Criminal Justice: Practicum

Instructor:     Javier Moreno

Phone:            (210) 228-1210 Ext 32269

Email:            jamoreno@saisd.net

Tutoring Schedule:

• 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm Monday & Wednesday
• By Appointment

Class Schedule

1^st period: Football / Soccer

2^nd period: Law Enforcement I

3^rd period: Conference

4^th period: Law Enforcement I

5^th period: Practicum

6^th period: Practicum

7^th period: Law Enforcement II

8^th period: Law Enforcement II

Professional Background:

• Å14 years Law Enforcement Experience
• ÅCertified Texas Peace Officer
• ÅBasic Peace Officer Instructor
• Å2 years Adult Correctional Officer
• Å1 year Juvenile Correctional Officer
• ÅCertified Texas Jailer
• ÅAssociate of Arts in Criminal Justice
• ÅBachelor of Science in Occupational Education
• ÅCommission & Non-Commission Security Supervisor
• ÅPrivate Security Instructor
• ÅPrivate Investigator
• ÅCivil Service Processor
• ÅEmergency Management Instructor
• ÅEmergency Management Case Manager

Course:                      Practicum

Grade Placement:     12 (4^th Year Student)

Credit(s):                   1 Elective Credit

Course Description:  This course provides an opportunity to obtain certifications from Texas A&M Engineer Extension online courses, FEMA online courses, UAV certification, and Security Officer level II certification.  The student will also apply for scholarships and colleges and universities which have PLPSCS degrees.  The student will also apply for a career in a correctional, security, dispatch and firefighter agency.  The primary goal of this course is to prepare the student for college or a career immediately upon graduating from high school with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Dept of Criminal Justice, a non-commission security officer, a firefighter or at the age of 20 and a half years old in Law Enforcement.  The student will also have the opportunity to compete in events related to the criminal justice field against other high school students.  

Text Book:     iCEV

Texas A&M Online Resources

                        FEMA Online Resources

                        FAA Online Resources

TEKS:            §130.294

Course Prerequisites:

• ÅSuccessful Completion of Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections, & Security, Law Enforcement I, and Law Enforcement II
• ÅCapable of handling mature subject matter
• ÅCriminal Justice Competition: Skills USA
• ÅExcellent Attendance

Attendance / Tardiness:  To receive credit or a final grade in class, a student in kindergarten – 12th grade must attend at least 90 percent of the days the class is offered. A student who attends at least 75 percent, but fewer than 90 percent of the days the class is offered may receive credit or a final grade for the class if he or she completes a plan, approved by the principal that allows the student to fulfill the instructional requirements for the class. If a student is involved in a criminal or juvenile court proceeding, the approval of the judge presiding over the case will also be required before the student receives credit or a final grade for the class. If a student attends less than 75 percent of the days of class is offered or has not completed a plan approved by the principal, then the student is referred to the attendance review committee to determine whether there are extenuating circumstances for the absences and how the student can regain credit or a final grade lost because of absences. (See policy in FFC)

In determining whether there were extenuating circumstances for the absences, the Attendance Review Committee will use the following guidelines:

· All absences, whether excused or unexcused, must be considered in determining whether a student has attended the required percentage of days. If makeup work is completed, absences for the reasons listed above at Exemptions to Compulsory Attendance will be considered days of attendance for this purpose.

· The committee will consider the acceptability and authenticity of documented reason for the student’s absence.

· The committee will consider the extent to which the student has completed all assignments, mastered the essential knowledge and skills, and maintained passing grades in the course or subject.

· The student or parent will be given an opportunity to present any information to the committee about the absences and to talk about ways to ensure or regain credit or a final grade.

The student or parent may appeal the committee’s decision to the board of trustee’s by filing a written request with the superintendent in accordance with policy FNG (LOCAL). The actual number of days a student must be in attendance in order to receive credit or a final grade will depend on whether the class is for a full semester or for a full year.

A student is considered tardy if:

1. A student is not in his/her assigned area when the class bell rings, and the teacher is unaware of the student’s whereabouts;

2. An elementary/academy student departs from school earlier than the official dismissal time;

3. A student enters his/her assigned area after the class bell rings.

All tardies will be recorded on the student grade card. Each campus has specific tardy consequences that are communicated to the parent/legal guardian.

Note: This school year the criminal justice instructor will require practicum students to call in for any absences or tardy the student is going to acquire during the school year.  The instructor will in turn contact the parent(s)/legal guardian to notify them of the occurrences.

Electronic Devices:  The use of cell phones and other electronic devices, such as MP3 players, on school property is prohibited. For safety purposes, the district permits students to possess cell phones while on campus; however, all cell phones must remain turned off during school hours, including during all testing. With prior approval from the principal and teacher, a student may use personal electronic devices for on-campus educational purposes only.

Any unauthorized use of cell phones or other electronic devices will result in the consequences described in the Student Code of Conduct. 

Academic Dishonesty (Cheating):   Honesty is one of our highest values.  Students are expected to be the sole authors of their work.  Use of another’s ideas must be accompanied by specific citation and reference.  The disciplinary consequences of plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty include non-acceptance of work submitted, written referrals and parent conference.  Plagiarism is the theft of someone else’s idea and work.  Whether the student copies verbatim or simply rephrases the ideas of another without proper credit to the source, the theft is the same.

