For Accepting Late Work:
- Students still gain the learning/skills involved in the assignment, no matter when it is turned in.
- Turning in work late is better than turning in nothing.
- The "real world" often accepts work and projects even if they are finished beyond the target date.
Against Accepting Late Work:
- Deadlines teach responsibility.
- Deadlines teach work load and time management.
- Accommodating late work can be a huge time strain on the teacher.
- Students could potentially miss the current content or not have the skills needed to move forward to the next area of study.
What is your policy on Late Work?
This is a great question and you make good points for both sides. I think it often depends on the assignment. Math homework, for example, needs to be done to show understanding and doing it a night or two later doesn't work. However, other projects or activities can still hold the same relevance and weight even if turned in late.
ReplyDeleteTrue! Type of assignment can make a big difference on this policy.
DeleteThis is a hot topic in my school. Our school policy is to allow late work because it is important for our students to still demonstrate their skills. However, it has turned into a free-for-all when it comes to deadlines. As teachers we sometimes ask, why even put a due date if our kids know we must accept late work?
ReplyDeleteI have experienced that a little bit in my class, questioning why I even try to put a due date on a specific assignment if I know (and the students know) that I would accept it late.
DeleteAre there any types of consequences for late work (point/grade deductions, missing out on lunch/recess until it is turned in, Saturday School-I guess that still exists some places)?
Two years ago my school started offering Saturday School from 8-12 every other weekend. It was not very successful because students just did not show up and then ended up missing class time on Monday when they had to serve ISS as a consequence for not showing Saturday. Last school year, we started offering Friday Night School from 3:30PM - 6:30PM. It started immediately after school, so students had no excuse to not have a ride to get there. It really made an impact on athletes who were assigned for not making up work because their coach made them run extra laps for coming to practice late. Other students were rather ticked off to have their Friday night social plans interfered with and to spend more weekend time at the school.
DeleteSaturday School is a tricky one. It did exist at the school I previously taught in my first couple of years, but was really out of touch with student needs and I hardly knew about it as a teacher, probably not the best model. Our school had a lot more success with after school options for the same reason you mentioned, they are already there.
DeleteThis is always a topic for my district, especially in the middle school. Although they have a late work policy, it seems that it is not followed very closely, and it very loose. In my room, I provide late policy along with the district. For me, it is still accepted because I want to see student thinking and progress, but it does cost them.
ReplyDeleteGreat reason for accepting late work. Do they seem motivated by the "cost" to get it in on time?
DeleteThis has been a hot topic in my school system for quite some time. Some years, it even seems that the discussions and debates will burst into flames with the heated arguments from both sides. Part of the late homework debate is fueled by the district grading policy known as "the 50% rule." Depending upon your interpretation of the grading policy, a student can score no less than 50% on an assignment whether or not it is turned in on time or not turned in at all.
ReplyDeleteYes, my school was beginning to discuss and a few teachers implemented the 50% on an assignment. It was a huge discussion topic. My last year there, the admin was working really hard to align teachers within departments. Some of our departments were very off within themselves. It made for some very uncomfortable department meetings.
DeletePeriodically during the year my school does a "Feed Your Face Feed Your Brain" night. We offer free pizza, soda, and snacks for a couple of hours, and kids can come in and work with any teachers who are there. Teachers are encouraged to attend. I love this. I tell my students it is their responsibility to go through Classroom and print what they need to work on, and I will be there to help. We have a great time. It is pretty much the only time I take late work.
ReplyDeleteOh man, with sometimes food is the ticket! what a great idea.
DeleteOur district does not have a policy, nor does our school, which I personally prefer but I do think unity is better for students. I find it very difficult, in art, to balance strict deadlines with quality work and it definitely puts a strain on me. However, the work is better for it. No deadlines also lead to a poor look at the student's progress throughout the year, so I try to set them and allow a much time as can while still letting students and parents know where the student stands. Great question and overview of each side of the argument.
ReplyDeleteArt is such a tricky one. My sister was an art major and that was a huge part of her life in middle and high school. She would spend hours and hours completing work that would have been turned in "late".
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