No Late Homework

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Home : 2005 : April : 20

No Late Homework
By Haley Dawson

I do not accept late homework except for excused absences that are easily verified. I do not except parent notes.
Most students are not surprised by their grades. They can check with me during office hours only, and
I print individual assignment reports once a month that must be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to me so that no one is shocked. If a student does not turn in a homework assignment twice, I assign a detention. Sometimes on the third time, I write a referral so that we can also meet with parents and an assistant principal. If the homework issue happens across all classes we

will hold an SST (conference) that includes parents/guardians and school counselor, as well as all teachers. It is a lot of work, but it works.
I teach ELD English, all levels. Most of my students would not understand this policy if I wrote it on the syllabus. I do my best to explain it using a few words, then have the whole policy on a poster in my classroom. I hope this helps.
Don't let the students take away your authority as a teacher because they do not listen. Stand by what you believe is right, and if you have questions, check with a colleague or administrator. Also, I will reward students once in a while if the whole class turns in homework on time or for improvements with small rewards like free time at the end of a class, able to read a magazine in class, or deciding what we study next.