Why I don't take marks off for late work

It is so frustrating to sit down to mark an assignment, and see that only 60% of students have handed it in! I then have to track down the missing work. It could be a simple process (reminding students to turn in the assignment that is finished, but at the bottom of a locker or backpack) or it could be more complicated and time consuming (supervising the students on my lunch break or after school to make sure the assignment is completed or calling home to parents).

Taking off marks for turning in late work would surely motivate the students to hand in their work on time, right? And if it doesn’t truly motivate students, at least it is a deterrent to handing in late work, right? Maybe not.

As my understanding of assessment has grown and changed, my thoughts on this topic have changed. When I was a new teacher, I took marks off for late work, but I don’t anymore. 

Here’s why.

1. I’m assessing curricular competencies and content outcomes, not work habits

• Each assignment I give my students should be assessing a specific skill, curricular competency, or content outcome. If my goal is to assess my students’ ability to construct full sentences in French using the proper conjugation of the verb “avoir,” then that is what should be marked. When a student turns in their sentences doesn’t affect their ability to create the sentences. If the sentences are correct, whenever they are turned in, then the student has met the intended learning outcome and shows proficiency in that skill. That is what I am truly assessing.

2. Taking off marks can have the opposite effect than desired

• If points are taken off every day that an assignment is late, then it stands to reason that at some point, the assignment will be worth 0 points. When students reach the stage when their assignments are not worth any more points, what is the motivation to complete it and turn it in at all? If the goal is for the work to be done, so that the student can demonstrate a skill or share their thinking on a concept, taking off marks may actually stop that learning from taking place.

3. It doesn’t make much difference in student behaviour

• In my experience, taking off marks for late work isn’t the motivator that teachers hope it will be. When I was a new teacher, I took marks off for late work, but I still had students who handed in late work. I realize now that it was a punitive action to take off marks, not an educational action. It didn’t help my Grade 9 students become more organized or manage their time better. Those who were already organized benefited, but those who weren’t did not. Students who were struggling with the material, who didn't have anyone at home to help them, who had busy lives outside of school (part time jobs, sports, etc.), were being treated unfairly.

So, what should we do instead?

• Be mindful of what we are assessing. Is it an academic skill or a work habit? If it is an academic skill, is time management part of that skill?

• Explicitly teach organizational and time management skills and strategies.

• Teach students how to prioritize their time.

• Talk with students who frequently hand in late assignments to figure out why. Having empathy for our students reduces our frustration when they don’t behave the way we expect.

So, what do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Do you take off marks for late work? Why or why not?

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