6154(a)

Instruction

Homework

The responsibility of the school district to educate the student is carried out by the teachers through effective classroom instruction and the careful delegation of independent study. It is important for the student to be taught the concepts related to the subject area and how to study in school before he/she is given work to do at home. There is, therefore, a steady increase in the amount of homework expected of students from the elementary grades through the senior high school.

Worthwhile homework benefits students. Homework should be an extension of the class lesson, be clearly understood by students, be well planned and meaningful, and be evaluated, corrected, and count for class credit.

The immediate purpose of a specific homework assignment may be to:

1. Strengthen basic skills

2. Extend classroom learning

3. Stimulate and further interests

4. Reinforce independent study skills

5. Develop initiative, responsibility, and self-direction

6. Stimulate worthwhile use of leisure time

7. Acquaint parents with the work students do in school.

Homework assignments shall be planned in accordance with the following principles:

1. If homework is to have value, its purpose and relation to what has been learned in the classroom must be clearly understood by the student.

2. Students should understand not only what to do, but also how to do it.

3. Homework should grow from classroom problems, projects, and concerns.

4. The student's age, need for play time, and out-of-school responsibilities must be considered when deciding upon length of any assignment. The student must bear responsibility for managing his time in a way that homework can be completed and be submitted on time.

6154(b)

Instruction

Homework (continued)

5. Assignments should make use of a variety of skills.

6. Every homework assignment must be properly corrected and/or evaluated in keeping with the purpose of the assignment. To the extent possible such corrections/evaluations shall be shared with the students involved in a timely fashion.

7. When a student's grade is being adversely affected by poor homework performance, the teacher shall communicate orally, or in writing, in a timely fashion with parents/guardians concerning the problem.

8. All homework assigned will be reflected in the child's grade.

The Board encourages the administration to assist teachers in planning homework assignments in keeping with the above guidelines. Additionally:

1. The Board expects that Principals (or department heads/supervisors where appropriate) will monitor the implementation of this homework policy through various approaches such as review of lesson plans, observation of classes, conferences with teachers, examination of student papers and/or other related activities.

2. The Board expects that each principals will clearly define the homework policy of his/her departments. All such departmental policies must keep with this Board of Education homework policy.

Average Time

Level (minutes per week)

K (45 minutes)

1-3 (150 minutes)

4-5 (175 minutes)

6-7-8 (300 minutes)

9-12 (600 minutes)

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

10-221 Boards of Education to prescribe rules, policies and procedures.

Policy adopted: September 14, 2004 EAST HADDAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Moodus, Connecticut