**ePORTFOLIO AND ACADEMIC PORTFOLIO ARTIFACTS
All ECE students are required to create an ePortfolio as part of the requirements for passing each course in the ECE sequence. Your ePortfolio is a record of who you are and your learning at BMCC in each of the programs; it will accompany you as you continue your education beyond BMCC. Your ePortfolio contains several parts: a Personal Profile, Academic Artifacts from all of your ECE courses, records of your fieldwork, your resume, and your Co-Curricular Transcript. Creating this ePortfolio will allow you to access and share these materials with your future academic institutions and also prospective employers.
BLACKBOARD
The Blackboard Platform (“Blackboard”) is a virtual learning environment that many professors will use in ECE courses. Additionally, any ECE course that runs in a hybrid or online format will take place in the Blackboard platform. Blackboard can be used for discussion forums, to post readings and class notes, to give assignments, to make assignments, and to keep a grade book. Professors may use all, some or none of these features in your classes. Training in the use of Blackboard is available through the e-Learning center: http://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/elearning/ . To access Blackboard, go to www.cuny.edu, click LOGIN in the top, right-hand navigation and enter your regular BMCC email ID/ password. If you do not know your BMCC email ID/Password, you can obtain this information in Room S112.
STUDENT PROFESSIONALISM POLICY
ECE students have entered into a professional preparation program. This means that they are required to conduct themselves at all times, both on campus and at fieldwork experiences, with the mannerisms and attitudes that characterize an early childhood professional. The Teacher Education Department at BMCC defines professional behavior in alignment with the National Association of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethics [http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf] and the New York State Education Department Code of Ethics for Educators [http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/pdf/codeofethics.pdf]. The key components of these codes include:
- Basing work with children on the current knowledge and research of child development;
- Respecting the dignity, worth and uniqueness of each individual (child, family member and colleague);
- Help children and adults achieve their full potential in the context of relations that are based on trust, respect and positive regard.
The essence of these codes is that you, as an educational professional in training, WILL NOT cause physical or emotional harm to others. This is the highest principle that you are held to in the BMCC ECE program.
Specific behaviors that are against professional practice and that are grounds for program discipline are:
- Engaging in discriminatory practices
- Using inappropriate language
- Engaging in violent or other inappropriate behavior for an educational setting
- Being alone/un-supervised with a child or children in an educational setting
- Neglecting responsibilities as outlined in course syllabi and program guidelines
Depending on the severity of the non-compliance, students failing to abide by the professional codes and behavioral standards may be subject to the following actions.
- Conference with Teacher Education Faculty directly involved in the incident and/or Department Chair including written documentation of the incident and plan for changing behavior filed with the department.
- Conference with Teacher Education Faculty directly involved in the incident, Department Chair and review by the ECE Faculty Professional Standards Review Committee. Upon review, the Faculty Professional Standards Review Committee may provide an academic warning and/or written documentation of the incident and plan for changing behavior filed with the department and academic counseling.
- Review by the Faculty Professional Standards Review Committee, Teacher Education Faculty and Professional Standards Review Committee; academic warning and written documentation of the record of behavior filed with the department, academic counseling and the Dean of Students with possible recommendation for further disciplinary action.
CUNY Disciplinary Policy
Any student violating the code of behavior or any law or regulation established by the College, and by the city, state or federal government (including the use of drugs) shall be subject to formal disciplinary procedures as outlined in Articles 15.3 to 15.5 of the Board of Higher Education Bylaws and sanctions as listed in the Board of Higher Education Bylaws and Article 129A of the Education Law. The initiation of disciplinary procedures requires a pre-disciplinary hearing before a counselor from the Office of the Dean of Students as set up in line with the requirements of the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees immediately following Revised 22-March-2016 – 38 – an incident which is judged to be an infraction of law or Behavior Code to determine whether or not the case should be referred to the Student-Faculty Disciplinary Committee. As a result of emergency or extraordinary circumstances, a student may be suspended for a period not to exceed seven (7) schools days. A hearing must be held within that same time period unless the student agrees or consents to an extension of the time.
If the charges are of sufficient nature and have not been settled at the pre-disciplinary hearing, a formal hearing will be scheduled before the Student-Faculty Disciplinary Committee as specifically outlined in Article 15.3 of the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees.
Students, as a result of this hearing or failure to appear at the hearing, may be subject to immediate and permanent suspension which may apply to all units of The City University of New York. All students involved will be advised of the various levels of appeal under the Bylaws of the Board of Higher Education.
This policy statement is presented to ensure that all members of the department work, learn and grown in a positive, supportive atmosphere.
