homework policy for elementary school

Creating a Homework Policy With Meaning and Purpose

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M.Ed., Educational Administration, Northeastern State University
B.Ed., Elementary Education, Oklahoma State University

We have all had time-consuming, monotonous, meaningless homework assigned to us at some point in our life. These assignments often lead to frustration and boredom and students learn virtually nothing from them. Teachers and schools must reevaluate how and why they assign homework to their students. Any assigned homework should have a purpose.

Assigning homework with a purpose means that through completing the assignment, the student will be able to obtain new knowledge, a new skill, or have a new experience that they may not otherwise have. Homework should not consist of a rudimentary task that is being assigned simply for the sake of assigning something. Homework should be meaningful. It should be viewed as an opportunity to allow students to make real-life connections to the content that they are learning in the classroom. It should be given only as an opportunity to help increase their content knowledge in an area.

Differentiate Learning for All Students

Furthermore, teachers can utilize homework as an opportunity to differentiate learning for all students. Homework should rarely be given with a blanket "one size fits all" approach. Homework provides teachers with a significant opportunity to meet each student where they are and truly extend learning. A teacher can give their higher-level students more challenging assignments while also filling gaps for those students who may have fallen behind. Teachers who use homework as an opportunity to differentiate we not only see increased growth in their students, but they will also find they have more time in class to dedicate to whole group instruction .

See Student Participation Increase

Creating authentic and differentiated homework assignments can take more time for teachers to put together. As often is the case, extra effort is rewarded. Teachers who assign meaningful, differentiated, connected homework assignments not only see student participation increase, they also see an increase in student engagement. These rewards are worth the extra investment in time needed to construct these types of assignments.

Schools must recognize the value in this approach. They should provide their teachers with professional development that gives them the tools to be successful in transitioning to assign homework that is differentiated with meaning and purpose. A school's homework policy should reflect this philosophy; ultimately guiding teachers to give their students reasonable, meaningful, purposeful homework assignments.

Sample School Homework Policy

Homework is defined as the time students spend outside the classroom in assigned learning activities. Anywhere Schools believes the purpose of homework should be to practice, reinforce, or apply acquired skills and knowledge. We also believe as research supports that moderate assignments completed and done well are more effective than lengthy or difficult ones done poorly.

Homework serves to develop regular study skills and the ability to complete assignments independently. Anywhere Schools further believes completing homework is the responsibility of the student, and as students mature they are more able to work independently. Therefore, parents play a supportive role in monitoring completion of assignments, encouraging students’ efforts and providing a conducive environment for learning.

Individualized Instruction

Homework is an opportunity for teachers to provide individualized instruction geared specifically to an individual student. Anywhere Schools embraces the idea that each student is different and as such, each student has their own individual needs. We see homework as an opportunity to tailor lessons specifically for an individual student meeting them where they are and bringing them to where we want them to be.

Homework contributes toward building responsibility, self-discipline, and lifelong learning habits. It is the intention of the Anywhere School staff to assign relevant, challenging, meaningful, and purposeful homework assignments that reinforce classroom learning objectives. Homework should provide students with the opportunity to apply and extend the information they have learned complete unfinished class assignments, and develop independence.

The actual time required to complete assignments will vary with each student’s study habits, academic skills, and selected course load. If your child is spending an inordinate amount of time doing homework, you should contact your child’s teachers.

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Is Homework Good for Kids? Here’s What the Research Says

A s kids return to school, debate is heating up once again over how they should spend their time after they leave the classroom for the day.

The no-homework policy of a second-grade teacher in Texas went viral last week , earning praise from parents across the country who lament the heavy workload often assigned to young students. Brandy Young told parents she would not formally assign any homework this year, asking students instead to eat dinner with their families, play outside and go to bed early.

But the question of how much work children should be doing outside of school remains controversial, and plenty of parents take issue with no-homework policies, worried their kids are losing a potential academic advantage. Here’s what you need to know:

For decades, the homework standard has been a “10-minute rule,” which recommends a daily maximum of 10 minutes of homework per grade level. Second graders, for example, should do about 20 minutes of homework each night. High school seniors should complete about two hours of homework each night. The National PTA and the National Education Association both support that guideline.

