Late is late
I like to have a very firm policy. I do not accept late work period. But, I do make an exception for "life situations" but to qualify, I must be chatted with in advance of the due date. Am I being too liberal?
Hi Robert,
I think this is a very sound and humane approach to the late assignment issue. I use a similar scale with a definite time line where no points will be given. This way there is definite closure to that assignment and we are ready to move on to the next one. I have found without a date where no points will be given students will wait until the end of the course and bring in all of their assignments which means they did them at the last minute rather than when were studying that topic.
I also agree with your approach to look at each situation. This is a humane way to accommodate situations that can occur in students' lives over which no one has control.
Gary
At the University I instruct at we have a somewhat rigid policy as follows:
1-2 days = 5% grade reduction
3-6 days = 10% grade reduction
7-14 days = 20% grade reduction
15+ days = Zero
While this falls somewhere between zero tolerance and appropriate time management awareness, it does penalize for late performance but it doesn't go so far as "all or nothing." Excusable absences are also taken into account on a case-by-case basis.
Clearly there needs to be a late post policy, one that is fair, but also punitive to dissuade one from posting whenever they feel like it.
Hi Althea,
Good plan and it is good to hear how well it works. The key is consistency and you have that in how you handle the late work situation. It is simple and forthright. This way there is no confusion on the part of students. It is what it is.
Gary
I am willing to make exceptions, but I don't require them to talk to me ahead of time. In fact, I find that much of the time, I don't need or want to know the details. There truly is such a thing as "too much information." I certainly don't want to get into evaluating student excuses against each other, i.e., "But you let so-and-so be late!" What I do, and it seems to work well, is to have a "late pass" policy. In the syllabus I include one pre-printed "late pass." The pass entitles them to turn in one assignment one class period late, no explanation required, no point deduction (otherwise, late papers are docked 10% per day including weekends). The student can choose to use it on any assignment, but each student gets only one. I find it offers a good balance between enforcing deadlines and "having a heart."
Hello Gordon!
I use the three D's: Death, Dismemberment and Doctor's note . . . those are the only reason you can makeup work.
Stick with your policy!
I find that a lot of the students have little work experience and we are also teaching these students how to be accountable for their actions or lack there of.
I often wonder if I am too liberal also. The trouble is, if I don't make exceptions, then students might complain to advisors, etc, and then I feel pressure to change the policy.
Generally, I don't think so. "Life situations" don't always come at a predictable moment to allow for advance notice, so I hope you allow for chatting after a situation occurs or is occuring also. :-)
I agree that late is late, except for "life situations". I feel it is a tough lesson to learn, but it is a a career lesson that will benefit the student in the end.
Hi Faith,
Your point is a good one about setting policies related to industry/business standards. We have to reflect what will be expected of our students when they leave our programs.
Gary
I like your firm policy. I am a new instructor and was told by my superviosor that there policy is we do not have makeup time on tests and homework is turned in at specific times or it is not accepted. I feel this is a very good policy as it will help in the work place as many things have timelines on the job and off.
That's what I understand as an emergency too, Terri. Sometimes being very strict played against me when, after stating a “no exceptions” policy, I had to allow extensions for emergencies :). On the other hand, I've learned to use point deductions for delays. I found that even mentioning deductions under class expectations sets the right tone.
I agree with this completely!
Terri,
I agree with you as well. I have put in my syllabuses that if they have an emergency and miss class the night of an exam, they need to contact me within 24 hours and tell me about the emergency or they will not be able to make-up the exam. I have only had one student who was not able to meet that request and that is because they were in a car accident and quite serioulsy hurt.
Michelle,
I am with you! My first quarter teaching I had not given any thought to late work and did not address it on my syllabus. Consequently one student did not hand in homewoek all quarter. When it became apparent that he was going to get an F. He talkied with his counsler and I was informed that since my syllabus did not state that late work was not accepted I would have to accept and grade it. Not something one wants to be doing at the end of the quarter.
Now I put in my syllabuses that late work will be penalized the first week by 50% and then not accepted after that. It has made a world of difference not only for me but the students, who must now staty on task and on target.
Hi Terri,
There is no consistent answer to your question. It really does depend on the individual instructor and how he/she defines and emergency. The best practice is to take it case by case but be consistent in how you handle the requests. I have not had any real problems operating this way over the years. My students have not taken advantage of the emergency requests since they know I will be fair if they are honest.
Gary
I also find it difficult to define emergency and have consistency. Going by the urgency of the student's email won't work. One student will sound very urgent about having had a routine dental checkup, while another student will apologize for asking for an extension when they have had a house fire and are in a motel room with their four kids.
I completly agree with you. When I began teaching I was much more lenient and found I became overwhelmed with the requests. I have since changed my standards and do not accept late work eother, unless there are extreme circumstances and I have been informed prior to the due date.
Some of the earlier posts stated that they allowed late work for an "emergency". I was wondering how instructors are defining an emergency because it seems to vary from instructor to instructor. I would define it as a medical emergency or a death in the family. Others may include auto accidents or other family situations such as a funeral.
