Court Reporting School of SC Student Information Publication January 2014 Realtime Voicew riting Court Reporting The Voice Writing Method Director: Jennifer L. Thompson, CVR-M - - - - - Mailing Address: 3935 Sunset Boulevard, Suite H West Columbia, SC 29169 803.261.7214 www.courtreportingschoolofsc.org A voice writing court reporter ( voicewriter ) speaks directly into a hand-held mask containing a microphone with a voice silencer. As the court reporter repeats the testimony, the silencer prevents the individual from being heard during testimony. A court reporter is responsible for producing a certified written account of everything that is said by judges, witnesses, attorneys, and other parties to a proceeding, including gestures and non-verbal responses. The written transcript may be produced several ways. One way is in realtime, using computer speech recognition technology. Another method is by translating the voice files after the proceeding is over, or by transcribing the files manually, without using speech recognition at all. In any event, speech recognition technology is allowing individuals to pursue not only court reporting careers, but also careers as closed captioners, CART reporters for hearing-impaired individuals, and Internet streaming text or caption providers. The role of the court reporter is to provide a completely accurate account of what was said during a proceeding. The role of the computer is to provide an accurate translation. INSTITUTION The Court Reporting School of South Carolina is a South Carolina Corporation, licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, 1333 Main Street, Suite 200, Columbia, SC 29201, Telephone 803.737.2260. Licensure indicates only that minimum standards have been met. It is not an endorsement or guarantee of quality. President/Owner: Jennifer L. Thompson, CVR Page -1-
INSTRUCTORS Jennifer L. Thompson, CVR Associate's Degree, Business/Paralegal Studies, Columbia Junior College, 1990 Certified Verbatim Court Reporter, NVRA, 1998 Past President SCCRA NVRA Member since 1997 Thompson Court Reporting, Inc., Owner since 1999 South Carolina Notary Public since 1987 Court Reporting Mentor, NVRA since 2004 Court Reporting Instructor since 2004 PHYSICAL FACILITIES: The Court Reporting School of South Carolina is located at 3935 Sunset Blvd, Suite H, West Columbia, South Carolina, 29169. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The realtime voicewriting court reporting program at the Court Reporting School of SC has been structured to prepare students for an entry-level position in the court reporting field and for state and national certification. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES: PREREQUISITES & ADMISSIONS PROCEDURE High school diploma or GED equivalent. Proficient intermediate to advanced computer skills and working knowledge of the W indows environment Typing proficiency of at least 40 words per minute Proficient knowledge of computer software and hardware Proficient knowledge of grammatical composition, sentence structure and punctuation An application must be completed and submitted with a non-refundable fee of $100.00. An interview with the school s officers to assess each registrant s communication and interaction skills Upon successful completion of the admission requirements, students must submit a $1,000.00 deposit with a completed signed Enrollment Agreement. The balance due must be paid on or before the first day of class. Page -2-
The Court Reporting School of South Carolina (CRS-SC) requires the student entering the course to pay tuition and registration fees as indicted below and adhere to CRS-SC's rules and regulations as set forth in the Enrollment Agreement and Student Information Publication. CRS- SC will instruct the student in the curriculum listed below. Program Realtime Voicewriting Court Reporting Length 24 weeks + Tuition $5,000 Application/Registration Fee (Non-refundable) $100 COURSE DATES A W inter and Summer session are available and dates are determined based on enrollment. Classes are held one day per week for approximately three hours. Specific days and times are determined based on enrollment for that session. MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS CRS-SC enters grades for students on their transcripts at the end of each term. The school maintains transcripts of students for 50 years after the last date attended or graduated. CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY An applicant may cancel this agreement without penalty by notifying CRS-SC within three business days after signing this Agreement. After the third day, but before classes begin, The CRS-SC may retain $100.00. After classes begin, for the first 60 percent of the course, The CRS-SC may retain $100 plus a pro-rata tuition charge based on the last date attended, rounded downward to the nearest 10 percent of that period. Thereafter, The CRS-SC may charge for the entire course. CRS-SC will make refunds within 60 days after the effective date of cancellation or the last date attended. SATISFACTORY PROGRESS AND CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT Upon successful completion, a Certificate of Achievement in Realtime Voicewriting Court Reporting will be awarded. Students must progress at the speed and accuracy level required by CRS-SC while producing an accurate verbatim transcript consisting of literary, jury charge, question and answer dictation, testimony read-back, marking of evidence, indication of speakers, and administration of oaths. Page -3-
Students are required to attain 75% or higher level of accuracy of written tests, covering legal terminology, grammar principles, various state and federal statutes, Rules of Civil Procedure and court structure. ATTENDANCE & MAKEUP Students may miss a maximum of four classes. Students will be required to make up a missed session prior to the next session. Missed classes in excess of four will result in the student being placed on probation until all class work is caught up. Students missing more than eight classes will be dropped from the class, forfeiting all tuition. Student will be required to reregister and pay full tuition to complete the class. CLASS SIZE STRUCTURE Each class will not exceed 10 students, so as to offer individual attention to students to attain specified goals. SCHOOL RULES AND REGULATIONS: Students must be on time for class. Impropriety by any student will not be tolerated and is grounds for immediate dismissal from the program and renders student ineligible for re-entry. GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING POLICIES: Students will be given the opportunity to meet with staff for any relevant issues. JOB PLACEMENT: The CRS-SC is not responsible for job placement and does not make any guarantee of employment upon completion of the program. However, CRS-SC will make available known positions and available opportunities. ENROLLMENT IN STATE AND NATIONAL COURT REPORTING ORGANIZATIONS CRS-SC will make available the appropriate applications and testing information pertaining to State and National Court Reporting Associations. Page -4-
STUDENT COMPLAINT RESOLUTION PROCESS: Questions and/or concerns may be directed to the Chief Executive Officer/Director regarding CRS-SC's satisfying the terms of the enrollment agreement. Questions or concerns that are not satisfactorily resolved by CRS-SC officials may be brought to the attention of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, 1122 Lady Street, Suite 300, Columbia, SC, 29201, Telephone (803)737.2260. EQUIPMENT TO BE USED IN CLASS Required equipment includes, but is not limited to, a laptop computer, stenomask voice silencer, voice recognition and realtime editing software, and recording/dictating/transcription peripherals. Upon acceptance into the program, student will be provided a list of required hardware, software and peripherals necessary for the class. The estimated additional cost for these materials is approximately $1800-2500. Students are responsible for obtaining said materials and must have all materials prior to the commencement of classes. CRS-SC does not accept previous education credit, nor does it issue credit hours. Page -5-