Late Assignments
Recently our school has implemented a very strict late assignments policy. I think it is helpful in assisting our students to become more responsible and ready for the "real world." However, I am receiving some negative feedback from some students because they feel they are paying for a service, not something that should be instituted so harshly. What are your thoughts?
Bobbi Bricker
That is very true. It's taken me awhile to get to my present policy. I do allow late assignments, but only one week grace period with a 20% deduction. In writing classes, I know the best way to get better at writing is to write, so in the past I simply wanted students to write, whenever. However, after a time, I realized I was enabling students to be content with substandard behavior, not to mention the fact that the specific lesson for the assignment was long gone if the assignment was turned in weeks later. Strictly limiting any late time is better for the student in the long run. Plus, the larger the project, the more time I give students, and give numerous reminders. That seems fair enough. Those that really want to succeed come through.
Hi Paul,
I certainly understand! This is fair enough. We do have a heart! :-)
Patricia
Hello, Patricia
Our writing program is Turnitin. When our faculty was first introduced to it last semester, we were glad to see that after a certain date established by the teacher, papers could not be submitted by students. Although most of our students usually had their assignments in on time, there were always those who were late, and Turnitin was our school's way of making them more responsible.
However, some students were still late. Sadly, the problems that they encountered involved spousal abuse, homes destroyed by fire, and illness. These are the reasons why I accepted, and will continue to accept,late papers. Thank you for your interest.
Paul
Hi Eugene,
I concur. There are definitely goals whenever deadlines are established. I let my students know deadlines are made to be adhered to not ignored. Students must realize in the real world you boss wants whenever he or she says it's due, otherwise there are consequences.
Patricia
Hi Paul,
What is the policy in detail? What do you feel are valid reasons for accepting late work?
Patricia
Our school has also instituted a writing program that has a late assignments policy. It is working to some degree. However, as with all policies supposedly "set in stone," I am already making some exceptions as long as a student has a valid reason for turning in a late paper.
Thomas, with one caveat - which I'll get to momentarily - I agree. Additionally, since we have to balance heavy workloads while meeting unrelenting deadlines, we are living illustrations of what our students will face. By pointing that out to them we accomplish two or three goals: course deadlines are shared reality checks, meeting deadlines shows responsibility and respect, not meeting deadlines puts employees/students at risk. The caveat is that a significant percentage of students have to learn professional responsibility in steps. Consequently, I make some deadlines inflexible (no late work accepted), some costly to miss (grade deductions) and some flexible. This method comes from my experience in the work world, but I'm not married to it! :)
Hi Abigail,
As you mentioned, simply put, employees are not going to tolerate missed deadlines. Deadlines are put in place to be adhered to, not ignored. Students need to understand the importance of getting assignments done on time.
Patricia
I agree with penalties for late work; my employer doesn't accept it, and neither do I. My students will receive a 20% deduction for every business day after the due date that their assignment is not turned in to me. Issues are resolved in a work week, and it reinforces to students that due dates and deadlines aren't just suggestions. Students with professional documentation (doctor's note, jury summons, court documents, etc) can work with me to get their assignments in/tests made up, this is usually done within 7-10 days of their return, depending on the circumstance.
Hi Kimberly,
I totally agree! There should be some exceptions to the rule based on extenuating situations as you have discussed. Things do happen in life!
Patricia
I believe that deadlines are an important lesson for students to learn. This is how the real world works and it is our responsibility to prepare our students for that. Of course there are extenuating circumstances that could be forgiven, such as an automobile accident, a death in the family, etc. But otherwise it is my experience that when students are not given strict deadlines they either do not complete their work or do not turn it in at all.
Like others, I use a 10% reduction on late work. Students can receive a full grade if their work is turned in on the due date. If they turn in late work within one week of the due date, their grade is automatically reduced a full 10%. Students then have an additional window of one week to turn in late work. If work is turned in any time during the second week after a due date, then their grade is reduced by 20%. After the two week window has passed their score remains a zero for any missing assignments. Exceptions are made on rare occasion when a student has issues of serious illness, injury, or a serious circumstance (death in the family, for example) which prevent them from completing assignments. My grading policy is stated in a written syllabus addendum signed by each student on the first day of class.
I give everyone one chance to turn in a late assignment. I tell them to use it wisely as cars may break down, children can get sick, or they can get sick.
I generally lay down the law on the first day of class, as the quarter progresses and some of the students who have genuine documented problems start to emerge, I try to be reasonable and flexible to a certain degree, but it is imperative that students adopt a disciplined approach to getting their work done.
I believe that I am not doing them any good, if I relax the rules. Towards the end of the quarter, knowing that their work load from other classes are putting pressure on them, I do make concessions as well.
Hi Catherine,
I have a late penalty of 10% as well. Students need to understand the importance of meeting deadlines. In the work place deadlines must be met or else.
Patricia
I think it would teach the students responsibility and prepare them for the real world.
Hi Marien,
You are informing your students with accurate information. In severe situations with an explanation, certain things as you have mentioned are acceptable for late assignments.
Patricia
Hi Theresa!!!
I liked that you posed the concern to your class. I have do that several times and I always explain to them that in the professional world, there are not excuses for be in late to a meeting or to fail to complete a task at your job. However, I always tell them that is drastic situations (hospital, doctor, car accident), with good communication, you will be able to explain yourself.
It's hard to instill the need to turn work in if they miss a class. If they just don't do it then they lose the points, but depending on the reason, i.e. anxiety disorder, or illness. I think that they should have til the next class to get it in. The one that bothers me is the incompatibility of computer programs Mac vs PC and email issues. I do accept emailed homework as it is somewhat easier and less paper to handle, but if I dont' get it on time I do mark them down by 10%.
