R 2330 HOMEWORK
 
A.	Content of Homework

1.	Homework should be a thoughtfully planned and research-based component of the curriculum, appropriately extending and reinforcing the learning experience of the school;
 
2.	Homework should be personalized for children by providing practice towards the mastery of reading, comprehension, and mathematical reasoning as well as, an opportunity to remediate areas of weakness.
 
3.	Homework should help develop the pupil's responsibility and provide an opportunity for the exercise of independent work and judgment;

4.	Homework assignments should not require extensive copy work.
 
5.	Homework must never serve a punitive or disciplinary function; learning, in school or at home, must always be a positive experience, rewarding for its own sake.
 
B.	Assignment of Homework
 
1.	The number, frequency, and degree of difficulty of homework assignments should be based on the academic grade level of the students ability and needs of the pupil and take into account other activities such as family time that make a legitimate claim on the pupil's time;

2.	Homework must be clearly assigned in advance and its product 
 	carefully evaluated and that evaluation should be reported to the pupil and the parent(s) or legal guardian(s);
 
3.	Teachers must recognize the role of parent(s) or legal guardian(s) by fostering positive relationships and effectively communicating homework to parent(s) or legal guardian(s). 

Teachers must observe the following District guidelines for the introduction and assignment of homework.  Total time allotments include all aspects of the homework assignments -- outside of the classroom reading, research, studying, and all other learning activities.
 
Grades 9-12: Homework should be based on the grade level of the  students, ability and needs of the pupil and take into account other activities such as family time that make a legitimate claim on the pupil's time; Whenever possible the due date of reading assignments, written assignments  and assessments that require preparation and studying must be made available at least three days in advance to students.  Notification of long term assignments and major projects must be provided to students at least a week in advance of the due date. 
  
4.	Teachers are encouraged to utilize tools such as Google Classroom, Edlio, Google Sites and/or Google Calendar to communicate homework assignments to students and parents.
 
5.	A teacher may accede to a parent or legal guardian’s  request for additional homework assignments for a pupil, provided the teacher, in his/her discretion, believes that the pupil will benefit from the assignment.
 
6.	A pupil who has been absent from school will be given an opportunity to make up homework assignments within a reasonable timeframe.
 
7.	The parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of an absent pupil may request homework assignments to be completed during the pupil's absence. Whenever possible Teachers are expected to comply with any such requests. 

8. 	Teachers should be judicious when assigning homework and avoid 
assignments that require technology and/or resources that are not readily available to every household.
 
C.	Evaluation of Homework
 
1.	All homework must be evaluated by the teacher and the teacher's feedback  must be communicated to the pupil.  Homework is not a valid learning activity if the pupil receives no acknowledgment of his/her work and no feedback.
 
2.	Teachers should insist on high standards of quality in homework, however they must operative in consideration of student’s individual learning needs and home life.   

D.	Checklist for Teachers
 
Teachers should be able to answer affirmatively the following questions about a homework assignment.
 
1.	Does the homework promote rigor?

2. 	Does the homework promote relevance?

3. 	Does the homework promote relationships?
 
4.	Has the assignment been communicated to students and parents as per the district guidelines for notification of homework assignments? 
 
5.	Has the class been thoughtfully prepared for the homework assignment?
 
6.	Is the work personalized and/or differentiated to meet individual needs, interests, and capacities?
  
8.	Is the assignment compliant with the District’s guidelines for grade-level frequency and length of assignment?
 
9.	Will the homework be evaluated so as to provide formative feedback?

10. 	Will the homework be integrated into daily in-school activities and lessons?

Date Adopted:	18 December 1995
Date Revised:	17 January 2017