Late Assignments
There are several factors that play a part in my decision as to whether I will accept late assignments from students; the reason it is late, if there is a pattern, and the type of assignment. Once I decide to accept a late assignment there is always a penalty associated with it. I think it is important for students to understand that classes are a foundation for their work ethics and that they need to build strong ones early on.
I agree with what you say. It is so important for students to meet deadlines as this is the case in the work world; if a deadline is not met, it must carry an appropriate penalty. In addition, it is important to realize that there will be extraneous circumstances when deadlines cannot be met and it must be dealt with on an individual (valid) basis. Aside from a few exceptions, deadlines and penalties for late or missed work must be strictly adhered to.
Hi Exzelia,
Wow, your Dean really cut your legs from under you. This was totally unfair to those who turned their paper in on time. You should be able to have classroom rules that are backed by higher authority. These two students learned that do what you want and we will not penalize you, unreal...
Patricia Scales
I agree with this statement. The students should be penalized for their lateness depending on circumstances. However,this method for teaching students this work ethic can be derailed if the administration constantly sides with the students who are habitually late for no legit reasons.
In a new job I acquired, I was told that a late assignment not identified before or on the due date will have 10 points deducted over 24 hours lateness. That "policy" I understood without any difficulty. A few weeks into the semester I had to substitute for a co-worker who had to go to the hospital. When a particular assignment was due all but 2 students turned it in on time. The 2 students who didn't complete the assignment on time did not give any reason for the delay. One week later they turned in their assignment. I deducted the 10 points and graded all papers. After I returned the assignment to all students nothing was said to me but the 2 students reported me to the Dean of Education. The Dean told me the 10 point deduction was not a policy all departments followed. I was instructed to return the 10 points to the students. My surprise was the lack of consistence, vaguely stated orientation information and the negative effect for the rest of the student body.
Problem with late assignments is that students are often too lazy to do them so ask the students that do their assignments for help or advise. The students who always do their assignments get disgusted with the lazy students who always have an excuse. There is no perfect way to deal with late assignments except to be as fair as possible. Spell it out in the syllabus.
Hi Shawn,
Life happens with us all, and I fully understand those extenuating circumstances. I have no sympathy for those who are just being lazy and not doing what is required of them.
Patricia
That's true. Or college has rather strict guidelines as to what constitutes an 'excused absence'.
If a student has late work because they were out on an excused absence (verified Doctor/emergency visit, jury duty, military commitments, etc), then I have no problem allowing the work to be turned in in a reasonable amount of time (I will extend the deadline for said student by a day for each excused day).
However, if a student simply doesn't do or turn in their work, they receive no credit for it. In a real world setting, customers don't accept tardiness.
Hi Fran,
I understand! Think about sick days, employees are generally paid for sick days. This is just something to think about.
Patricia
I agree except I require the work be turned in but they do not get credit. They lose all points. If it was work related, they wouldn't get paid for a job not done.
No offense, but the extenuating circumstances become your "good excuses". Most higher education institutions recognize extenuating circumstances as an "excused" absence provided that the student has appropriate documentation.
In my opinion, instructor's should work with extenuating circumstances that are documented. Otherwise, would we not be setting up the school for litigation? Without documentation, it is simply an unexcused absence.
My weakness is that I am student focused and want to help him/her be successful in both the classroom and in the professional world. Sometimes I allow myself to make exceptions, but admittedly this can backfire, especially in the eyes of other students. Overall, however, I have a good rapport with students, and they understand that exceptions are made fer the benefit of a struggling student. I am rarely questioned about such exceptions.
Hi Jacqueline,
I don't get into good or bad excuses. I only make provisions for extenuating situations with doucmentation, such as hopsitalization, death, fire, car accident, etc.
Patricia
Shamara, I agree with your assessment that instructors are building "a foundation for their work ethics and that ehey need to build strong ones early on." Do you make a deliniation between excused and unexcused absenses? If so, what are your guidelines? Do you require documentation?
