College success is about hard work and discipline. It's about getting to class every day, spending the time when you're not in class studying, starting papers the day they're assigned, visiting professors during office hours, and joining study groups.
But it's also about learning to navigate the university system. That's the part you never hear about. Grades can have everything to do with whether or not your instructors are willing to accept your sick notes. They can depend on finding the right person to talk to when you think a professor doesn't like you. You can't hope to earn a high GPA if you have an undiagnosed learning disability like ADD and you don't understand your rights.
That's where we come in. The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team can't take your exams for you or write your papers. We can help you deal with Tarleton's bureaucracy, though. We know how to turn red tape into opportunities. We've helped hundreds of students to use Tarleton's complex rules and regulations to their advantage. We know what you're going through, and we know all the tips and tricks for helping you succeed.
If you're struggling to meet Tarleton State's academic progress standards, you owe it to yourself to find out how we can help. Call 888-535-3686 today, or take a little time now and tell us what kind of problem you're facing.
Academic Progress Standards at Tarleton State University
First things first—just what are Tarleton's academic progress standards? You'd be surprised how many of our clients don't know that their status depends on their GPA.
Like all colleges and universities, Tarleton State maintains an academic standing policy. This policy tells you everything you need to know to stay on track academically. It also explains what happens if you happen to slip off the track.
- Good Standing: This is your goal. Tarleton defines it as a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better. As long as you keep yours above that number, you're in good shape.
- Academic Warning: We all have those classes, though, or those semesters when nothing seems to go right. Even one of these can drag your GPA below that magic 2.0 number. If it does, Tarleton changes your status to "academic warning.” Your goal while on warning status, of course, is to return to good standing.
- Academic Probation: You have just one semester on academic warning to get your grades back up to good standing levels. If you can't do that, you're either placed on academic probation or suspended. It comes down to your term grade point. If your term GPA is above 2.0, you have an additional semester on probation to improve.
- Academic Suspension: If your term GPA is below 2.0 at the end of a warning semester or if you fail to return to good standing after a term of probation, Tarleton then suspends you for a minimum of one semester. Second suspensions last for a full year. Third, suspensions are "indefinite."
You can return to Tarleton after a suspension. If you don't attend another school during your suspension, your return is automatic once you've served your suspension. If you do decide to attend another school, you are subject to Tarleton's transfer policy. That means you want to keep your transfer GPA as high as you can.
In either case, once you return, you're placed on warning status once again, and the same standing policy applies as you go forward.
Dealing With Academic Sanctions
Tarleton State's standing policy makes no mention of any formal appeals process for dealing with academic sanctions. The implication is that your GPA is an objective fact, and changes in status are non-negotiable.
Luckily, Lento Law Firm attorneys know the Tarleton system well enough to suggest some useful options for avoiding academic sanctions. For example,
- While there is no formal appeals process, extenuating circumstances can be grounds for additional time to improve. If you've been dealing with a family emergency or a long-term illness, it is worth talking directly with the dean of your school or college.
- You will occasionally encounter instructors who, for one reason or another, don't treat you fairly. You should report any classroom mistreatment to your instructors' department heads. You may be entitled to some form of grade relief.
- A low GPA can be a sign that you have an undiagnosed learning disability. Such a disability may entitle you to course accommodations like extra time to complete assignments. Disability Services can get you tested and work with instructors to get those accommodations in place.
- If you've been accused of academic misconduct, your instructor has the right to lower your course grade. You can appeal these decisions, though—either the allegation itself or the severity of the sanction.
- Some faculty will consider assigning makeup and extra credit work to students with borderline grades. It could be that a makeup lab assignment or an extra paper is enough to raise a course grade.
- Faculty are also sometimes willing to negotiate grades for other reasons. If, for instance, you've shown significant improvement during the semester, you might try arguing that this improvement warrants a higher grade.
No single strategy is going to work for everyone. Your Lento Law Firm attorney will sit down with you and go over your particular situation. Then, once they've helped you outline a plan for improvement, they'll work with you to implement that plan. They know, for instance, how to negotiate with faculty. They're experienced at putting together evidence of special situations and filing appeals. At a minimum, they can make sure you know who to call, what to say, and how to say it.
What Can the Lento Law Firm Do for You?
Your Tarleton State diploma is far more than just a piece of paper. It's your avenue to a successful career. If it's under threat for any reason, you can't afford to try and handle the problem by yourself. University processes and procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate, and often, you will find the system is stacked against you. You need the very best help you can get, someone who is in your corner and ready to fight on your behalf.
The Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team has helped hundreds of students, just like you, respond to academic progress issues and make it to graduation. What can we do for you? To find out, call us today at 888-535-3686 or use our online form.
