Handling Late or Missed Assignments
Is there a need to attach punishment? Can you give more work as a type of punishment?
Whenever I assign homework that is "worth" less than, maybe...50 points... the stuednts more often than not, turn it it VERY late or not at all. Because to the majority, doing the work is not worth 50 points to them. I do issue several homework assignments that are worth 25 points. It seems like I might as well not even hand them out.
But it's funny, because at the emd of the term, the students who DO turn in their work appropriately, always seem to have the higest grades! And all the other students find that so MYSTERIOUS!
I do find that allowing them to have time during class to complete these small assignments make the turn in rate much higher, but then that takes away from lecture or lab time.
Hi David,
When you have done all you can do to help students, the rest is left up to them.
Patricia Scales
After 13+ years I have found that no matter how much you remind students, explain expectations, e-mail them, tell them the importance of submitting homework, you can't win. I find the older students much more reliable and the younger ones are not as good with time management. I typically give students an "Amnesty Period" later in the semester in which they can submit late homework. After that, well... I tried my best to help them.
Hi Elaine,
Fair enough. Our students really do have a lot going on outside of school.
Patricia Scales
I feel your pain! I have a lot of students with troubled family lives and they often hand in assignments late.
I like your method of 10% late per day, up to 3 days. I may try that! Thanks.
Hi Wayne,
I understand. You have a heart, and the instructor is really between a rock and a hard place. I will only take late assignments in extenuating circumstances, with appropriate documentation.
Patricia Scales
At times I am at wits end concerning this problem. I try to be understanding and lenient with students who have personal or medical issue that prevents them from turning in an assignment on time. Other student learn of this and many get the attitude that they too can turn in assignments late. I tell them I will deduct 30% for all late assignments. This works but some still will accept a passing grade for the late assignment. By giving only 70% of a late assignment is still a passisng grade and I feel it is unfair to other students who are one time. I sometime feel that there should be no acceptance of late assignments but I understand all adult students are different with diffentent needs and issues. I know I'm too lenient but I dont want to punish students who have issues that prevent them from turning in their assignments on time.
At times I am at wits end concerning this problem. I try to be understanding and lenient with students who have personal or medical issue that prevents them from turning in an assignment on time. Other student learn of this and many get the attitude that they too can turn in assignments late. I tell them I will deduct 30% for all late assignments. This works but some still will accept a passing grade for the late assignment. By giving only 70% of a late assignment is still a passisng grade and I feel it is unfair to other students who are one time. I sometime feel that there should be no acceptance of late assignments but I understand all adult students are different with diffentent needs and issues. I know I'm too lenient but I dont want to punish students who have issues that prevent them from turning in their assignments on time.
Hi Sara,
Fair enough! Students must take it upon themselves to be in control of their success. I love your perspective, and your perspective produces a quality student, thus making a quality employee.
Patricia Scales
I agree with your statement in regards to holding adult learners more accountable for their responsibilities. I am very adamant with my students in regards to their late assignments, I explain to them that this is their grade and if they are serious about keeping their GPA up and be ready for the "outside" world then they are required to remind me about any and all assignments that they need to turn into me or remind me to give them any assignments they did not receive. When a student comes to me upset over their grade, I remind them that they were responsible for their work, which they were aware of but never took the responsibility to finish or turn in. I tell my students that I am always there for them, to counsel them, to show them everything that I know, to help them understand the material better. But I draw the line at mothering them.
I tell my students that if you were late for work or late doing a task at your job , that they would fire you or penalize you.
I agree with Chris, I do the same thing about assignments with due dates. If students are late I subtract 25% off the grade before grading the assignment. My students knows this and very rare will I have a late assignment.
Hi Kim,
I love it! You are preparing your students for the real world! You really get from students what you expect. Make students rise to the occassion. I am a 24-year veteran in education, and I have learn that students can meet your expectations.
Patricia Scales
My policy works very well for me (for over 20 years). No late assignments, period. Students rise to the expectations put upon them. Assignments not turned in on time earn a zero..... non-negotiable. If a student is absent AND has notified me before the absence AND the absence is excused, then they can turn in any work due the next class period. Otherwise, no late work is accepted. Computer breaking down, internet off, etc. is simply not acceptable.
I had a student one quarter that didn't turn in a single assignment - then the day the grades were due, he told me that his computer had broken down the last few days so he wasn't able to get the assignments to me as he promised. He wanted to know if I could give him "an extension" (wasn't going to happen!) He was full of excuses the entire quarter. He tried to lay on a guilt trip at the end, saying it was one of his last classes and he needed to pass it. Obviously it wasn't a priority until he realized that I really was going to give him an F for the class. He knew it the whole time that he was failing (he got a mid-term warning). I am sure that student is very angry with me for not giving in to him. He couldn't have turned in something from week 1 before the very last week of class? I don't think so!
You try to be fair with them but there are some that try to take advantage of your good nature... and that's when you have to be the "bad guy". I hope he learned his lesson.
Hi Danielle,
You have the right mindset. School should be treated like a job. Deadlines should be adhered to, otherwise penalties should come about.
Patricia Scales
I have issues with late assignments as well. I have to try to keep track of what was missed by whom. I think holding adult learners more accountable for their responsibilities is what should happen. If school were treated more like a job, I believe people would respond to it differently. Penalizing for late submission will be something I use going forward.
Hi Amandeep,
Good point! Even though you are penalizing the student, the student is still learning by having to do an additional assignment! What a great idea so that the students still learn.
Patricia Scales
I tend to not know exactly where I stand. I don't want it to look like "work" is punishment rather than an important piece to achieve their mission. However, often those that are not turning in assignments are missing class also and not receiving all of their content and could use some more review.