But some schools have begun to give their youngest students a break. A Massachusetts elementary school has announced a no-homework pilot program for the coming school year, lengthening the school day by two hours to provide more in-class instruction. “We really want kids to go home at 4 o’clock, tired. We want their brain to be tired,” Kelly Elementary School Principal Jackie Glasheen said in an interview with a local TV station . “We want them to enjoy their families. We want them to go to soccer practice or football practice, and we want them to go to bed. And that’s it.”

A New York City public elementary school implemented a similar policy last year, eliminating traditional homework assignments in favor of family time. The change was quickly met with outrage from some parents, though it earned support from other education leaders.

New solutions and approaches to homework differ by community, and these local debates are complicated by the fact that even education experts disagree about what’s best for kids.

The research

The most comprehensive research on homework to date comes from a 2006 meta-analysis by Duke University psychology professor Harris Cooper, who found evidence of a positive correlation between homework and student achievement, meaning students who did homework performed better in school. The correlation was stronger for older students—in seventh through 12th grade—than for those in younger grades, for whom there was a weak relationship between homework and performance.

Cooper’s analysis focused on how homework impacts academic achievement—test scores, for example. His report noted that homework is also thought to improve study habits, attitudes toward school, self-discipline, inquisitiveness and independent problem solving skills. On the other hand, some studies he examined showed that homework can cause physical and emotional fatigue, fuel negative attitudes about learning and limit leisure time for children. At the end of his analysis, Cooper recommended further study of such potential effects of homework.

Despite the weak correlation between homework and performance for young children, Cooper argues that a small amount of homework is useful for all students. Second-graders should not be doing two hours of homework each night, he said, but they also shouldn’t be doing no homework.

Not all education experts agree entirely with Cooper’s assessment.

Cathy Vatterott, an education professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, supports the “10-minute rule” as a maximum, but she thinks there is not sufficient proof that homework is helpful for students in elementary school.

“Correlation is not causation,” she said. “Does homework cause achievement, or do high achievers do more homework?”

Vatterott, the author of Rethinking Homework: Best Practices That Support Diverse Needs , thinks there should be more emphasis on improving the quality of homework tasks, and she supports efforts to eliminate homework for younger kids.

“I have no concerns about students not starting homework until fourth grade or fifth grade,” she said, noting that while the debate over homework will undoubtedly continue, she has noticed a trend toward limiting, if not eliminating, homework in elementary school.

The issue has been debated for decades. A TIME cover in 1999 read: “Too much homework! How it’s hurting our kids, and what parents should do about it.” The accompanying story noted that the launch of Sputnik in 1957 led to a push for better math and science education in the U.S. The ensuing pressure to be competitive on a global scale, plus the increasingly demanding college admissions process, fueled the practice of assigning homework.

“The complaints are cyclical, and we’re in the part of the cycle now where the concern is for too much,” Cooper said. “You can go back to the 1970s, when you’ll find there were concerns that there was too little, when we were concerned about our global competitiveness.”

Cooper acknowledged that some students really are bringing home too much homework, and their parents are right to be concerned.

“A good way to think about homework is the way you think about medications or dietary supplements,” he said. “If you take too little, they’ll have no effect. If you take too much, they can kill you. If you take the right amount, you’ll get better.”

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Getting students to work on their homework assignments is not always a simple task. Teachers need to take the initiative to create homework policies that encourage students to work hard to improve their achievement in the classroom setting. Educational leadership starts with making a policy that helps students learn and achieve while competing with extracurricular activities and the interests of students.

Set high standards

Homework policies need to have high standards to encourage students to work hard on achieving the best possible results. Student achievement in school improves when teachers set high standards and tell students that they are expected to meet the standards set in the classroom.

By setting high standards for the homework policy, teachers are ensuring that the students will be more willing to work on getting assignments done. The policies for homework that teachers and parents create can help improve student understanding of materials and result in better grades and scores on standardized tests.

Focus on study skills

Teaching students in their early education is a complicated task. Teachers need to balance the age of the students with the expected school, state and federal educational standards. Although the temptation to create a homework policy that focuses on repetition and traditional assignments can make the policy easy to create, it also removes the focus from establishing strong study skills and habits to engage students in education.

