Late Work
In my teaching experience, I've tried different policies on late/absent work. Usually, the more lenient the policy, the more students will take advantage. The most effective late work policy that has worked for me is the no late-work policy. It's clear and without room for exceptions, students know there is no excuse for not getting the work done. If an instructor simply relates the Golden Rule, students will understand the true importance of getting assignments done right and on time. If we teach according to "real-world" rules, then we are preparing our students for their chosen careers.
I am an instructor at an adult education school and I agree that the "real-world" rules need to be used in the classroom. There is no excuse for incomplete work. We all need to manage ourselves and our time accordingly.
Hello Ms. Fowler,
Good point about managing time accordingly. We typically don't expect adult students to "buck the system" but the reality is, they often try. Setting the ground rules from day one on our policy for accepting late or incomplete work and sticking to it will set the tone for how you'll handle such instances right away.
I just got to the point that if they don't hand it in on the day that its due its a automatic zero.
Hi Ann-Marie,
I understand because in the real world it is due whenever the boss says it is due, otherwise repercussions will be given.
Patricia Scales
I think that the "declining percentage" introduces more problems than it solves. I've adopted a simpler strategy: I agree to DROP one assignment or quiz per student per term and replace that score with their AVERAGE. This requires less accounting work, allows all scoring to be taken care of at the END rather than week-by-week, and seems fair and equitable. It allows them to have one "Bad Day" or one unexpected event crop up and they know in advance the consequences.
Hi James,
Fair enough, I certainly understand your perspective. Your students should be very grateful for this special favor.
Patricia Scales
The syllabus should clearly state what is or isn't acceptable. Age doesn't change a new student's questioning of their boundaries in the class room. The problem is when the instructor/teacher allows one student to deviate from the syllabus outline. Eventually by the end of the course the class is like a mini example of the broken window theory. The syllabus is an outline of what will be enforced and the instructor/teacher can operate within those parameters to uphold the class with a baseline set of expectations.
Hi Ryan,
When you set standards/rules, you must enforce them with ALL students, otherwise you will lose credibility as an instructor.
Patricia Scales
I like the 'special favor' but find that if students know this on day one they ALL end up taking advantage of that 'special favor' even if they would have completed every assignment. I give makeup quizzes and will surprise the whole class with a 'free' homework at a point in the semester that i see they are dragging or have made it known that they have a number of detailed assignments coming due.
While the largest percentage of my classes include late teenagers & those in their twenties, sometimes the spread of age is vast. Nonetheless,the approach utilized by all of the instructors in this course relative to our program director's desire is to treat the learning experience as a job. As such,arriving late --you're docked pay (grade degradation); incomplete assignment--ill prepared for work (grade degradation);late assignments --suspension or firing(grade degradation...
All are apprised of the penalties-This is preparation for real world responsibility
Hi Clifton,
I love it! Our students must learn that in the real world they will be held accountable.
Patricia Scales
I agree because I have students that really don't get it and I have to make sure they understand they will not be a success if they continue in life with excuses as to why they was not able to get the job done.
Hi Angela,
In he workplace employers do not want to hear excuses. Too many excuses will cause you to get terminated. Employers will find someone who is willing to do the job.
Patricia Scales
I agree with this statement whole hearted. having these ground rules in the class room is very important. a student that is given to much leeway in the classroom might think that it is that way in the real world. if we as instructors had this we would not have any students that would want to attend our course. teaching real world docking of grades helps them understand that is not excepted in the real world.
Hi Thomas,
We have to be stern in the classroom because in the real world employers are not going to play with you.
Patricia Scales
