What is a good policy for accepting late assignments?
There are a lot of ways of handling late homework submissions, of which I've only tried a few. The general policy I've settled on is something like the following.
Homework must be submitted at the beginning of class on the day it's due.
Late homework is not accepted.
This is pretty harsh, I think. But with this policy in place, I make unofficial exceptions on a case-by-case basis (it's easier to start with an overly harsh policy and make exceptions in the students' favour than the other way around), for example, if a student happens to be late to class on a day that homework is due.
I want students to be motivated to hand in their work on time. Highly motivated. That's why I make the official policy so strict. But I feel bad about actually adhering to such draconian measures (they should get zero for missing the bus?), which is why I make exceptions. But overall, I'm dissatisfied with the ad hoc nature of this approach. How can I motivate students to submit homework by the deadline without being "overly harsh"?
Hi David,
That's right! Nor will this type of behavior be tolerated. Employers are not going to put up with tardiness.
Patricia Scales
Being late to work wouldn't be excepted why would we except it at a learning site.
Hi Debora,
Fair enough! Glad to know that the students have a deduction in grade to be fair to those who turned their work in on time.
Patricia Scales
My policy for late work is that, first of all my student need to contact me to give reason of why they will not be in class or why they are going to be late. Then, depending on the circumstance I will allow them to turn they're work in with the understanding that the highest grade they can achieve for that assignment is a 70.
I am the exact same way. Printed material must be on my desk by the time course begins. Late work is not accepted.
That being said if a student walks in a couple of minutes late and turns them in I will accept. Another example I will accept late work is if they email me day before with extenuating circumstance I will allow till end of class day when we meet. But generally it is best to be rigid than lax at the beginning of semester/
Hi Denise,
You really get from students what you expect. I will only except late assignments for extenuating circumstances. Missing the bus is not extenuating.
Patricia Scales