Creating a homework policy for younger students in the elementary grades should avoid traditional assignments and focus on building study skills and encouraging learning. Older students after elementary school are ready to take on written assignments rather than using technology and other tools.

Putting more focus on study skills will set a stronger foundation for homework in the future. As students get into higher grades, the type of assignments will focus on writing with a pen or pencil. The age of the student must be considered and the goal is to create a strong foundation for the future.

Involve the parents

Getting parents involved in the homework policy will encourage students to study and complete the assigned tasks. Asking parents to get involved to facilitate assignments will ensure students are learning without the parents completing the assignment for their child.

The goal of involving the parents in the homework policy is getting the family to take an interest in ensuring the assignments are completed. The best assignments will allow the student to manage the work without seeking answers from a parent. That allows parents to supervise and encourage their child without giving the answers.

Give consequences for incomplete assignments

Homework is an important part of providing educational leadership in the classroom. Although parental involvement and high standards can help encourage students to study, it is also important to clearly state the consequences if assignments are incomplete or not turned in on time.

A clear homework policy will lay out the possible consequences of avoiding assignments or turning in incomplete work. Consequences can vary based on the student grade level and age, but can include lowering the grades on a report card or taking away classroom privileges.

Although it is important to provide details about the consequences of avoiding the assignments, teachers can also use a reward system to motivate students to complete their work. Rewards can focus on the entire class or on individual rewards, depending on the situation. For example, teachers can give a small candy when students complete five assignments in a row.

Consequences and rewards can serve as a motivating factor when it comes to the homework policy. By clearly stating the potential downsides and the benefits to the student, it is easier for students to focus on the work.

Creating homework policies is part of educational leadership in the classroom. Although homework must focus on helping students achieve, it also needs to clearly state the expectations and give details about the benefits and consequences of different actions. By giving a clear policy from the first day of school, the students will know what to expect and can gain motivation to work on achieving the best results.

How to Write the Perfect Homework Policy

Author: Naimish Gohil

Posted: 10 May 2017

Estimated time to read: 4 mins

Homework is an integral part to the learning process and as such, each school should have a clear homework policy readily available to teachers, students and parents that sets out your expectations when it comes to home-learning .

how to write the perfect homework policy

A clear and effective homework policy will mean that quality and quantity of homework can be easily tracked and all stakeholders are on the same page. We've created our own Homework Policy that you can adapt for use in your school or use as an outline when creating your own policy:

1‭. ‬Introduction

This is the school’s policy for the provision of homework to pupils and has been drawn up in accordance with guidance from the DFE and Sutton Education Trust‭.‬ It must be recognised that parents play a vital role in the education of their child‭, ‬therefore it is important and valuable to‭ ‬have a good home-school partnership‭, ‬of which a homework policy must address‭.‬

2‭. ‬Homework‭ - ‬A definition

Homework is defined as any work or activity that students are asked to undertake outside of lesson time‭, ‬either on their own or‭ ‬with the aid of parents and carers‭. ‬Homework doesn’t necessarily have to be completed at home but can be completed in free periods and after-school homework clubs‭. ‬We see work completed outside of lesson time as a valuable part of a student’s learning‭.‬

3‭. ‬The purpose of homework‭ ‬

The school regards the purpose of homework as being to‭:‬

‭ Provide learners with the opportunity to work on an activity that is relevant to learning outcomes‭, ‬or that contributes to gaining qualifications/accreditations‭.‬
Develop an effective partnership between the school‭, ‬parents and carers in pursuing the academic aims of the school and the development of their child‭.‬
Consolidate and reinforce skills and understanding prior to the following lesson‭, ‬particularly in English and Mathematics‭.‬
Extend learning across the curriculum‭, ‬for example through additional reading‭.‬
Encourage pupils as they get older to develop the confidence‭, ‬self-discipline and independence to develop organisational skills‭.‬

As a school‭, ‬we encourage children to pursue out-of-school activities‭. ‬Homework should be used to effectively reinforce and/or extend what is learned in school‭. ‬We hope that children will feel a sense of personal satisfaction in a task completed well and that their efforts will be recognised and praised both at home and at school‭. ‬

