Excuses, excuses
How do you deal with the student who has an excuse for everything? From being late to class, missing class, turning in assignments late--I have a student who finds a dramatic excuse for any and everything. I can't prove her excuses are lies, but how can I effectively deal with it?
I agree completely. I also document all the excuses for both our proposes. If we have to review them, we will. Maybe it's a larger problem.
Be consistent but fair per class policy.
Hi Amy,
Making a presence on Day 1 will benefit all in the long run. Students need to know that you are all about business, and foolishness will not be tolerated.
Patricia
Hi Ashley,
I have to agree with your point of listening. Everybody should be heard as they think what they are saying is of high importance. The problem is when it's the same thing over and over. There's a limit-and what most of us are saying, we usually have to reinforce the program rules (which of course we shouldn't have to).
I have found that when I make a strong appearance on day one of class, the whole mod goes a whole lot easier for everyone in class!
I think it is important to listen to the student and know that they think it is important to explain themselves to you. While their excuses may not always be true or relevant, they should be heard. With that being said, it is important to uphold the policies and rules for every student regardless of circumstance.
Hi Cynthia,
I like the way you make expectations clear to your students. They know up front what is expected of them.
Patricia
On day one of the term, I go over the class prospectus with the students. I explain the rules and policies and let them know in advance what is expected of them and tell them there are no exceptions. If they are late, it will count against them. If they miss a class it is there responsibility to find out what they missed. They have one week to turn in what they missed and if they do not they will receive a zero, etc.
I explain the policy to them again, and explain to them that they were aware of the rules and policies on the first day of class and signed the contract stating that they understood them.
The contract really seems to eliminate this issue with most of my students.
Also, being late is a 1% deduction from the final grade, and I don't except late assignments if you were present for the previous class and knew they were due. My tests are online with a hard time limit set, if your late you have less time to take the test. If you need a make-up test I need documentation to substantiate the reason the student was late.
I try to listen and understand. However, she/he is an adult and this type of behavior is totally unacceptable in the workplace. Student has to learn now.
Excuses are just that; excuses. They must still adhire to the school policy. tardy is tardy rather the world ended or not. I listen to their excuse , show empathy but remind them that the rules are the rules. Once they relize that they can't get by on you and that you will inforce the rules they will stop coming up with excuses.
Hi Yvonne,
Fair enouugh! Some students will try to get away with whatever they can and some employees will too. Great suggestion pertaining to getting student services involved.
Patricia
Coming from a management background I can tell you that the same thing happens in the daily work environment. I believe that multiple excuses are attention getters or something might really be going on with this student. The problem is trying to figure out which ones are real and which ones are just one more excuse.Consider getting Student Services involved. What you might want to do is ask the student "how do they plan to prevent this from happening again?" Put the solution on them. If they continue to come up with an excuse of why they can not get an assignment completed, let them know that it is your job to follow school rules/policies. review those rules with them and let them know from this point on no excuses will be accepted. Either they are here to put forth an effort or they are not.
Hi Anna-Marie,
I would not accept her lame excuses, and once she breaks policy she is reprimanded according to what policy states. This type of behavior is totally unacceptable in the workplace.
Patricia
