late assignments
I have many students that think as long as they notify me of an absent (even if it's 1x week), they will be able to make-up each exam they missed. Sometimes it gets to be a big, ongoing problem. I only allow one make up exam per quarter and that has really cut back on students being absent on exam days.
Late assignments are not ignored, rather they are taken very seriously as the point of the assignment is to help the student improve his/her skills, not create busy work. Therefore, if a student hands in a late assignment, they are held accountable for it. Dependent upon the situation, students who demonstrated effort to complete the assignment may be allowed time to make it up, however, if a student just does not turn an assignment in, this opportunity is not afforded to them.
My syllabi also say no make-ups for any reason because they will abuse it (same relative has passed away twice). My students are aware of tests in advance. I know things come up and they need to communicate that with me and turn it in early. If you're on your death bed I understand. Some abuse their limited number of classes they can miss for reasons such as (too busy around the holidays, wanted to party on my birthday. Then when they are really sick they miss out. As to quizzes, etc. I don't put them on a syllabus. It keeps some of my students in class because they don't know what they'll miss.
Grading late assignments was a problem I encounted when I first started instructing. I needed to consider that part of my instruction is to prepare students to be successful working in their chosen field. There are consequences of turning in work late on the field, and there are consequences of turning work in late in a classroom that is preparing a student for a career.
MY SYLLIBUS STATES THAT LATE PAPERS AND BEING ABSENT FOR QUIZES CAN NOT BE MADE UP. IF THEY KNOW IN ADVANCE THAT THEY CAN NOT BE IN CLASS ON THE DUE DATE, THEY NEED TO TURN IT IN EARLY, NOT LATE.
THEY MUST LEARN ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEIR DECISIONS. THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO CHOOSE, BUT ALL OF OUR LIFE CHOICES COME WITH REPERCUSSIONS.
Hi Jane,
Rules/penalties really do help! Students need to understand for every choice there is a consequence.
Patricia
Limiting make-up tests does cut down on problems. I think it also makes students more responsible for their choices and study habits. I allow two make up exams and it does help.
I know important things come up for students and they sometimes can't complete assignments, however if students have adequate amount of time to complete the assignments, whether it is 1 week, etc. then there should be no reason for any assignments being late. They should either complete the assignment before hand or accept the grade that they will receive. Most students wait until the last night before homework is due to have a problem.