Homework tasks should be undertaken to the best of‭ ‬their ability‭. ‬We hope that parents and carers will be willing and able to give their active support to ensure that work completed at home is done so conscientiously and in the best possible conditions‭.‬

4‭. ‬Current practice‭ ‬

At the beginning of the academic year‭, ‬each year group will be informed about what is expected of them with regards to homework‭.‬

5‭. ‬Time to be spent completing homework

Based on current good practice‭, ‬we ask pupils to spend the following amount of time on homework‭:‬

Years 7‭ ‬to 9‭: ‬1‭ - ‬2‭ ‬hours per day

Years 10‭ ‬&‭ ‬11‭: ‬1‭ - ‬3‭ ‬hours per day‭ ‬

Pupils may be expected to undertake a variety of homework activities‭. ‬These activities will differ depending on the teacher and‭ ‬subject‭. ‬Examples include‭: ‬Reading tasks‭, ‬numeracy tests‭, ‬spelling tests‭, ‬quizzes‭, ‬project work‭, ‬classwork extensions‭, ‬coursework‭, ‬essays and research activities‭.‬ As a general rule‭, ‬teachers will not usually set substantial homework tasks to be completed for the next day‭, ‬pupils will have at least two days to complete any work set‭.‬

6‭. ‬Pupil feedback

The school recognises the importance of providing prompt and actionable feedback to pupils‭, ‬parents and carers‭. ‬Feedback will include how well homework tasks have been tackled‭, ‬and the knowledge‭, ‬skills and understanding developed‭.

‬A variety of methods will be used to provide feedback‭, ‬such as an appropriate comment of praise‭, ‬appreciation or area for improvement‭. ‬Any given feedback will vary according to the age of the pupil‭.‬

7‭. ‬Where to access the school homework policy

The school will use newsletters to inform parents and carers about the school’s homework policy and secure their involvement‭. ‬The homework policy‭, ‬as well as useful information for parents in supporting their child’s learning‭, ‬is displayed on the school website‭. ‬

Parents’‭ ‬Evenings and New Intake Evenings will be used to promote this partnership and obtain feedback‭ (‬e.g‭. ‬English and Mathematics workshops‭). ‬Homework questionnaires will be used where appropriate to ascertain parent views‭. ‬Parents will be consulted about any significant changes to the policy that are being considered by the governing body‭.‬

8‭. ‬Reviewing the policy

The homework policy will be reviewed every year‭. ‬Where significant changes to the policy are felt to be required‭, ‬proposals will‭ ‬be presented to the governing body and parents consulted‭.‬

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Should Kids Get Homework?

Homework gives elementary students a way to practice concepts, but too much can be harmful, experts say.

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Effective homework reinforces math, reading, writing or spelling skills, but in a way that's meaningful.

How much homework students should get has long been a source of debate among parents and educators. In recent years, some districts have even implemented no-homework policies, as students juggle sports, music and other activities after school.

Parents of elementary school students, in particular, have argued that after-school hours should be spent with family or playing outside rather than completing assignments. And there is little research to show that homework improves academic achievement for elementary students.

But some experts say there's value in homework, even for younger students. When done well, it can help students practice core concepts and develop study habits and time management skills. The key to effective homework, they say, is keeping assignments related to classroom learning, and tailoring the amount by age: Many experts suggest no homework for kindergartners, and little to none in first and second grade.

Value of Homework

Homework provides a chance to solidify what is being taught in the classroom that day, week or unit. Practice matters, says Janine Bempechat, clinical professor at Boston University 's Wheelock College of Education & Human Development.

"There really is no other domain of human ability where anybody would say you don't need to practice," she adds. "We have children practicing piano and we have children going to sports practice several days a week after school. You name the domain of ability and practice is in there."

Homework is also the place where schools and families most frequently intersect.

"The children are bringing things from the school into the home," says Paula S. Fass, professor emerita of history at the University of California—Berkeley and the author of "The End of American Childhood." "Before the pandemic, (homework) was the only real sense that parents had to what was going on in schools."

