[jensw]

I have a policy that students are supposed to do the assigned work in class and if they don't finish it, it's homework. This serves to keep most of them on track because they don't want homework. The "rule" is that you have until the scheduled time of the subject the next day to complete the work, and then it is a zero if not turned in then.

I have two students who are chronic about not turning work in, and it's my fault because I cave to their parents. I use teacherease.com, and my routine is to immediately notify parents whenever a grade is below 60% (I just click "send e-mail" and it sends off the child's score on that assignment). Since many assignments are "complete/not complete" or ones that I'm capable of scoring right as they are handed in within a few minutes while the kids are working on something else, the parents are getting notifications throughout the day as we do the subject. Then I get these moms coming in at lunch or immediately after school or right as I'm going to pick up the kids, and they ask me to let their child do the work at lunch or they bring me the homework and say, "So and so forgot this at home, so I brought it for him." I always cave 'cause they're so pushy about it, but it's not fair to the other students.

How can I fix this?? They're going to be mad when I start enforcing the rule, especially since I've been so lenient in the past.

[SC]

I save sending notes like that for the end of the day. My school uses a web-based system, and it notifies parents of low grades and discipline immediately. I don't enter those items until the end of the day so I don't have to deal with emails and such in the middle of the school day.

[jensw]

But how do I deal with the fact that these parents are now conditioned to expect me to let their kids make up assignments? It's not helping the student at all because they just let mom take on all the responsibility.

[Jackie2]

I would write a letter to everyone explaining how the year end is coming soon. And to ensure the students are well prepared for the following year you will begin to expect the students strictly adhere to the given policy. I would also explain this to the students and then just stick with it.

Good Luck and stay strong!!!

[Teach4]

I agree with Jackie2. In fact, that's exactly what I was thinking before I read her post. I would send a very nice letter (or announcement through Teacherease) very nicely stating that you will begin enforcing the homework policy with no exceptions starting on a certain date. You may even want to mention a few of the "offender" behaviors. By this I mean you can say, children will no longer be able to complete work during lunch or have work brought in during the day for full credit. If the work is not in at the beginning of the the class, it will be marked as a zero. Then give a few hints for making sure the homework is in on time. For instance, check backpacks in the evening before coming the school, etc.

You don't mention the age of the kids. If they are elementary, do you have some sort of system to help them remember their homework like homework folders, assginment notebooks, or something???

[jensw]

Thanks. I'll do the announcement and a letter home.

They're 5th grade. I have DOG books (like MOOSE books), a page in the DOG book for writing down assignments, and I update a website every night with what is expected to be submitted the next day. If they complete the work in class, they are supposed to put it in a "colored folder" that they keep at their desks all day. Then I collect those as they get picked up (helps me keep track of who went home and who is just missing) at the end of the day. If they don't complete the work, when the time is up to be working on it, I say "Put this in the "Homework" section" of your DOG book" (or I might call on someone and say, "Where is this supposed to go?").

[Suezie]

I would add a return slip to the bottom of your letter. That way you know that the parent has read the notice.

[Mrs. G]

I agree with the letter home. I might also add a line that says "Parents please do not ask for exceptions to be made." or something like that.