students behavior

how do you get a student to complete assigned work when you have asked over and over for them to do so?

Excellent question. How do we get anyone to do what we ask? The obvious answer is power and authority; however, the instructor/student relationship is a unique relationship. There are complications involved when we factor in performance, attentiveness, and test scores. Ultimately, the student is responsible for their own work and in the grand scheme of things, they have to justify life decisions to themselves.

I wish it was that clear cut when we are talking about human interaction and cause and effect.

I too struggle with but a few students who show up each semester and do nothing. I have found after much deliberation that I do not give grades but they are earned by the students. They make the choice to show responsibilty or not.
One thing that bothers me is the current financial climate in all of education. As teachers we are asked to keep the students in the seat ut why give them a grade for no effort? When someone finds the answer to that one let me know.

Unfortunately, we also have to teach responsibility and accountability. Something they missed at home and previous school. We've spent too much time in this country worrying that the students "feel good" rather than do good. (Yes I know, it should be "do well".)