Commercial Drivers License Written Skills Syllabus for 2024-2025
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Room 505</p>

Office Hours

7:30 am to 5pm Monday -Thursday

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. <strong>The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor. </strong>

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

CVOP-1305-005 Commercial Drivers License Written Skills

Prerequisites

Course Description

Overview of the State of Texas Class A Commercial Drivers License written test. In depth coverage of air brakes, combination vehicle, doubles and triples, tankers and hazardous materials. Includes preparation for mastery of the Commercial Drivers License written examination.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers Handbook, Revised June, 2014

J.J. Keller Tractor-Trailer Driver Training Manual 3rd Edition, ISBN-13:978-1-68008-047-6

Supplies

CDL Permit

Log Book

Ink Pen

Highlighter

Ear buds or Headset 

Student Performance

Course Competencies:

  • Explain all state and federal laws with respect to the Commercial Drivers License
  • Identify various components of the vehicle and;
  • Explain their application to the safe operation and compliance of a commercial vehicle

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Communication

The instructor will use AC email as the primary means of communicating with students. Students are responsible for email messages sent to their AC email account; thus, students are responsible for checking their AC email accounts. The instructor will only respond to emails sent from the student's official AC email account and that identify the applicable class in the subject line or first sentence of the email. Further, emails should be professional using proper spelling and grammar, if the student expects a response.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is vital. Any acts of academic dishonesty will be penalized severely. The instructor has a zero-tolerance policy regarding academic dishonesty.

Grading Criteria

Evaluation and Grades

Each student's grade will be based upon his/her performance on each of the course sections. The course has 3 sections as follows:

Grading Section                           Percentage

Participation                                   30%

Homework                                      40%

Attendance                                     30%

Grading Scale: A = 90 to 100, B = 80 to 89, C = 70 to 79, D = 60 to 69, F = Below 60

Participation

Students are expected to participate in class. Class participation includes: (1) asking relevant questions, (2) adding to class discussions, (30 participating in any group work, (4) abiding by the Code of Professional Conduct, and (5) not sleeping in class (Any sleeping in class will result in a zero (0) participation grade and the student will be asked to leave the class to prevent distracting other students.) Students will be required to check their attendance on Watermark Student application that can be downloaded on to your phone.

Homework

Most lectures will have an associated assignment. This assignment may involve studying for a test, reading and highlighting, or completing quizzes. If a student fails to receive a grade of 80% or better on all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandated subjects and skills training, he/she will not be allowed to take the skills exam and will not receive a CDL and/or certificate of completion. All homework is due by noon on the last day of class and must be completed on-time to receive a grade. Any late work, that has not been approved prior to the due date, will receive a grade of zero (0).

Attendance

Attendance in a class is regarded as a requirement, and an obligation for learning. Please remember the deadline for dropping a class at AC is published in the official Amarillo College Schedule of Classes. If you stop attending class and do not officially drop the course by the deadline, you will receive an "F" for the course.

The attendance in the course will be monitored through time cards, sign-in sheets, and watermark in the classroom/laboratory. Students will be responsible for logging their attendance through watermark daily.  Attendance will affect your grade. If a student is late for class or leaves early the attendance grade for that day will be reduced by 25% or more, depending on the percentage of the class missed. If a student misses class, it is his/her responsibility to get the assignment(s) from a classmate and complete the assignment by the due date. An unexcused absence will result in a zero (0) attendance and participation grade for the day. Attendance records will be make readily available to potential employers upon their request.

I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE SYLLABUS AND THE SCHEDULE AS NEEDED. YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED OF CHANGES EITHER ON THE COURSE WEBSITE OR BY EMAIL OR BOTH.

Calendar

Module 1

  • Welcome
  • AEL Activities 
  • Register on Clearinghouse
  • Homework – Follow along and highlight chapter 14 "Special Requirements for Texas Commercial Motor Vehicles" in your DPS manual and online in your blackboard class located in Module 1

Module 2

  • AEL and TABE first half of the day
  • Students will watch the Apex Tractor-Trailer inspection video located in Module 2 to gain an understanding of the parts of the tractor-trailer that will be mentioned throughout the DPS manual. There will also be visuals available on the wall of the classroom
  • Review for exam over chapter 14 utilizing study materials and practice tests available in Module 2 and on classroom computers
  • Complete exam over chapter 14 in module 2, then at the DPS office
  • Follow along and highlight the Prologue and chapters 1, 2 & 3 located in Module 2. If not completed by the end of class, you must complete this as a homework assignment

Module 3

  • Study for General Knowledge exam utilizing study materials and practice test available in Module 3
  • Homework – study for General Knowledge exam and complete exam in module 3

Module 4

  • Follow along and highlight chapter 6 “Combination Vehicles” located in Module 4
  • Review for exam over chapter 6 utilizing study materials and practice test available in Module 4 and on classroom computers
  • Review the Hours of Service regulations located in Module 4
  • Complete the Daily Log Exercises located in Module 4
  • Complete exam over chapter 6 in module 4 and then at the DPS office
  • Follow along and highlight chapter 5 “Air Brakes” located in Module 5

Module 5

  • Review for exam over Air Brakes utilizing study materials and practice test located in Module 5 and on classroom computers
  • Complete exam over chapter 5 in module 5 and then at the DPS office
  • Study chapters 7 “Double & Triple Trailers” & 8 “Tank Vehicles” located in Module 6. If you plan to obtain those endorsements, you will be given the opportunity to leave a little early today and/or tomorrow to take these exams if time permits, otherwise when time does permit

Module 6

  • Overview of chapter 11 “Vehicle Inspection”, chapter 12 “Basic Vehicle Control Skills Test”, and chapter 13 “On-Road Driving”
  • Demonstration of the vehicle inspection utilizing the Vehicle Inspection Checklist handout
  • Practice the vehicle inspection
  • Allow students to work on chapters 1 & 2 in the Driver Training manual, if time permits, otherwise it must be completed after class

Additional Information

Additional Instructor Contact Information

Amarillo College East Campus Logistics Training Center Room 505, 1310 F Avenue, 79111

Phone # (806)335-4730 (voice mail)

Email tdiaz@actx.edu (best way to contact me)

I will usually return all emails within 24 hours, Monday - Friday. If I do not reply within that time period, please contact me again.

Syllabus Created on:

08/09/22 10:59 AM

Last Edited on:

08/01/24 12:13 PM