Late Assignments
I like to use a sliding scale on late work, usually 10 points per week up to 50 points. This gives the student every opportunity to submit the work and is fair to the other students.
Hello Augustine,
It is good it is a standard policy. Students know that the policy applies to all classes.
Patricia
I follow the university’s guidelines on late assignments – a sliding scale of sort. The first “x” # of days, the assignment is down-graded by “y” # of points etc. This, I believe is fair as it is applied across the board. The students are aware of this from the first day of class. It then becomes their responsibility to meet the timelines for their assignments.
Hi Jim
What a great response! You really do get from students what you expect. Raise the bar, and you will get even more. Let's not allow our students to settle for less.
Patricia
Greetings Patricia-
I find myself frustrated time after time; I think that happens when you care. When I reflect, some of my best teachers were the most demanding. There were consequences for actions. Now education is a buyers market, and the student is purchasing a degree. They can always take their dollars elsewhere. If they don't make the grade they want . . . it must be the teacher's fault. I like to stop and think . . . is what I'm doing really of benefit to the story? Spoon-feeding and over accommodating might get me better student evaluations, but I'm an educator for longterm satisfaction. I've developed the philosophy that students will rise to the lowest expectation. If I assign a 10 page term paper . . . are any students going to submit 20 or 30 page papers? If you expect more, you usually get more. Of course, there are certain circumstances that require flexibilty. I think of my children . . . I can't always treat them the same (they're so diferent), but I can treat them fairly. The key is to operate beyond reproach. Students are different . . . and as instructors we cater to different learning styles . . . so, even if it feels like you are going out on a limb, it's better than playing it safe at all costs. In relation to late assignments, my "gut" feeling is usually right . . . and students appreciate the consistency. Jim
Hi James,
I certainly understand your stance on this. I am "old school" I am still a firm believer in self-initiative, although I know it is a new day and time. I'm getting there.
Patricia
Greetings Patricia-
While I agree that the student should be prepared for the workplace, the most important aspect of any class is the learning process. It is the old education versus job training issue. In reality, most jobs give workers a little slack-the more proven the employee, the more room for wiggling. I have always been more interested in retention of knowledge and applicability of the knowledge to the student's goals, viewing grades as a necessary evil. With that in mind, and understanding success in life is often knowing how to play the game, late assigassignment policies should be left for the individual instructor to decide (not an institutional mandate). Zero tolerence is probably the best policy, but students have trouble understanding this. I remember that self-initiatve was rewarded when I earned my degrees, now spoon-feeding and constant reminders are the norm in school. Is this preparing the student for real life. I certainly don't receive multiple reminders in my professional life . . . or sliding scale second chances. Jim
Hello Wanda,
We have an institution wide policy on late exams. There is a 10-point deduction for late tests, there is an additional 5-point deduction each day the test is not taken up to the fourth day. After the fourth day, the student receives a zero.
Patricia
Hello Donald,
I know as instructors, we need to be understanding. As you pointed out, there are consequences in the workplace if deadlines are not met. We need to fully prepare our students for the workplace.
Patricia
I use the sliding scale on 10% of possible points for each day the assingment is late. It has helped some with late assignments, and let the student know late work is not appectable. I try to remind the student if you are late at work meeting deadines you will have consequences to pay just as in the classroom.
My students have a 5 day deadline from the day they return back to class to make up their missed exams.Also if they do not turn their worbook in on Thursday when it is due I count 10 points per day until the next due date then they get a 75
Hi Barbara,
Absolutely! No one wants to hear those childish words "That's not fair", and no one wants to be around a complainer. As an adult, it is time to grow up and be a professional.
Patricia
Students find in unfair when the policies are different in different classes. However, in the work world, people may have more than one boss and will often work with many other people.
They will need to learn to work with many type of people. No one at work wants to hear someone whine "That's not fair."
Thanks, Patricia :-)
I include a detailed course agenda with my syllabi that shows what will be covered each class session and it includes when assignments are due and when exams/quizzes are. More than once, students have reminded me when something major is coming up!
Hello Myra,
I absolutely love your late assignment policy! My policy is the same. This is a no headache policy.
Patricia
I agree that instructors should have flexibility. I wouldn't want administration telling me how to handle late assignments.
I have a simple late assignment policy - I don't accept it. If students are absent the day an assignment is due, they may email it to me, but I must receive it the day it is due. This way I don't have to worry about documenting when an assignment is turned in. I state this clearly in my course syllabi with bold type and emphasize it verbally the first day.
Hello Bryan,
I think it is important for instructors to have academic freedom. In the work place you are going to have supervisors that have harsher rules, policies, procedures, etc. than others. Some policies should be institution wide and others should be left up to the instructor.
Patricia
I agree that uniformity within a class is important, but what about between classes? In our school, instructors have considerable leeway when it comes to latework, but this is both good and bad. On one hand, this allows the instructors the flexibility they need, but on the other, it results in some teachers' policies being deemed unfairly harsh (only relative to other, more lenient policies). Any thoughts on the importance of cross-class uniformity?
Hello Troy,
Being fair is the main thing. As long as this policy is for every student in your class, then that's all that matters. I like the idea of the sliding scale.
Patricia