Standards:     I will facilitate your learning, but the responsibility for academic success rest on your shoulders.  The academic standards are very high in this course.  Because of the nature of some of the topics of this course, a high level of maturity is required.  I am not here to baby sit anyone.  If you cannot act in a mature and respective manner, I will follow the district/school discipline plan.  I will treat you like a young adult, so please act accordingly.  Debates are great learning tools and everyone in this class is free to state their opinion in a professional manner without fear of ridicule or retribution, so respect others opinion.  Please remember to attack the subject matter not the individual.  Classes are 45 – 95 minutes long, I ask that you take care of personal restroom needs prior to class.  If an emergency arises, please ask for a pass and if granted depart the classroom without disturbing/disrupting others.  NO PASSES will be give out for any other reasons. 

Class Format:

• ÅStudents will begin with a warm-up
• ÅThe instructor will discuss the students’ Knowledge of the topic
• ÅThe students will be provided with the Key terms
• ÅStudents are encouraged to ask Questions about the Lessons’ Topic
• ÅStudents will use a chrome book to journal and take notes
• ÅStudent will then be Introduced to the Key Points of the Lesson
  • Students will be shown videos – (some videos may contain profane, vulgar, or abusive language however all contents are for educational purposes in the criminal justice system)
  • Students will engage in discussion
  • Students will be asked questions
  • Students will be given homework
  • Students will be asked to read & write
  • Students will engage in hands-on activities

Course Evaluation:   Grades are not given by me but are earned by you.  The grading system will be based on the average of correct answers based on the length of the assignment.  The grades include a combination of assignments and evaluations.  Daily attendance is worth 20 points, if absent you cannot earn the 20 points.

Items Evaluated

• ÅAssignments, Discussion Participation, Assessments, Hands-on Participation, chapter Quizzes, Test, and Finals.Assignments (60%) & Assessments (40%)

  Grade Scale

• Å90 – 100= A
  • Consistently demonstrates an advance level of quality.Shows mastery in evaluating, synthesizing, and applying the law enforcement principles.All components of the work are complete.
• Å80 – 89 = B
  • Consistently demonstrates an above average level of quality.Characterized by analysis and application of law enforcement principles.Most components of the work are complete.
• Å70 – 79 = C
  • Demonstrates a proficient level of quality.Shows a recognition and comprehension of law enforcement principles.Some components of the work are incomplete.
• Å70 – 74 = D
  • Demonstrates a basic level of quality.Shows limited understanding or comprehension of law enforcement principles.Several components of the work may be incomplete or of poor quality.
• Å0 – 69 = F
  • Demonstrates a below basic level of quality.Shows little or no understanding or comprehension of law enforcement principles.Many components of the work may be incomplete or of poor quality.

Extra Credit: You may do a two page, double spaced, typed research or position paper on any topic regarding the criminal justice field; Law Enforcement, Courts, Corrections, Security, or Fire Services.  You must receive approval from the instructor prior to writing the paper.  A student can write a paper for any missing grade(s).

Materials Needed:    

• ÅChromebook (fully charged)
• ÅA notebook journal with paper for class notes 
• ÅPens (black preferred) and Pencils (#2)

Assignments and Make-up Work:  All assignments are due at the designated time.  Any late assignments will be deducted 10 points for every day it is late, assignments past 5 days will be graded as a 50.   For any class missed, the teacher may assign the student makeup work based on the instructional objectives for the subject or course and the needs of the individual student in mastering the essential knowledge and skills or in meeting subject or course requirements. A student will be responsible for obtaining and completing the makeup work in a satisfactory manner and within the time specified by the teacher. A student who does not make up assigned work within the time allotted by the teacher will receive a grade of zero for the assignment.

Seat Assignment:  Students will be given assigned seats and are to seat at their assigned seat unless permission from the teacher to leave seat.

Written Assignments:  All written assignments are to be completed using complete sentences, proper grammar, and punctuation.  A paragraph will be accepted as three or more complete sentences. Spacing between words should be less than a ¼ inch, large spacing in-between words will not be accepted.

Classroom Rules: 

• ÅBe on Time
• ÅRespect Everyone
• ÅFollow BHS Dress Code
• ÅBe Prepared for Class: Always Bring Materials
• ÅFollow Safety Rules
• ÅNo Food or Drinks Allowed in Building
• ÅNo Cell Phones Usage or Charging in Classroom
• ÅKeep Your Area Clean
• ÅWait to Be Dismissed

Consequences:

• ÅConference: Teacher-Student (Documentation)
• ÅDetention: Before or After School (Documentation)
• ÅPhone Conference: Teacher-Parent (Documentation)
• ÅConference: Teacher-Student-Counselor/Staff (Documentation)
• ÅReferral: Teacher-Student-Parent-Administrator (Documentation)

Course Outline:

• ÅOnline Certifications
• ÅCriminal Justice Competition preparedness
• ÅPhysical Fitness Preparation Course
• ÅSecurity Officer Level II Certification
• ÅUAV Certification
• ÅCriminal Justice Terminology
• ÅScholarship applications
• ÅCollege & University applications
• ÅCommunity Service Projects