Modified Course Expectation (MCE)
Faculty
The occasional MCE is a disability-related accommodation that adjusts assignment deadlines, exam dates, attendance, and other course expectations, without fundamentally altering the objectives of the course/program. These modifications are typically needed for students whose disability impacts are chronic/episodic in nature. MCEs are only to be engaged when students experience a debilitating manifestation of their disability and are unable to meet a deadline, take an exam at the scheduled time, attend class, etc. The following points are addressed in this FAQ.
- Students should contact OARS as early as possible if an MCE may be needed. Modifications may not be made retroactively.
- Course modifications, such as changes in attendance expectations and assignment deadlines are determined on a course-by-course and case-by-case basis.
- MCEs must be assessed and approved by OARS professionals and will then be listed in the accommodation letter.
- Students and instructors should discuss how MCEs will be implemented (e.g., accessing missed course content, making up any missed course activities, etc.), as soon as possible.
- Additional absences may not be reasonable for many labs, classes that are performance/activity-based, group work, classes that meet less than three times weekly, are short term (e.g., eight weeks or less), or that already have more than three absences allowed without penalty. Discuss these and other concerns with OARS.
Generally, frequent absences and/or extensions for all/most due dates are not considered reasonable. Planning, preparing, working, and meeting deadlines are part of the expectations for college-level students. Unexpected illness or injury, recent diagnosis, onset or change in condition, etc. may warrant a withdrawal from a course or, when appropriate, an incomplete grade. Please discuss these occurrences with OARS.
Login to the OARS Portal with your UNCG credentials and review accommodations for each student.
If there are concerns about how accommodations will be implemented, instructors should schedule time to meet with the student as soon as possible. This conversation can be in person, virtual, or via email. Document these conversations. If any accommodations need to be negotiated, consult with OARS.
Occasionally, students may need instructors to modify course expectations and policies regarding assignment deadlines, exam dates, and class attendance requirements when the student has a disability that is typically chronic or episodic.
The adjustments outlined in their letter from OARS may only be used when the student experiences a disability-related flare-up, preventing attendance or timely completion of work. If an MCE is in the accommodation letter, OARS has verified the need, and documentation should not be requested from the student.
It is not reasonable or expected for faculty to fundamentally alter, waive, or lower essential course requirements, academic standards, or educational experiences/outcomes when implementing accommodations. The Department of Education (DOE), Office of Civil Rights (OCR) requires that OARS be consulted regarding course-specific adjustments and before denying any accommodation. OARS: 336/334-5440 or via email at oars@uncg.edu. Things to consider include:
- Does the accommodation alter course objectives?
- Are there assignments or activities not eligible for an extension (e.g., in class activities, group projects, interactive discussion/discussion posts, etc.)?
- Is the student demonstrating adequate knowledge of the material and meeting essential objectives?
- Is the student completing work, even if late?
Have any alternatives been considered that would meet objectives?
My course policies do not allow late assignments and/or additional absences; may I disregard these accommodations?
- Adjustments to policies/procedures are one way that the OCR determined disability offices may provide accommodations (unless they result in a fundamental alteration). The Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, requires that faculty consult with OARS to determine fundamental alteration status.
- Instructors may be required to modify course expectations to disabled students that are beyond what non-disabled students are permitted under other circumstances.
Example: If you generally allow students to miss four classes without a grade impact, allow six absences for a student with a 2-day attendance MCE.
Adjustments to policies/procedures are one way that the OCR determined disability offices may provide accommodations (unless they result in a fundamental alteration). The Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, requires that faculty consult with OARS to determine fundamental alteration status.
- Instructors may be required to modify course expectations to disabled students that are beyond what non-disabled students are permitted under other circumstances.
Example: If you generally allow students to miss four classes without a grade impact, allow six absences for a student with a 2-day attendance MCE.
Yes, attendance and participation are important parts of learning class material. Unlimited and excessive absences may not be reasonable to obtain course objectives. Class grades based on attendance may be impacted, even with an MCE, if class participation is a fundamental requirement. The Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, requires that faculty consult with OARS to determine fundamental alteration status.
Please communicate with OARS immediately to discuss any academic adjustments that would impede a student’s ability to achieve the course objectives. UNCG is not required to make adjustments that would “fundamentally alter” the curriculum. The Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, requires that faculty consult with OARS to determine fundamental alteration status.
Yes, it is allowed. Please communicate with OARS and the student when the student is approaching the maximum allowed absences so that OARS can reinforce the attendance requirements and help the student develop strategies to meet the expectations for your course.
Please communicate with the student and OARS prior to initiating the withdrawal.
Class grades based on attendance may be impacted even with an MCE. Attendance and participation are important parts of learning class material. Missing classes may prevent participation in activities that cannot be made up and critical information may be missed. Missing vital class activities or several class sessions may result in a grade reduction. For some classes (such as labs, activities, speakers, etc.), attendance may be a fundamental requirement. If an MCE would result in a fundamental alteration of course requirements, for which there is not a reasonable alternative, the accommodation may not be reasonable.
- Discuss with students about any percentage of the course grade that may be based on active participation and consider any alternatives that would meet the objectives.
- For some classes, excessive absences may result in the need to seek an incomplete (if the work can be made up) or a withdrawal from the course.
The Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, requires that faculty consult with OARS to determine fundamental alteration status.
Assignments may be in the syllabus on Day One, but students may not have access to all the material needed to complete the assignment until later in the semester. For example, if a 5- page paper is listed in the syllabus and due two months later, yet the topic/materials aren’t presented/available in class until a week before it’s due, this accommodation would allow the student another three (3) days to complete the paper if they experienced a flare-up of their disability. Likewise, an assignment given Monday and due Friday, may also result in a need for an additional three (3) days to complete it.
The Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, requires that faculty consult with OARS to determine fundamental alteration status.
The DOE/OCR requires that the process affirms the following:
- The decision is made by professionals who are knowledgeable and experienced in the subject area. The decision makers should consider:
- Classroom interactions
- Does the type of course and student participation constitute a significant component of the learning process?
- Does the course’s fundamental nature rely on student participation as an essential method for learning?
- To what degree does a student’s failure to attend constitute a significant loss to the educational experience of other students in the class?
- Is this addressed on the course description and syllabus as part of the grade?
- The decision makers considered any reasonable alternatives as essential requirements.
- The conclusion resulted from a careful, thoughtful, and rational review of the program requirements.
To read a case study example, explore this link – Office of Civil Rights Fundamental Alteration Case
Students and/or instructors must consult OARS when concerns arise about any accommodation or its implementation.