Harris Cooper, professor emeritus of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University and author of "The Battle Over Homework," examined more than 60 research studies on homework between 1987 and 2003 and found that — when designed properly — homework can lead to greater student success. Too much, however, is harmful. And homework has a greater positive effect on students in secondary school (grades 7-12) than those in elementary.

"Every child should be doing homework, but the amount and type that they're doing should be appropriate for their developmental level," he says. "For teachers, it's a balancing act. Doing away with homework completely is not in the best interest of children and families. But overburdening families with homework is also not in the child's or a family's best interest."

Negative Homework Assignments

Not all homework for elementary students involves completing a worksheet. Assignments can be fun, says Cooper, like having students visit educational locations, keep statistics on their favorite sports teams, read for pleasure or even help their parents grocery shop. The point is to show students that activities done outside of school can relate to subjects learned in the classroom.

But assignments that are just busy work, that force students to learn new concepts at home, or that are overly time-consuming can be counterproductive, experts say.

Homework that's just busy work.

Effective homework reinforces math, reading, writing or spelling skills, but in a way that's meaningful, experts say. Assignments that look more like busy work – projects or worksheets that don't require teacher feedback and aren't related to topics learned in the classroom – can be frustrating for students and create burdens for families.

"The mental health piece has definitely played a role here over the last couple of years during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the last thing we want to do is frustrate students with busy work or homework that makes no sense," says Dave Steckler, principal of Red Trail Elementary School in Mandan, North Dakota.

Homework on material that kids haven't learned yet.

With the pressure to cover all topics on standardized tests and limited time during the school day, some teachers assign homework that has not yet been taught in the classroom.

Not only does this create stress, but it also causes equity challenges. Some parents speak languages other than English or work several jobs, and they aren't able to help teach their children new concepts.

" It just becomes agony for both parents and the kids to get through this worksheet, and the goal becomes getting to the bottom of (the) worksheet with answers filled in without any understanding of what any of it matters for," says professor Susan R. Goldman, co-director of the Learning Sciences Research Institute at the University of Illinois—Chicago .

Homework that's overly time-consuming.

The standard homework guideline recommended by the National Parent Teacher Association and the National Education Association is the "10-minute rule" – 10 minutes of nightly homework per grade level. A fourth grader, for instance, would receive a total of 40 minutes of homework per night.

But this does not always happen, especially since not every student learns the same. A 2015 study published in the American Journal of Family Therapy found that primary school children actually received three times the recommended amount of homework — and that family stress increased along with the homework load.

Young children can only remain attentive for short periods, so large amounts of homework, especially lengthy projects, can negatively affect students' views on school. Some individual long-term projects – like having to build a replica city, for example – typically become an assignment for parents rather than students, Fass says.

"It's one thing to assign a project like that in which several kids are working on it together," she adds. "In (that) case, the kids do normally work on it. It's another to send it home to the families, where it becomes a burden and doesn't really accomplish very much."

Private vs. Public Schools

Do private schools assign more homework than public schools? There's little research on the issue, but experts say private school parents may be more accepting of homework, seeing it as a sign of academic rigor.

Of course, not all private schools are the same – some focus on college preparation and traditional academics, while others stress alternative approaches to education.

"I think in the academically oriented private schools, there's more support for homework from parents," says Gerald K. LeTendre, chair of educational administration at Pennsylvania State University—University Park . "I don't know if there's any research to show there's more homework, but it's less of a contentious issue."

How to Address Homework Overload

First, assess if the workload takes as long as it appears. Sometimes children may start working on a homework assignment, wander away and come back later, Cooper says.

"Parents don't see it, but they know that their child has started doing their homework four hours ago and still not done it," he adds. "They don't see that there are those four hours where their child was doing lots of other things. So the homework assignment itself actually is not four hours long. It's the way the child is approaching it."

But if homework is becoming stressful or workload is excessive, experts suggest parents first approach the teacher, followed by a school administrator.

"Many times, we can solve a lot of issues by having conversations," Steckler says, including by "sitting down, talking about the amount of homework, and what's appropriate and not appropriate."

Study Tips for High School Students

High angle view of young woman sitting at desk and studying at home during coronavirus lockdown

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What’s the Right Amount of Homework?

