It's common for educational institutions to implement late-work penalties to encourage timely submissions. In your case, assigning a 15% late penalty for assignments turned in after the deadline but before the semester ends is a clear policy. Here are some points to include in your discussion of this policy:
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Clarity: Make sure that students are aware of the late-work policy. It should be clearly stated in the syllabus and discussed during class or orientation.
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Grace Periods: Consider if you will allow any grace periods or extenuating circumstances that might exempt students from the penalty, such as illness or family emergencies.
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Calculation: Provide examples of how the penalty will be calculated. For instance, if an assignment is worth 100 points, a 15% penalty would reduce the score to 85 points if submitted late.
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Encouragement: Encourage students to submit their work on time to avoid penalties, possibly by discussing time management strategies.
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Feedback and Support: Offer feedback on late submissions, and remind students of resources available for help with time management or understanding the assignment material.
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Reflect on Impact: Consider how the policy affects students' motivation and engagement and be open to feedback about its effectiveness.
If you're looking for specific templates or additional elements to include in a syllabus regarding this policy, let me know!