Absentee Students
I'd like to hear how people deal with absentee students. It seems detrimental to our class atmosphere when people are gone. I've been trying to state that fact at the beginning of the course, and to make sure I make an enjoyable class through activities.
Hi Patrick,
This method should also illustrate to students the value of attending class because their success is based upon their getting the content in the form of knowledge and skill development. This helps to show them application and relevance.
Gary
Years ago we used to have the same policy--if a student missed more than 20% of the allotted class time in a given quarter, they would not pass. The school recently changed their policy. We can no longer enforce the 20% rule. Thus instructors like myself use quizzes and graded class exercises to motivate students to be present in class. Students who are chronic in their absences feel the effect over the course of a quarter and may fail the class.
Hi Gina,
Each instructor has to determine how he/she will handle tardy and/or absent students. The key is to be consistent with that policy to avoid problems later on.
Gary
The issue of absences seems more clear to me than that of tardy students. I am teaching a four hour course, and am not sure what is a fair cut off time for late arrivals. Unfortunately, I don't believe that an incredibly strict policy would be the most productive.
Absenteeism is an issue with me as well, especially on Mondays and Fridays and the first day of class. We have an accelerated prpogram and one day makes a big difference in how much material a student may miss. At the beginning of the class they are given material that spells out exactly what they need to read and study and they know that even if they miss a day, they are still responsible for the material.
Hi Scott,
You have a very clear and consistent policy for your attendance requirements. I to dropped extra credit for those that missed a lot of classes after I figured out they were just using me to get the credit so they could pass. Now I operate much like your program and attendance is not a problem anymore. I do have those that miss a lot of class but nothing is going to help them succeed. I counsel with them to decide if they really want to be in the program and is so what they have to do to be successful. In the case of absences I have them go back through the course again. I have to be sure they have the competencies needed for the area.
Gary
What I have done is give points in class each week. The students with perfect attendance are guaranteed a D with not tests based on getting 60 percent of their point s through group activities. A student that misses 4 of 12 classes, will drop a full grade and if they miss 6 of 12, they drop two grades. By having graded group activities, I have increased attendance numbers. I also quit doing extra credit for ones that had bad attendance. The first night of class I explain this. Also, I use the example of if you miss 4 days of work in your first three months of being hired, you may not make it through probation period.
I am in a similar situation my my school of employment and have, as stated by others here, clearly spelled out attendance expectations. A couple of things I have tried:
1. Incorporating significant amounts of material related to the text but not in the text and then testing on it.
2. Giving a one question, easy-as-can-be quiz over the reading material assigned in the syllabus. The function here is two-fold: Students are required to be on time in order to take the quiz and it provides incentive to do the assigned reading.
Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Brent
Hi Loan,
The loss of points as a result of not meeting a deadline is part of developing career maturity. If the students do not meet deadlines when they are out in the work world they won't keep their jobs very long. They need to realize the importance of being organized and deadline oriented.
Gary
Dr. Meers,
I don't mind taking points away from the students if they are not there on the day of a quiz, test or when an assignment or a project is due. My instructors has been using this method when I was in school so I always wanted to use that idea to see what kind of outcome I will get from the students.
As the weather starts to improve, every year the challenge is how to keep attendance levels up- especially on Fridays! I find that saving an important demo/lecture to the end of the week helps to keep my numbers, as they know that I will not re-teach the material they missed.
Hi Tammy,
It may be a bit late for resolving this problem this far into the course, but you will have learned to get on the problem early for the next course. Do you give any professional points? If you do you can deduct these from the student's score based upon being tardy. I would talk with the student immediately and see what you can do to resolve the situation with this student.
Gary
Hi Alesha,
Good way to establish a policy and follow it. The students need to know that they are going to be held accountable for their actions. They can't shift the blame on others. Also, this is what training for future employment is all about. They have to be accountable and dependable if they are going to be successful in the future.
Gary
Just an additional thought, if you have everything spelled out clearly, its ok if they aren't adhering to it. Make sure you are consistent with consequences, eventually they figure it out. Or not...but at least you held up your end of the deal.
I hear you Tammy. I had a lot of guidance when making my syllabus, but that doesn't mean everything is covered how it should be. Do you start the test at the start of the class? I would start it as you planned, and that student just doesn't get as long as everyone else gets to take it. I would also try talking with this student(s) about being tardy and how it negatively affects them, and the class.
I have everything spelled out clearly in the syllabus but it doesn't mean that they adhere to it. My problem has been a good student that comes in late every time we have a test. Not sure how to handle it and I didn't address it in the beginning because honestly as a new instructor it never crossed my mind.
I do also lay out guidelines that back up "real world" situations. If students don't come to class and don't let me know PRIOR to class starting, they are on their own to get missed assignments/notes. In this case, I will not accept late homework. If they do let me know before class, I will work with them to decide how to proceed. My point here, if you no call, no show to work, you don't have a job. This is one way I encourage attendance, and reinforce the reward/penalty system for everyone.
Hi Alesha,
I like it. We have to have standards that reflect the work world and being in attendance on time is one of those standards. Our students need to develop the soft skills that will enable them to be successful.
Gary
My school does have a loose attendance policy. If they are consecutive absences, it is addressed pretty quickly, however, if a student misses every other class meeting, it isn't caught quite the same. I call after the first absence. Any after that I let the Dean of Students know and there is follow up. The student handbook does make reference to missing 20% of a class is unacceptable. My school also makes a commitment to backing up what is in my syllabus. In one of my classes, one missed class could put you very far behind. (that would be a 3% missed) My syllabus clearly states that you will not pass the class if you miss 20% of the class. Yes, attendance IS that important.
