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Motivating Students to have Good Attendance

Sometimes as instructors we must motivate students to have good attendance. There is a very high correlation between having good attendance and doing well. There are many tactics that can be utilized in order to encourage good attendance. Here are some super practices to put in place to encourage good attendance:
1) Lead by example
2) Get to class on time
3) Start class on time
4) Be prepared
5) Display knowledge
6) Give pop quizzes that are not allowed to be made up
7) Give an attendance grade at the end of the grading period worth a certain percentage
8) Give a participation grade at the end of the grading period worth a certain percentage
9) Distribute perfect attendance certificates
10) Exempt students from the final exam who have both an "A" average and perfect attendance
11) Execute a rigid attendance policy
12) Be enthusiastic
These are some practices that have proven to have a very positive impact on attendance.

What if you are employing most of these practices and a small group of students are still straggling in 5 - 10 minutes late ? 

Hi Jeanne,

You need to have a private firm converstation with these students.  Try to determine why they are always late and help problem solve.

I  teach night students that have jobs. I have implemented some of these ideals and will try the others. However what do you suggest if they continue to come late to class or go on break and come back late. What do you think about lock door and making them wait till the next break?  These are students that are clocked hour students.

Hi Teresa,

Locking the door and making them wait until the next break will certainly get their attention as well as the attention of others.  The students will know that you are not playing, and they will stop this nonsense.  Try it, you will see an improvement in punctuality after breaks.

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