Homework

As per Policy 6122R

 

Homework should be assigned as reinforcement of the class instruction or to prepare for an upcoming class topic. It shall be of quality and relevance to the subject matter and further the student’s comprehension. Assignments must adhere to the following guidelines:

 

• Homework should be tied to the curriculum and to a student’s instructional level with consideration of the student’s ability.
• Homework should have explicit directions and timelines.
• Homework should be designed to review materials and to reinforce skills and materials taught in class, to prepare for an upcoming class topic, to extend or generalize concepts or skills learned from familiar to new situations and to offer opportunities for the student to integrate, extend, or creatively apply skills already learned.
• Homework may not be used for punishment.
• Homework should be reviewed in school to correct and reinforce appropriate learning.

 

A teacher typically assigns homework 3-5 days per week. Developmental, achievement, and ability differences among student all impact the actual time that students may spend on assignments. Long term assignments will require additional time management skills.

Since the term homework refers to school-related work that is to be completed outside the classroom, there are certain guidelines and responsibilities for students, teachers, and parents/guardians.

 

Time Guide for Out-of-Class Study

The following time guide for out-of-class study shall be adhered to by the classroom teacher in assigning properly planned and suitable assignments:

 

Maximum Average Daily Homework Guidelines by Grade Levels

 

Grade Level	Amount	Academic Level	Amount
Kindergarten	Varied formal and informal assignments			N/A
1st	10-15 minutes per day			N/A
2nd	15-30 minutes per day	2nd AI	20-40 minutes per day
3rd	20-40 minutes per day	3rd AI	30-50 minutes per day
4th	30-50 minutes per day	4th AI	40-60 minutes per day
5th	40-60 minutes per day	5th AI 5th E	60-90 minutes per day Part of 60-90 minutes per day
6th, 7th,8th	20-30 minutes per course per day, 100-150 minutes per day maximum	6th, 7th, 8th E	20-30 minutes per course per day, 100-150 minutes per day maximum
9th-12th	30 minutes per course per day	Honors Level	30 minutes per course per day

 

*Nightly independent reading for students at all levels is strongly encouraged and is not subject to the homework limits in the chart above.

 

The Student’s Role

Listed below are suggestions students will find helpful when doing their homework.

 

A. Organizational procedure in the class

1. Write down complete, detailed instructions given by the teacher.

2. Clarify any questions pertaining to the instructions before leaving class.

3. Take home instructions, books, and any materials needed to complete the assignment.

 

B. Organizational procedure at home

1. Set aside a special time in which to do the assignment.

2. Have a special place to work free from excessive noise and other distractions.

3. Establish a plan of organization for completing the homework, including long term assignments.

4. Follow the homework plan.

5. Check the completed assignment carefully.

6. Submit completed homework to the teacher by the date requested.

7. Complete summer work prior to the start of school.

 

The Teacher's Role

Considerate, discerning teachers are as conscientious and thoughtful about making appropriate homework assignments and properly preparing children for them as they are in shaping any other part of the day's plan.

 

Teachers' homework practices, based on district policy, should be discussed with students and parents/guardians at the beginning of the school year and should be reviewed as needed throughout the year.

 

1. Teachers should introduce skills and concepts and provide guided practice before making homework assignments. They should make sure that homework is not assigned unless the concept has been explicitly taught or the purpose of the assignment is to prepare for an upcoming class topic. Homework is not to be a substitute for what should have been learned in class.

2. Teachers making a homework assignment should clearly communicate the assignment to the students, clarify all questions pertaining to completing the assignment and check for student understanding, and inform students about the manner in which the assignment will be evaluated.

3. Teachers must post homework electronically.

4. Teachers should develop a clearly understood procedure for monitoring and evaluating homework assignments and communicate this procedure to students and parents/guardians.

5. Teachers should ensure that the resources required for assignments are reasonably available to students.

6. Teachers shall directly notify parents/guardians through email, phone contact, or personal communication if a student regularly fails to do homework assignments.

7. Teachers should remind students of opportunities for before and after school extra help sessions.

8. Teachers should consider extenuating circumstances such as family emergencies in scheduling homework assignments for students absent from school due to illness. (See Policy 6112, Excused Absences: Make-Up Work.)

9. Teachers should provide students with a schedule of weekly and long term assignments whenever possible.

10. Teachers may assign weekend homework whenever necessary for the continuity of instruction. The amount of homework given on a weekend or over a holiday break should not exceed the time expectations for one school day. At the primary level (K-4), however, weekend homework shall generally not be assigned.

11. Teachers should evaluate homework on the knowledge and skills that are specific to the content area (i.e. artistic ability and/or effort should not affect the grade in core subjects.)

12. Teachers should clearly communicate summer assignments including the rubric that will be used for evaluation and the ways in which the assignment will be linked to future learning.

 

The Parent’s/Guardian's Role

Completing homework assignments should be primarily the responsibility of the student; the parents/guardians, however, should assume a major role in reinforcing and encouraging the students to do their best. The positive attitudes of parents/guardians will increase the probability of their child's success in school. Several ways for parents/guardians to enhance the value of their child's study periods are listed below:

 

A. Providing a place to study

1. Arrange for a specific study area with emphasis on privacy, convenience, and consistency of location.

2. Select an area which is comfortable and quiet and has the necessary materials for completing the homework assignment.

3. Limit distractions such as radio, television, and the telephone during study period.

 

B. Monitoring the students' activities

1. Help the child in scheduling out-of-school time so that a block of time is set aside for study each day.

2. Students' homework assignments are their own responsibility. Parents/guardians can be of help in selecting topics for themes, gathering materials for experiments or projects.