Policy #6154.00
HOMEWORK / MAKE-UP WORK
The Board of Education believes that homework, like other aspects of our educational program, should reflect research and best practice. Ensuring that homework is meaningful in its nature and manageable in terms of its scope are the two guiding principles that govern this policy.
Guidelines for Assigning Homework:
1. Based on the instructional objectives and the need for practice, the teacher will determine if homework is needed on a daily basis. Homework may be the same for the entire class or may reflect individual student needs. Students’ development level needs to be considered; differentiation should occur when possible and necessary.
2. Written assignments should reinforce learning, not provide new skill instruction. For practice, the number of items that are similar in nature should be limited. (e.g. assign 6 double digit multiplication problems not 20 of the same type)
3. When homework does need to be given, teachers should assign a maximum based on the ten-minutes per grade concept. In grades where students have more than one teacher assigning homework, teachers must make every effort to coordinate their assignments. For middle school students in high school level courses (i.e. algebra, geometry, and Spanish I), the maximum may be 10-20 minutes greater than what peers taking the regular middle school curriculum experience.
4. At the elementary level, weekend homework should only include studying, reading, and long term projects. At the middle school level, weekend homework may be given. Written assignments should not be due on a Monday or the day after a holiday. Tests and quizzes may be given on Mondays, but not the day after a holiday. Holidays include Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break. At the middle school level, weekend homework may be given on a limited basis at the teacher’s discretion.
5. Students should receive timely feedback on all their homework.
6. Homework may not be assigned for punitive reasons.
Make-up Work Due to Absences:
1. If a student is absent from school for any reason, make up assignments, class work and tests must be completed within a reasonable length of time. In most cases, a reasonable length of time shall be the same number of school days as the days missed. The teacher should advise the student and, as needed, the parent/guardian of the timeline.
2. If a student is going to be out of school due to a family vacation, the parent/guardian shall notify the teacher (s) in advance. Together, the teacher and parent/guardian will determine whether the assignments will be given in advance or upon the student’s return. In either case, the time frame for the make-up work will be as indicated in the aforementioned item.
3. If a student misses class due to enrichment, intervention, or reward programs/activities, consequences (e.g. missing recess to make-up the work) may not be given to the student. The student should be provided make-up time equal to the number of classes missed.
Incomplete Work at the End of a Marking Period:
1. When a pupil does not complete required work missed for absence or other reasons, he / she will receive an “Incomplete” for the marking period. Pupils will be given 10 school days following the end of the marking period to make up the missed work. The grade for the marking period will be calculated based on the work submitted.
2. If work is missing during the final marking period of the school year, the grade will be left to the discretion of the teacher.