Board members Dawn Ovrom and Brenda Kracht will lead the Superintendent’s Committee to Revise the Homework Policy. The committee will meet several times during the 11-12 school year and will forward its recommendations to the Governing Board in May 2012. Members of this committee will include Claudia Gallant, CUSD Curriculum & Instruction Director, a school administrator, 4 teachers, 4 parents, and 4 students.
The Board invites anyone interested in serving on the committee to contact Dawn Ovrom at [email protected]. From those interested in serving on the committee, the Superintendent will select a diverse cross-section of people representing all viewpoints.
Below please find the newly adopted Homework Policy and Administrative Regulations (AR). Completing the content of the highlighted areas of the AR will be the committee’s work.
Coronado Unified School District
Instruction BP 6154
Homework/Makeup Work
Homework is defined as the time students spend outside the classroom in assigned learning activities. The Board believes that the purpose of homework is to increase knowledge, inspire creativity, improve ability and practice skills. In its priority to educate the whole child, the Board believes, and research supports, that meaningful and appropriate homework is a relevant extension of the classroom that can positively affect student learning. Assignments are based on the individual needs of each student and stress quality rather than quantity. The Board values and supports the relationship between parents and teachers that fosters student growth. Further, the Board believes that completing homework is the responsibility of the student.
Meaningful and Appropriate homework:
1. Has a clear academic purpose (such as practice, checking for understanding, or applying knowledge or skills).
2. Efficiently demonstrates student learning.
3. Promotes ownership (by offering choices and being personally relevant).
4. Instills a sense of competence (the student can success fully complete it without help).
5. Appears enjoyable and interesting.
Site Homework Plans
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that administrators and teachers develop and implement an effective homework plan at each school site. The district homework policy and site homework plan will be introduced to parents and students at the beginning of each school year and remain posted in classrooms and on all school websites.
Makeup Work
Students who miss school work because of an excused absence shall have, upon their return to school, at least two school days to complete all assignments and tests that can be provided. As determined by the teacher, the assignments and tests shall be 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 site-determined time limits. (cf. 5113 Absences and Excuses)
Students who miss school work because of unexcused absences or suspensions may be given the opportunity to make up missed work for full or reduced credit. Teachers shall assign such makeup work as necessary to ensure academic progress, not as a punitive measure.
Legal Reference: EDUCATION CODE, 48205 Absences for personal reasons, 48913 Completion of work missed by suspended student, 48980 Parent Notifications
Management References: SBE policies, Policy Statement on Homework, Sept. 1994, Rethinking Homework, Vatterott, 2009
Policy CORONADO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: August 19, 2010 Coronado, California
revised: May 26, 2011 Coronado, California
Coronado Unified School District
Instruction AR 6154
Homework/Makeup Work
Homework is an integral component of education that deepens student learning and understanding. K-12 students will participate in homework that is meaningful, purposeful and appropriate.
Section I: Guidelines For All Grade Levels
1. Parents are the primary educators of their children and their involvement is recognized as a critical dimension of effective schooling.
2. Although it is the student’s responsibility to do most homework assignments independently, the Board expects teachers at all grade levels to involve parents/guardians as a contributing resource. (cf. 6020 Parent Involvement)
3. Parents are encouraged to contact the teacher with questions and concerns about their students’ homework. If students repeatedly fail to do their homework, the teacher shall notify parents/guardians in a timely manner.
(cf. 5020 Parents Rights and Responsibilities)
4. Guidelines in this policy are based on the needs of the average student. Times are suggested as a guide for parents/guardians. The amount of time each student spends on any given assignment depends on many factors. Time spent on homework should be balanced with the importance of personal and family well-being, and the wide array of family obligations experienced in our society today.
5. Students in advanced courses should expect greater levels of homework that may require additional time.
6. Reading and research are integral parts of learning and consistent elements of homework.
7. There are three types of homework: practice, preparation and extension
a. Practice assignments reinforce newly acquired skills;
b. Preparation assignments help students get ready for activities that will occur in the classroom;
c. Extension assignments are frequently long-term continuing projects that will occur in the classroom.
8. Technological advances initiate and continue to offer a larger spectrum of learning opportunities to support different learning styles.
9. Since education is a dynamic process, flexibility is an important element in the design and execution of homework assignments.
Grade Level Guidelines
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
Section II. School-Site Homework Plan
The principal and staff at each school shall develop and regularly review a school-site homework plan which includes guidelines for the assignment of homework and describes the responsibilities of students, staff and parents/guardians. The plan shall identify all of the following:
1. For each grade level, the amount of time that students shall be expected to spend on homework
2. For each grade level, the extent to which homework assignments shall systematically involve participation by parents/guardians
3. The means by which parents/guardians shall be informed about:
a. Homework expectations
b. How homework relates to the student’s grades
c. How best to help their children
4. Techniques that will be taught to help students allocate their time wisely, meet their deadlines and develop good personal study habits
5. The access that students shall have to obtain:
a. Resource materials from the library media center
b. Assistance and/or tutoring through telephone help lines and/or after-school centers
6. The means by which teachers shall coordinate assignments so that students do not receive an overload of homework one day and very little the next
7. For each grade level, the extent to which homework assignments shall emphasize independent research, reports, special reading and problem-solving activities
Makeup Work
The Superintendent or designee shall notify parents/guardians that no student may have his/her grade reduced or lose academic credit for any excused absence when missed assignments and tests are satisfactorily completed within a reasonable period of time. Such notification shall include the full text of Education Code 48205.
(cf. 5121 – Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)(cf. 5145.6 – Parental Notifications)
The teacher of any class from which a student is suspended may require the student to complete any assignments and tests missed during the suspension.
(Education Code 48913)(cf. 5144.1 – Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process)
Section III. Responsibilities
Students are responsible for:
Parents/Guardians are responsible for:
Teachers are responsible for:
Principals are responsible for:
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
48205 Absences for personal reasons
48913 Completion of work missed by suspended student
Management Resources:
SBE Policies
Policy Statement on homework, Sept. 1994
www.KidSource.com
Policy CORONADO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Regulation CORONADO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
approved: August 19, 2010 Coronado, California
revised: May 26, 2010
revised: May 2012, Coronado, CA
