6154 BP - Homework Policy

Instruction
Board Policy No. 6154 
Policy Approved:  June 6, 2007

HOMEWORK POLICY

The Governing Board recognizes that meaningful homework with timely feedback contributes toward building student responsibility, self-discipline and life-long learning habits, and that appropriate homework can affect a student’s ability to meet state and district academic expectations. Research indicates that meaningful purposes of homework may include:

  • Developing independent study habits
  • Building and strengthening bonds between home and school
  • Practicing research skills
  • Promoting oral and silent reading
  • Providing feedback to teachers and students about student learning and achievement
  • Providing independent practice of skills learned in class

As a district we have embraced a continuous improvement model as our strategy for meeting our goal of academic excellence. Homework plays in integral role in this process. The Board encourages students, parents, guardians, and staff to view homework as an important part of a student’s daily life.

The Board expects staff to be knowledgeable about effective uses of homework. As needed, teachers may receive training in designing relevant, challenging, and meaningful homework assignments that reinforce classroom and district learning objectives.

The board believes that because different children work at different paces, the amount of time spent on homework is not necessarily a good measure of the appropriateness of the homework.  As a general guideline, parents should expect an average of 10 minutes of homework per grade level per night (see table), keeping in mind that different students may take slightly more or less time to complete assignments.

Homework Guideline

Grade Average Nightly Homework

K                      Occasional short homework

1                      10 minutes

2                      20 minutes

3                      30 minutes

4                      40 minutes

5                      50 minutes

6                      60 minutes

7                      70 minutes

8                      80 minutes

 

For the most part, children should be able to complete homework independently.  Homework for younger children (Kindergarten and 1st grade) may be a partnership activity between children and parents as needed.  As students progress through the grades, homework should become a more independent endeavor.  When a student sees multiple teachers during the school day, the Board expects teacher coordination with regard to student work load.

In addition to regular nightly homework, parents should expect regular reading assignments each week.  Teachers should take into account the time needed for nightly reading when assigning homework. Courses such as band, choir, and honor classes may also require time beyond that indicated above.

If a parent or guardian feels that homework is not serving their student’s learning, the Board encourages the parent to confer with the teacher.  Issues falling in this realm may include, but are not limited to, time spent on homework and amount and/or type of homework.  During the conference, the teacher and parent may determine whether adjustments are appropriate.  If issues are not resolved with the teacher, the parent is encouraged to meet with the principal.

The Board recognizes that students may need additional homework help outside of regularly scheduled class time.  To this end, the Board encourages the Superintendent or designee to design transportation schedules that will enable students to make use of homework support services.

Research shows that “academic slide” occurring over the course of summer vacation can be equivalent to more than two months of cumulative learning.  For this reason, summer reading is encouraged.  General review may be recommended to increase knowledge retention between grade levels. The Board discourages the practice of assigning homework for completion during other holiday breaks.

The board recognizes that the research on homework is ongoing and the results from this research will continue to evolve.  The board will continue to monitor the research and update this policy as necessary.

Make Up Work

Students who miss school work because of an excused absence shall be given the opportunity to complete all assignments and tests that can be reasonably provided.  As determined by the teacher, the assignments and tests shall be reasonably equivalent to, but not necessarily identical to, the assignments and tests missed during the absence.  Students shall receive full credit for work satisfactorily completed within a reasonable period of time.

Students who miss school work because of unexcused absences shall be given the opportunity to make up missed work.  Teachers shall assign such makeup work as necessary to ensure academic progress, not as a punitive measure.

Site Procedures

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that each principal consults with their school’s Site Council to develop, implement, and regularly review school-site homework procedures consistent with board policy.  The site shall inform parents of homework procedures at least once a year.


 

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