Prison Education Staff

New student packets are sent to coordinators with final exams, two semesters prior to enrollment. For example, for fall enrollments, new student packets are mailed out with spring finals, and for spring new student packets are mailed with summer finals.

Seats are limited. Not every site will be allocated new student packets every semester.

For continuing students, applications are always mailed out with finals two semesters prior to enrollment. Students need to complete the application and return it with their final exam. These will then be mailed with the final exam back to FRC. 

One unique aspect of our program is that many course supplies are provided to students at no cost, which is a significant factor for student success.

Course Envelopes: 9 X 12 yellow envelopes are marked for each student with their student information and the course they’re enrolled in. Students will receive a set of seven of these envelopes for each course, each semester. 

The first envelope of each set includes office-hour forms, assignment sheets and lined paper. The assignment sheets go with each module the student completes and is returned to the instructor for grading. The office hour form is a way for the student to communicate with their instructor. 

Lined Paper: Included inside the first envelope of each set are a few sheets of lined paper for the students to use for course-work. Students may ask coordinators for additional lined paper throughout the semester, but it is handed out on a case-by-case basis. 

Blank Paper: This is provided to the Art 116 students to complete course assignments.

Course Packet: The course packet is also in the first envelope, and includes the course syllabus, lecture/supplemental reading material, and homework assignments. Creating a clear and thorough course syllabus is essential. Students refer to the syllabus frequently for clarification about assignments and the course schedule.

FRC provides ISP students with all their course textbooks. Course textbooks are loaned to students each semester, and should be returned at the completion of their final exam.

Prior to the beginning of a semester, textbooks are shipped to each prison for the students enrolled in courses. These are distributed to students by the coordinator. Given the cost of textbooks, extra books are not available. 

Keeping Track of Books

Remember, books are on loan to students, and our Office needs these books back se we can ensure another student’s enrollment.

Each coordinator may come up with a way to track books: what goes out to each student, and what is returned. We recommend that when you receive the course materials and books, make a list (or spreadsheet) with each student’s name, FRC 900#, FRC book number, courses, checkout and return dates.

Some sites note on the final exam ducats that students need to bring their books and turn them in at the time of the final exam.

At the end of finals week please mail all books back to Feather River College.

If a student transfers or paroles please do not let them take FRC books with them.

Students use the same method to submit completed assignments for all their FRC courses. Materials are mailed to the prison sites at least a month prior to the start of a semester. All mailed material is tracked so the office can see delivery/receipt dates. The site coordinator then distributes the course material to enrolled students.

Students are responsible for turning in a module (assignment) from each course in a timely manner –Modules are two weeks, so material should be mailed back to FRC ISP every other Friday. The ISP staff tracks the receipt of the work and then mails it to the appropriate instructor (also tracked). Once the instructor receives the homework, they will assess the work, provide feedback, assign a grade, date and sign the returned material, and send it back to the Feather River College, ISP Office. Students should use the feedback they receive on work to make adjustments and improvements as they continue in the course. 

It takes approximately one week for the mail to arrive at Feather River College. Instructors have one week to grade and return work. Once the ISP office receives the graded work back from the instructor, the ISP staff processes and mails it back to the on-site coordinator to be returned to the student. Again, mailing dates are tracked in case issues arise.

A course may include closed book midterm and final examinations, proctored by an education official at the student’s institution. Information about these exams are in the course packets, which et students know what to study, what to expect, and how their work will be assessed and graded.

Students may use both sides of a one 8X11 page of notes for Math midterms and finals. These notes must be returned with the exams.

Submission of proctored exams should include a completed Proctor Agreement form signed by the student and the proctor.

1. During spring and fall semesters, student work for each module should be submitted every other Friday per the semester Module schedule. A best practice for is for coordinators to gather mail once a week and send it to Feather River College.
2. Make sure that the student envelopes being turned in are not sealed, the ISP Office has put labels  on each envelope with the student’s name, prison site, FRC ID #, CDC #, module # in front of the envelope and the correct course inside.
3. Tracking assignments is a good practice. One way to do this is when you receive an assignment from a student, date the back of the envelope.
4. When you receive the mail back from FRC, please distribute it as soon as possible so students have the feedback from their instructors.

Submitting Midterms and Finals– To ensure timely receipt of the exams, these are sent to the sites three weeks before they are to be proctored. Please fill out the proctor form for each student. During midterm week and later during finals week, please put the completed exams in the mail at the end of each day. If a student has dropped a class, please write dropped across their proctor sheet and include this in the mail this so the ISP Office can make sure the drop has been processed.

When you send out the ducat for finals, please let the students know need to bring their books and all course materials with them. At the end of finals week please mail all books and course materials back to Feather River College. 

Drops

Students may drop courses for any number of reasons. Every site should have drop forms from FRC. This may be filled out and mailed to the ISP Office. Coordinators may also email drop requests to the ISP Office.

If a student drops halfway through the semester, they may receive a W (withdrawal) in the course. It is important to drop early. Failure to withdraw and not complete the course may result in an F grade. 

Specific dates for drop or withdrawals are located on each semester’s Module schedule. Please let the office know if you have not received this schedule.

Re-Add

Sometimes students may need to be re-added to a course. These requests use the same form as the drop requests. Coordinators may also email re-add requests to the ISP Office who will confirm these requests with the course instructor.

We recognize the challenges involved with transcripts requests. There are statewide conversations around this issue that will hopefully result in solutions. FRC is committed to helping students along their educational tracks. This often involves acquiring records.

As part of our program, official transcripts are sent to each education department at the completion of each semester. These can be used for milestone credits. If an FRC student wants additional transcripts for use other than milestone credit, there is a $5 charge for each additional official transcript request. However, students should make these requests through the ISP Office, and let the Office know if they are not able to pay the transcript fee.

If students take one or two courses from FRC and complete their degree at another institution, they should request official transcripts from the institution from which they graduated.  

Click HERE to access the official transcript request form.

Every FRC student has an education plan. ISP students are no different! Each of our students receives their most current student education plan (SEP) from the ISP Office each semester. Students should use these to keep track of their progress toward their degree. It also helps students understand the courses we enroll them in every semester.