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
we have 15 days and 90 clock hours per course and in one of the courses I manage there are over 20 different lab worksheets that have to be read and graded before the end of the course.
With only about 30 minutes a day to devote to these items and with 30 students per class, (600 sheets) you must set deadlines or you will feel like you have to take them home to finish. We do not allow that here. If they don't like the deadlines tough!
I agree having strict assignment policies should get students ready for the "real world" but I find that if I do not schedule make up assesments a very high precentage of my students would not meet the course requirements. They also seem to feel that its my job to teach a skill, not to make them employable.
Deadlines are part of reality. If you are scheduled to catch a plane and arrive late, you will be left at the gate.
The same principle applies in business. You will not help the professional development of the student by giving in to excuses (unless there is supporting documentation of a crisis). It is also unfair to the other students who adhere to the class requirements.
If you are continuing to be late with your assignment that shows a lack of responsibly on your part and this could carry over to the work place
Hi Jason,
We have to do both...teach the skill, yet make them employable. Students must realize tardiness is unacceptable in the workplace. Deadlines are established to be adhered to not ignored.
Patricia
Hello Bobbi,
Make it plain to them, in the real world deadlines are established to be adhered to or else... We are setting our students up for failure if we make it seem like late assignments are fine.
Patricia
The service that students are paying for is the information we impart to them as instructors. This information is a combination of facts (subject matter) and skills (time management). It is important to emphasize that as professionals in ther chosen field, students will not only need to demonstrate competency, but do so efficiently. Use yourself and your course as an example of content (course information) delivered efficiently (length of course).
Hi Kevin,
What is your take on late assignments?
Patricia
After grading the first assignment of the semester, I was shocked that only 50% of the students completed the assignment. The syllabus clearly states that no late work will be accepted (unless there is prior discussion with the instructor or doctor's note, etc.) I posed the concern to the class as a whole and said, "What do you think about this?" The students took it into their own hands and stated that their job as students is to complete assignments on time and there's no excuse. One student said, "In the professional world, you show up late for a meeting or fail to turn in a document into the court at 8AM, you're screwed. Done. It's unacceptable. Take responsibility and do your work. Otherwise, why are you here?" Afterwards, almost 99% of assignments were completed on time. It was far more effective to have students demonstrate the point rather than an authority figure. It created more of a team effort (students and teacher working together) and the class held each other responsible.
Hi Theresa,
I really think it was very smart on your behalf to get the students involved in the situation and let them provide the feedback. That one student was really on point, he/she said it all! How effective this method worked having a 99% completion rate the second go round. Well done!
Patricia
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%.
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.
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
I think it would teach the students responsibility and prepare them for the real world.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
