late students
I have numerous students that are alway late. My lectures start promptly at 8:00. Waht can I do to get them to arrive on time.
Hi David,
Great observation. You get out of it what you put into it! I let them know that tardiness will not be tolerated in the workplace.
Patricia Scales
The thing i have observed in regards to tardiness is, the students that are habitually tardy for no apparent reason are the same students that don't do well accademicly, and don't participate in lab tasks. They are the lazy ones who want to do just enough to get through the class.
Hi Juan,
You can not hold class up for a tardy student. You must move forward! Teach the ones that are there.
Patricia Scales
I agree that we should always start on time. Habitual tardy students will not always act on the fact that a demo has started or the specifics of the day have already been discussed.
Students have to apply themselves and instructors must urge them on. We all win when the student attains participation skills that are positive and team oriented.
Hi Cameron,
Nicely stated! We must prepare our students in the classroom for what is expected of them in the workplace. Attendance and punctuality are very important in the workforce.
Patricia Scales
Many of you have presented great ideas that I will consider implementing into the routine at our school. Along with what you all have mentioned, we also offer job placement at our school and let students know that the elite students will get priority in that process. Attendance is an important part of being an elite student and also carries over when a student turns into an employee. Being punctual is one of the easiest things to do, but often not taken as seriously as it should be. It is stressed in the industry we are preparing our students for so we set rules and procedures to encourage students to be early and not just on time.
Hi John,
My institituion gives students perfect attedance awards as well, and they really work hard to strive for the award. We also let them draw for various prizes at the Awards Day Ceremony if they have perfect attendance. The prize can be any little item from the Dollar Store, to a lunch with any staff/faculty memember that the school pays for, to a $10 gas card. Perfect attendance award winners are allowed to dress casual one day during the module as well. Students love it!
Patricia Scales
Many of our students come from a long way from the school. We still expect them to make it into class on time each and every day. Some of our classes have an award tied to perfect attendance for that particular class. It seems to help quite a bit.
Hi Maria,
You are right! Students need to know about rules, policies, and procedures on Day 1 so that they are no surprises.
Patricia Scales
This is a very effective strategy, Ms. Scales. I will also try keeping the door closed while the quiz is going on so that those who come in late will not have the chance to negotiate for their five minutes.
It is also very important to make this clear in class on the first day and be consistent about it.
Hi Michael,
That's right, an employer is not going to tolerate an employee being late, and we definitely need to share this type of information with our students.
Patricia Scales
Absolutely. Communication with the students right from the start is important to me. I may address any tardiness issues immediately and explain their importance of coming on time. Especially as it relates to externships and working out in the field
Hi Martin,
Even adult students will take advantage of you, if you allow them to do so. Set rules and enforce them so that your students will know that it is not a game.
Patricia Scales
I agree. It seems some students are always testing instructors. If they can get away with tardiness they will. I set a general rule. Stick to it but allow for extenuating circumstances, once!
Hi Ronna,
I love your proactive approach! I can tell you care about your students, and you want to help them before it is too late. I am sure your students really appreciate you.
Patricia Scales
If I have a student or students that are chronically late the first thing I do is to sit down one-on-one and get the root of why they are always late. Sometimes it is transportation and/or daycare issues that are out of their control. We offer a Student Resource agnecy that can and in most cases does help with these types of issues and the student can resolve their tardiness problems. I feel that without this type of communication in the beginning of class can ward off most of the issues with tardiness. keeping an open line of communication with my students has really worked in gaining not only their respect but in helping to resolve these issues prior to going out on their clinicals.
Hi Madeline,
I agree, and I have seen this happen. When they realize the class will go on with or without them, they begin to make adjustments to get to class on time so that they do not miss any instructional time.
Patricia Scales
I feel that the instructor should start the class on time and not wait for the late students to arrive. Even if in a small class, the instructor begins with no one there, and covers important material. When students discover that they miss something important and that the instructors will not wait on them, then they will arrive on time.
Hi John,
I agree! At some point, students must be held accountable and take responsibility for their own actions. It is but so much we can do as an instructor.
Patricia Scales
