Across Canada, many school boards have adopted No Zero policies for students, which means that students cannot receive a grade of zero for their work even if it is submitted months late or incomplete.
No Zero policies are harmful to students. Students quickly learn that assignment due dates amount to mere suggestions, and teachers are left pleading with them to finish work.
Instead of mandating No Zero policies, provincial government and school boards should allow teachers to use their professional discretion in dealing with late or incomplete assignments. Teachers are trained professionals and should be trusted to determine the appropriate penalty for late or incomplete work. Mandated No Zero policies do no favours to teachers or students.