How to Handle the Tardy Student

The class starts at 8 a.m., but students keep arriving at 8:02, 8:05, 8:10, etc. They're missing the first part of class, which is valuable instructional time. And, not only are they missing part of your class, but they are disrupting the learning of students that show up on time. So what do you do?

From: http://www.lansing.cc.mi.us/cte/resources/teachingtips/tip29.aspx

Tips on Deterring Tardiness

Tardiness is disruptive to the learning process. While it may be unavoidable on the rare occasion, unattended or unnoticed tardiness can persist and become chronic. The following tips are provided to assist in deterring this problem

1. On the first day of class, review your policy on tardiness.

More importantly, adhere to it. If you are considering making exceptions, keep in mind that while the student who is asking for an exception may have a very legitimate reason, you don’t know what sacrifices the other 20 students made to arrive on time. Also, allow for some flexibility in your policies. For example, some faculty give their students one "pass" that they can use towards being late, no questions asked.

The following policy comes from a college instructor at Moravian College:"Tardiness to class is not only detrimental to the learning process but quite disruptive and unfair to those who make it to class on time regularly. Recurring tardiness shows a lack of respect for the classroom, the instructor, and one’s fellow students and will not be tolerated. Therefore, once the door has been shut, you will not be permitted to enter." (Rosen, Joel Nathan. "Writing 100 Course Syllabus." Moravian College. Accessed October 8, 2008. http://home.moravian.edu/public/regis/syllabiproject/pdfs/200670/writ100g.pdf)

2. Model promptness by starting on time and ending on time.

3. Have a routine at the beginning of class that students would hate to miss (e.g. a warm up activity related to the topic, an in-class writing assignment worth a few points that can not be made up, a homework quiz that they have the first ten minutes to work on together, etc.). Whatever the activity, it should not be interrupted or extended for latecomers.

4. Have logical consequences for being late.
Do not reteach the class or stop what you are doing. Hold the students responsible for obtaining any missed information, handouts, etc. and make this policy clear at the onset.

5. Speak privately to chronically late students.
Remind them that you are on their side and you want them to succeed, but according to the syllabus...

6. Specifically acknowledge the late student(s) by saying something like "Hello. How are you today?" However, this does not support #3 and 4 above, but it may better suit your style.

References
Reed, Rosalind. "Strategies for Dealing with Troublesome Behaviors in the Classroom." October 1997, Vol.6 No.6. The National Teaching and Learning Forum. Accessed October 8, 2008. <http://www.ntlf.com/html/pi/9710/strat.htm>
Rodriguez, Lisa. "Classroom Management." 2008. 4Faculty.org. Accessed October, 8, 2008. <http://www.4faculty.org/includes/108r2.jsp>
Rosen, Joel Nathan. "Writing 100 Course Syllubus." Moravian College. Accessed October 8, 2008. <http://home.moravian.edu/public/regis/syllabiproject/pdfs/200670/writ100g.pdf>
Texas Tech University, "Civility in the Classroom: Tips for Dealing with Troublesome Behavior." Faculty Guide. 2001-2002. Accessed October 8, 2008. <http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentaffairs/vpsa/publications/civility2002.pdf>