Late and Missing Assignment Policy

Ensuring Success Through Consistent Participation

At CIC Ontario Secondary School, meeting deadlines is essential for preparing students for university and life. Students must submit assignments promptly on specified dates. If an extension is needed due to commitments or circumstances, students must negotiate with their subject teacher.

eachers will support students by arranging modified assignments or due date extensions in collaboration with the principal. Unnegotiated late or missed assignments will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Student Responsibilities

Students are expected to submit assignments promptly on the dates specified by teachers. It is the student’s responsibility to complete tasks on time. If a student requires an extension due to school-related commitments, illness, or other circumstances, the student must negotiate the extension with his or her subject teacher. Subject teachers will support and assist students by working in collaboration with the principal or designate and arrange for modified assignments and/or due date extensions. In instances where a student has not negotiated an extension and an assignment deadline is missed, homework is incomplete or a class test is missed, the consequence will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Teacher Responsibilities

Teachers inform students that they are responsible for their behavior in the classroom and the school and for providing evidence of their achievement of the overall expectations of the curriculum. Teachers specify the requirements for the completion of coursework, including the timeframe for completion and the form of the work required. Submitting assignments late is a learning skills issue and is best dealt with as such. Teachers should continue to help students understand the benefits of managing their time well and explicitly teach the skills that will enable students to effectively meet the expectations of the learning skills: responsibility, organization, and independent work.

Handling Absences

Missed Classes: When a student misses a class, they will be expected to make up the time missed.
Teacher Consultation: Teachers and the student will consult about how to make up the time and how to assess the skills and knowledge that would have been missed by the student.

Encouraging Timely Submission

The following is a list of suggested strategies that teachers in their professional judgment may use to help prevent and/or address late and missed assignments. They include:

Helping students develop better time-management skills
Collaborating with other staff to prepare a part or full-year calendar of major assignment dates for every class
Planning for major assignments to be completed in stages, so that students are less likely to be faced with an all-or-nothing situation at the last minute
Maintaining ongoing communication with students and/or parents about due dates and late assignments, and scheduling conferences with parents if the problem persists
Referring to student’s IEP for suggested accommodations/modifications
Providing alternative forms of assignments
Encouraging the use of assistive technology

Assisting Students

Asking the student to clarify the reason for not completing the assignment
Referring the student to the Student Success team or teacher
Taking into consideration legitimate reasons for missed deadlines
Setting up a student contract
Using counseling or peer tutoring to try to deal positively with problems
Holding teacher-student conferences
Providing alternative assignments or tests/exams where, in the teacher’s professional judgment, it is reasonable and appropriate to do so
Deducting marks for late assignments, up to and including the full value of the assignment

Additional Support

Reviewing the need for extra support for English language learners
Reviewing whether students require special education services
Requiring the student to work with a school team to complete the assignment
For First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students, involving Aboriginal counselors and members of the extended family
Understanding and considering the cultures, histories, and contexts of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students and parents and their previous experiences with the school system

Importance of Timely Submission

Maintaining timely submission of assignments is crucial for academic success and future preparedness. It helps students develop essential time management and organizational skills, which are vital for success in higher education and professional life. Adhering to deadlines fosters a sense of responsibility and discipline, ensuring that students can manage their workload effectively. Understanding the importance of meeting deadlines prepares students to meet the expectations and challenges of post-secondary education and beyond.