual student’s ability to obtain a job. Most of our students obtain great jobs in the field, but if a student does not try, has a bad attitude or is unable to act like a professional it will be extremely difficult to assist him or her in obtaining employment.

South Florida Technical Training Managing Members and Staff

SFTEC is a limited liability company with two members who run and operate all aspects of the school.

Brian LaCroix, Founder, Associates of Automotive Science, Denver Automotive and Diesel College Approximately 20 years experience working in the automotive field. He has worked for Chevrolet, Chrysler, Mercedes Benz as well as owning and operating an independent shop. Further he has approximately 10 years experience working as an automotive instructor at ATI Career Trianing Center and South Florida Tehcnical Trainig and he as approximately 5 years working as an administrator. Brian is responsible for teaching automotive courses and laboratory instruction.

Andrew LaCroix, Controller, Bachelor of Arts English and History, Lafayette College, Master of Business Administration, University of Illinois
He has approximately 4 years experience working in the automotive field and appropriately 5 years working as an administrator.

Andrew is responsible for teaching General Education Core as well as assisting in laboratory instruction.

The examinations test are administered by a third-party and are through the National Institute For Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). ASE is accepted by Miami Dade county to get your Mechanics Certification. ASE is the most accepted and/or required certification by automotive employers in the United States.

Accreditation

We are accredited by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), a nationally recognized organization that certifies Automotive Technicians and Service Professionals via written examinations. An ASE certified technician is viewed more favorably by employers and achieving ASE certification is a desired quality or even a prerequisite for many automotive positions, including positions in government employment. This fact being understood we must include the following disclaimer:

THE ACCREDITING AGENCY(S) OR ASSOCIATION(S) LISTED BELOW IS/ARE NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AS AN APPROVED ACCREDITING AGENCY. THEREFORE, IF YOU ENROLL IN THIS INSTITUTION, YOU MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR TITLE IV FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, STATE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, OR PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION. IN ADDITION, CREDITS EARNED AT THIS INSTITUTION MAY NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR TRANSFER TO ANOTHER INSTITUTION, AND MAY NOT BE RECOGNIZED BY EMPLOYERS.

National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) ATMC Automotive Training Management Counsel
NATEF National Automotive Technician Education Foundation

Transferability of Credit

The transferability of credit is at the discretion of the accepting institution, and it is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not the credits will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice. We are in no way trying to say or imply that our credits are transferable to another institution unless another institution willingly accepts them. That said the credit system we use to calculate credit hours is the standardized credit system used by accrediting bodies recognized by the Department of Education. For transfers into our program we do not accept credit for automotive classes but will accept credit for general education classes from a recognized Department of Education school. In order to verify these credits we need transcripts from the incoming student’s prior institution; a passing grade will be sufficient. If the incoming student’s transfer credit is in a class not offered by this institution it will be considered an adequate substitution of a similar subject area. In addition to institution credit we will also accept adequate scores on specific Advanced Placement tests as equivalent to specific core courses. A score of a “4” or “5” will be considered acceptable. Tests accepted are: