• Homework Policy

     Final - Board Approved 1/22/18

    STATE COLLEGE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

    [effective 18/19 school year]

    SECTION: 100 - PROGRAMS

    TITLE: HOMEWORK

    NUMBER: 130

    ADOPTED: AUGUST 26, 2002

    REVISED: JANUARY 22, 2018

    1.      HOMEWORK 

    Purpose

    The Board affirms that the purpose of homework is to nurture an appreciation of learning outside of school by providing authentic, purposeful, and differentiated experiences that extend and reinforce classroom instruction. Homework assignments support the development of lifelong skills of responsibility, independence, organization, time management, and perseverance.

    This policy is written to communicate the Board’s expectations of consistent homework guidelines across the district.

    Background

    Research has evidenced that homework has a small effect on student learning at the elementary level and a medium to large effect at the secondary level.  (Hattie 2009, 2015)

    Guidelines

    The amount of homework assigned must consider factors such as age, grade, ability level of the student, and the balance of school and non-school activities in a student’s life.

    As indicated by research findings, District homework regulations for the elementary level should emphasize the value of daily reading at home; restrict required daily homework for classes in the K-5 level to a minimum; and, increase required daily homework slightly from primary (K-2) to intermediate grades (3-5).  Decisions that require flexibility are to be discussed by the teacher and parents and be based on student needs or interests.

    Delegation of Responsibility

    The Superintendent or designee shall be responsible for the development and communication of district-wide homework administrative regulations. The administrative regulations will support a consistent approach across schools and build from grade to grade.  

    For more detailed information, also see 130 - G, ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION FOR K-5 HOMEWORK.



    Administrative Regulations for Homework 

    STATE COLLEGE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

    [effective 18/19 school year]

    SECTION: 100 - PROGRAMS

    TITLE: HOMEWORK - Administrative Regulation

    NUMBER: 130 - G

    ADOPTED: JANUARY 22, 2018

    130 - G.      ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION FOR K-5 HOMEWORK

    Note: Updated regulations for grades 6-12 will be developed.

    Purpose

    These administrative regulations support a consistent approach across schools and build from grade to grade.  

    Expectations by Grade Level

    The following guidelines represent district expectations for homework assigned by a teacher in both daily reading, as well as a maximum for homework assigned per day and/or week. This does not include optional exploration or learning activities in which families choose to engage (e.g. - online resources, additional reading, parent/student requests).

     

    Kindergarten

    First

    Second

    10 minutes for nightly reading - no other homework, except for review of communication folder

    10 minutes for nightly reading - no other homework, except for review of communication folder

    10 minutes for nightly reading - no other homework, except for review of communication folder

     

    Third

    Fourth

    Fifth

    20 minutes for nightly reading and 10 minutes daily maximum or 40 minutes weekly maximum for other homework

    20 minutes for nightly reading and 20 minutes daily maximum or 80 minutes weekly maximum for other homework

    20 minutes for nightly reading and 20 minutes daily maximum or 80 minutes weekly maximum for other homework


    What Reading at Home Could Look Like

    • Adult/Family member reading to child
    • Adult/Family member reading with child - taking turns page by page
    • Child reading alone or with adult/family member
    • Reading can include reading books, magazines, recipes, lego directions, blog, etc.

    Teacher and Family Practices

    Teacher Practices

    Family Practices
    • Assign reading for joy nightly (no reading logs, sticky notes, etc.).
    • Ask students what they read at home - have them share in class.
    • Communicate classroom learning via a newsletter/Seesaw, etc. (homework is not the mechanism to inform families what their child is learning in school).
    • Assignments should be authentic, purposeful, differentiated, and connect to what was learned in school.
    • Teachers need to collaborate when assigning homework so as not to exceed the maximums and to create coherence across the school. (Students accelerated out of grade are assigned the homework for the grade level into which they are accelerated.)
    • Students may not miss recess for not completing homework.
    • Create opportunities with teachers and/or volunteers for students who don’t/can’t do homework.
    • Envision math homework beyond the worksheet. Consider menus and choices.
    • Communicate homework expectations during Back to School Nights during both the principal and teacher  presentation.
    • In order to foster perseverance, encourage students to make independent first attempts at learning.
    • Create an environment that respects education and learning.
    • Create a homework space for your child.
    • Encourage your child to complete homework independently.  If your child can not complete the homework, work to support your child and communicate with the teacher if the child can not do it.
    • Respect the time suggested by the guidelines.
    • Read classroom newsletters, Seesaw, emails, etc. that communicate classroom learning.
    • Access online tools if families want additional work, such as Exact Path.
    • Encourage students in grades 3-5 to develop time management skills by planning how to complete homework.
    • For grades K-2, develop a home routine for fostering independence.

     

    Please note: individual situations and/or cases may call for flexibility.

     
Last Modified on August 7, 2018