Deadline and Flexibility Policies
Deadlines and flexibility around deadlines are an important consideration for all courses. Once again, clarity for the students is of the utmost importance to ensure they are set up for success. Faculty must also be intentional and aware of their own time constraints and limitations around grading and grade turn-around, when creating deadlines.
Below we've provided policy options, as well as rationale for using each of them—or not. Feel free to use the language below in your syllabus, and adapt as necessary.
Fixed Deadlines with Allowed Revision of Work
Fixed Deadlines with the Lowest Assignment in a Set Dropped Automatically
Fixed Deadlines with Specific Count Flexibility
Open/No "Deadlines"
Set Deadlines with Make-Up Policies
Set Deadlines with No "Late" Policy
Fixed Deadlines with Allowed Revision of Work
Deadlines are firm, but work can be revised.
Sample Syllabus Policy: "Students should make every effort to submit their assignments and materials on time in order to ensure prompt feedback and grading. However, we are all human and things happen. If you feel at any point that you are overwhelmed with deadlines or are falling behind, please reach out as soon as possible. Please note that for most assignments (but not quizzes and exams) you are permitted to resubmit twice [or another specific number of times] in order to utilize the feedback to move toward mastery of the material and improve your overall grade, if desired. Resubmissions must be submitted within two weeks of the original deadline (or before the penultimate day of class) in order to ensure it gets re-graded."
| Rationale For | Rationale Against |
|---|---|
| Students can learn and grow from the feedback. Emphasis on student growth and learning rather than grades or performance. Reduces pressure for the students, especially for topics with a steep learning curve. | Additional time for grading, especially if feedback is being offered on the resubmission also. |
Fixed Deadlines with the Lowest Assignment in a Set Dropped Automatically
Deadlines are firm, but the lowest assignment is dropped from their final grade.
Sample Syllabus Policy: "Your grade in this course is in your hands. If you successfully complete the two major term assignments listed below (and nothing else), you will receive a C in the course. If you successfully complete those two major assignments plus six reading responses, you will receive a B. If you successfully complete the two major assignments, six reading responses, and an in-class research presentation, you will receive an A in the course."
| Rationale For | Rationale Against |
|---|---|
| Allows for the natural variability in student lives without penalizing them. Also allows for variability in student interest and understanding on a specific topic. Reduces pressure for students at the end of the semester. | Dropping one assignment won’t make up for student issues that affect more than one assignment. |
Fixed Deadlines with Specific Count Flexibility
Students are given a set amount of extra time to complete assignments upon request.
Sample Syllabus Policy: "Students should make every effort to submit their assignments and materials on time in order to ensure prompt feedback and grading. In the event that a deadline is missed or going to be missed, please reach out so we can discuss make-up assignments and set new timelines/ in the event that a deadline is missed by three days or more one grade point deduction (e.g. B to C) will be added for each day over the deadline.
If you feel at any point that you are overwhelmed with deadlines or are falling behind, please reach out as soon as possible."
| Rationale For | Rationale Against |
|---|---|
| Allows for the natural variability in student lives without penalizing them. | May lead to increased grading burden across different days. May require differential policies on the amount of feedback received which may lead to inequities. Clarity around the limits of the flexibility (e.g., three days late is accepted, four days late leads to a grade deduction) will still be required to ensure students understand how to be successful in the course. |
Open/No "Deadlines"
The course has no fixed deadlines (aside from the end of the semester). Students submit work on a rolling basis based on progress.
Sample Syllabus Policy: "Your work in this class is considered to be ongoing and may be turned in once you are satisfied with it and/or would like feedback. Please note that the continuous nature of submissions in the class may mean different feedback turnaround times. All assignments submitted for a grade will be expected to be submitted by the final day of class/ [enter specific date]."
| Rationale For | Rationale Against |
| Allows for the natural variability in student lives without penalizing them. Encourages more focus on student learning than assignment performance. | Grading timelines may be more difficult to manage. Some students may choose to submit all work at the end of the semester, all at once, producing difficulties managing grading workload and also making it impossible for students to learn from feedback on one assignment in doing the next. Clarity around assignments will need to be very clear to avoid an influx of student questions at the end of the semester. |
Set Deadlines with Make-Up Policies
Deadlines are firm, but make-up assignments are possible.
Sample Syllabus Policy: "Students should make every effort to submit their assignments and materials on time in order to ensure prompt feedback and grading. However, we are all human and things happen. In the event that a deadline is missed or going to be missed, please reach out so we can discuss make-up assignments and set new timelines. If you feel at any point that you are overwhelmed with deadlines or are falling behind, please reach out as soon as possible."
| Rationale For | Rationale Against |
|---|---|
| Allows for the natural variability in student lives without penalizing them. Clear and simple guidelines facilitate student success. Allows focus to be shifted to quality of work. | The lack of a fixed policy allows for the possibility of bias, as you will be making extension decisions on a case-by-case basis. If the assignments have right/wrong answers (e.g. quizzes etc., this policy may cause academic integrity concerns (e.g., students sharing answers) or the faculty member must offer alternate assignments. |
Set Deadlines with No "Late" Policy
Deadlines are firm and late work is always penalized.
Sample Syllabus Policy: "Given the nature of this course and assignment, deadlines are fixed and non-negotiable. Students are responsible for submitting all assignments at the allocated time. No make-up work or grading will be offered. University-approved absences must be shared with the faculty member ahead of time and accounted for in the submission deadline."
| Rationale For | Rationale Against |
| Very clear policy. Ensures all students will be treated the same way. Useful for classes where the answers/problem solutions must be shared in a timely manner in order for student learning to progress. Useful for classes where work is completed cumulatively. Useful for classes that are very large. | Students may be penalized for circumstances often beyond their control. Treating the students the same way, when they are leading different lives, can produce inequities. May produce barriers for certain students and increased workload and communication to the faculty member. |
