Managing Late Assignments
I always allowed students the benefit of doubt in extending time to make-up assignments. I see the relevancy in holding them to dealines as a preparation for real world scenarios in their chosen fields. I am enlighten.
Hi Cristy,
At my institution it is up to discretion of the instructor to accept late work. Most do not accept late, however if late work is accepted, the student is penalized.
Patricia Scales
Do any of you feel pressure from the students or the administration to accept late work? I do agree that there are some circumstances -- hospitalization, death in the family -- where it is impossible for students to turn in late work. However it seems that if you let one submit a late assignment they all want to do it.
Some times the real world just gets in the way. I try and use it as an opportunity to make a connection versus burning a bridge. When they have late work, it lets me know something is up and they probably need to talk to me.
Regards,
Scott
Hi Luis,
I believe in beating deadlines. I turn my assignments in ahead of time.
Patricia
From an employer I think you need to give staff a few days before the real deadline is. PArtly because staff is busy working and not wanting to do paperwok. So for me I would give a few days to week deadline prior to end date. This way if they run behind I still have time to review their work and post accuratley.
As an employee I try to turn all my stuff in within timeframe of deadline or next day.For example my documentation paperwork is due the 3rd but I will turn it in by the 4th of the month
Hi Sarah,
This is what we use at my institution for late tests, this may help you determine what you want to do for late work.
1st Day=-10 Points
2nd Day=-5 Points
3rd Day=-Points
4th Day=-5 Points
After the 4th Day a zero is issued.
Patricia
When they first are late, I usually send an email reminding them of the late homework. If they have a good excuse, I usually don't penalize with a late penalty. If they are consistently late, I will contact them and let them know that future penalties will apply however I will work with them for any unforseen probblems. I'm not a stickler on late papers because the focus of the class is to learn and I focus on whether the students are learning or just getting through.
I am an online instructor and late work is one of my stresses. On one hand, I'm encouraged to have a low failure rate, but I also see the importance of students having more accountability regarding late work. It's so time consuming to me to have to grade the late work after the fact (since I get in a groove with my rubric and grading when I am doing the rest of the class's work) and then to have to go back and calculate what percent to deduct depending on what day they turn it in is a pain. I guess there's no simple answer. I'm shooting myself in the foot if I don't accept it since it brings my overall scores down, I'm also shooting myself in the foot to have to readjust their scores if I deduct points, and I'm also shooting myself in the foot if I keep accepting late work with no penalty since they turn in late work more and more. Maybe the first time is a free late pass and the next have points taken off. But then in that case I have to keep track of how many late assignments they've had. Apparently I'm still not sure... :)
Hi Luis,
Looking at lateness of projects/assignments from an employer's perpective what are your thoughts? I am a stickler for deadlines. I know things come up, but...
Patricia
I do the exact same thing as you. I do not accept late work. In fact, I tell my students "Better never than late."
That being said, I state in my syllabus what students can do in the event they cannot attend class due to unforeseen circumstances. Students are permitted to email me their work. I also encourage my students to get to know their classmates. I try to foster an environment where students get to know each other. Also, many of them have the same classes together, so they naturally hang out together. Of course, in the most extreme cases that can be backed up with documentation, I will grant an extension.
I do this because my students are studying to be a Paralegal. In the legal profession, a missed deadline can be the kiss of death. Extenuating circumstances do not matter when there is a statute of limitations issue or other deadline. I thoroughly explain my policy, not as a means to scare them, but as a means to explain to them that their work is important.
I have used this policy for the last eight years. The key is to have clear standards and expectations outlined in the syllabus and reiterate those standards in class. Even on assignment, I will state that the assignment is due on X date at Y time, otherwise it is deemed late and the student will not receive credit. Yes, there are students who test the boundary to see if I am really serious. But when they see that I back up my words with actions, many fall right into line. In fact, one student a few years ago once told me that before she sat in my class, she did not care about doing homework. But, now she realizes that she has a choice..do it and get credit or don't do it and fail.
I have been a student and currently a student as well. I always try to remember that life sometimes steps in the way and prevents us from completing some assignements. But time managment needs to be taught and learned. I will turn in papers late by a few minutes occasionally, but for the most part if a final edit is needed I will turn that in in a timely manner.
As a student in an online program I try to emphasize that i will be done with assignments before the deadline to submit to our instructors, but its ok to miss the soft deadline to review a few days before.
In the classroom though, I try to emphaisize the importance of turning paperwork in a timely manner.
Hi Mitchell,
Securing a student's signature sends out a serious message. I have found that they feel they are held more accountable when you get their signature.
Patricia
I believe all ofthe students should be held accountable on an equal basis. We should not make exceptions for one student for any reason. I feel the rule is the rule for all. Once they get into the real world everyone should be treated the same
Late assignments are a troubling ongoing aspect of education. As the workforce shrinks, and the paychecks shrink, there are more demands on college students. While I am always empathetic to the reasons students are late, I find it troubling the many excuses students have.
While I do accept late assignments up to a certain point, I always remind my students they are in college for a reason and I would expect them to take the same approach with their academic career that they do with their professional career. They must remember in the work force they may not get that second chance at a late assignment. There are hundreds of people who are looking for work and administrators may be just as happy hiring someone they think are more reliable.
Student retention is very important, don't get me wrong, but you also have to remember another very important goal for the school, and that is high, quality placement rates. It doesn't do the school much good if they have high retention rates only to send out poorly prepared graduates that aren't performing well in the workplace. This is no help to the student, nor does it maintain a positive image for the school in the community. AS much as a student might fight a deadline, you must hold your ground or they will carry that habit into their work, and may ultimately be unsuccessful.
Hi Dale,
I understand! I deal with the same type of student daily, and life does happen, however, these students are held to the same standards as everyone else. On the job, rules, policies, and procedures will apply to all, regardless of housing, transportation, daycare, lights turned off, etc.
Patricia
Clearly different instructors have different methods of dealing with the acceptance of late assignments. I agree that a calander/schedule in addition to the syllabus needs to be explicit in assignment and testing deadlines. However, when a student misses the first day of class, when this information is presented in detail, it becomes an ongoing problem for the instuctor and student alike. In my experience, theses situations are compounded by the student who does not take the time to read and understand the syllabus. Which, by the way, leads me to want them to sign off on a form that they have read and understand the syllabus content. That is a great idea.
A new paridigm has emerge in education "economics" better yet by it applicable field name "student Retention"
What does it mean? For myself flexibility when implementing our roles as instructors. The area is so gray.. it's left figuratively for the instructor to determine, without the loss or threat of student enrollment.
On one hand we are being told to stick by institutional standards so in the long run students will develop skills of responsibilty that will translate into real world work requirements. Yet if we don't allow them to make-up or turn in work they will fail...
So I ask you, "what's an Instructor to do?'
I agree on not accepting late work unless the student has lagit reasons. However, for every day late they lose 1 letter grade. It seems to be a real motivator since they have to have a "C" or better to pass the class and take their boards.
