Louise Collins
Leon County Schools Adult & Community Education
When Louise Collins welcomes her students to her adult education class, she meets with them individually or with their parents or spouse in a formal but friendly business meeting. Armed with her PowerPoint presentation, Ms. Collins goes over rules for attendance, acceptable classroom behavior, needed forms and contact information. This business-like introduction to Adult Education gives adult students structure and shows students that learning is important. Such an introduction suggests that the habits and attitudes gained in Ms. Collinsí class are transferable to the workplace.
Once the ground rules are established, Ms. Collins backs her policies with an understanding that holds students accountable without humiliating them. When one student phoned in to say she was going to be late, Ms. Collins thanked her for calling, reminded her that this would be her fourth tardy, and told her that her paperwork would be ready for her when she got to school so that she could transfer to another class. The student managed to make it to class on time after all!
Of course Ms. Collins does consider individual student needs when she enforces the rules, but consideration of individual needs does not imply a lack of standards or structure. Ms. Collins is in charge of her class by setting the rules and enforcing the rules. Her adult learners gain ownership of the class by mastering the rules and applying them to create their own successful work ethic. You may not be able to kindly hold to a three-tardy rule, but you can kindly hold to whatever rules you set and the more you do, the better off your students are.
Remember that a professional, clear presentation of rules and expectations, whatever they may be, is essential to student success. Look at Louise's rules about tardies, attendance and class conduct and consider how clear, thorough and brief they are. Adopt or adapt what you will and consider what your rules would be for assignment deadlines, room maintenance, small group work, record keeping and class participation.
Class starts at 8:30 a.m. sharp and ends at 11:30 a.m.
You are allowed 2 tardies per semester.
After the 3rd tardy you will be dismissed from class for 2 days.
On the 4th tardy you will be transferred to another class.
You are allowed 2 absences per semester.
The 3rd absence results in a 2-day dismissal.
Next absence, transfer to another class, please!
If you're sick, you still come!!!
Please bring documentation if you were at the doctor, dentist, court, etc.