Late Work and Growing Success

Growing Success outlines options for Late Work, and there are two conflicting sides to this issue. One side suggests no penalty should happen for late work and the other side suggests that late work should be punished by removing marks until there is a zero.

InnovOak takes a measured approach that works first to solve the issues that are begin presented, involving students in a plan of action, and then building supports with parents and within the school. Once these options have been exhausted, mark penalties become a last resort.

Our process involves teachers working to support students, developing plans, and allowing students to work through their issues. The goal is to teach and support as students work through the underlying issues and build success strategies to change behavior. Mark deductions without this teacher support does nothing to change attitudes and behaviors.

It is also important to note that students do not have an easier path by making this choice. When the Late Work Policy is enacted, the student loses some autonomy for deadlines, work decisions and possibly free time. It becomes obvious that completing work on time is by its nature much less intrusive for the student.

This is balanced by the need to ensure that everyone else sees and feels that their effort and hard work is also not negated by someone who does not follow the submission guidelines within a course or class