Decades of research show that homework has some benefits, especially for students in middle and high school—but there are risks to assigning too much.

Many teachers and parents believe that homework helps students build study skills and review concepts learned in class. Others see homework as disruptive and unnecessary, leading to burnout and turning kids off to school. Decades of research show that the issue is more nuanced and complex than most people think: Homework is beneficial, but only to a degree. Students in high school gain the most, while younger kids benefit much less.

The National PTA and the National Education Association support the “ 10-minute homework guideline ”—a nightly 10 minutes of homework per grade level. But many teachers and parents are quick to point out that what matters is the quality of the homework assigned and how well it meets students’ needs, not the amount of time spent on it.

The guideline doesn’t account for students who may need to spend more—or less—time on assignments. In class, teachers can make adjustments to support struggling students, but at home, an assignment that takes one student 30 minutes to complete may take another twice as much time—often for reasons beyond their control. And homework can widen the achievement gap, putting students from low-income households and students with learning disabilities at a disadvantage.

However, the 10-minute guideline is useful in setting a limit: When kids spend too much time on homework, there are real consequences to consider.

Small Benefits for Elementary Students

As young children begin school, the focus should be on cultivating a love of learning, and assigning too much homework can undermine that goal. And young students often don’t have the study skills to benefit fully from homework, so it may be a poor use of time (Cooper, 1989 ; Cooper et al., 2006 ; Marzano & Pickering, 2007 ). A more effective activity may be nightly reading, especially if parents are involved. The benefits of reading are clear: If students aren’t proficient readers by the end of third grade, they’re less likely to succeed academically and graduate from high school (Fiester, 2013 ).

For second-grade teacher Jacqueline Fiorentino, the minor benefits of homework did not outweigh the potential drawback of turning young children against school at an early age, so she experimented with dropping mandatory homework. “Something surprising happened: They started doing more work at home,” Fiorentino writes . “This inspiring group of 8-year-olds used their newfound free time to explore subjects and topics of interest to them.” She encouraged her students to read at home and offered optional homework to extend classroom lessons and help them review material.

Moderate Benefits for Middle School Students

As students mature and develop the study skills necessary to delve deeply into a topic—and to retain what they learn—they also benefit more from homework. Nightly assignments can help prepare them for scholarly work, and research shows that homework can have moderate benefits for middle school students (Cooper et al., 2006 ). Recent research also shows that online math homework, which can be designed to adapt to students’ levels of understanding, can significantly boost test scores (Roschelle et al., 2016 ).

There are risks to assigning too much, however: A 2015 study found that when middle school students were assigned more than 90 to 100 minutes of daily homework, their math and science test scores began to decline (Fernández-Alonso, Suárez-Álvarez, & Muñiz, 2015 ). Crossing that upper limit can drain student motivation and focus. The researchers recommend that “homework should present a certain level of challenge or difficulty, without being so challenging that it discourages effort.” Teachers should avoid low-effort, repetitive assignments, and assign homework “with the aim of instilling work habits and promoting autonomous, self-directed learning.”

In other words, it’s the quality of homework that matters, not the quantity. Brian Sztabnik, a veteran middle and high school English teacher, suggests that teachers take a step back and ask themselves these five questions :

How long will it take to complete?
Have all learners been considered?
Will an assignment encourage future success?
Will an assignment place material in a context the classroom cannot?
Does an assignment offer support when a teacher is not there?

More Benefits for High School Students, but Risks as Well

By the time they reach high school, students should be well on their way to becoming independent learners, so homework does provide a boost to learning at this age, as long as it isn’t overwhelming (Cooper et al., 2006 ; Marzano & Pickering, 2007 ). When students spend too much time on homework—more than two hours each night—it takes up valuable time to rest and spend time with family and friends. A 2013 study found that high school students can experience serious mental and physical health problems, from higher stress levels to sleep deprivation, when assigned too much homework (Galloway, Conner, & Pope, 2013 ).

Homework in high school should always relate to the lesson and be doable without any assistance, and feedback should be clear and explicit.

Teachers should also keep in mind that not all students have equal opportunities to finish their homework at home, so incomplete homework may not be a true reflection of their learning—it may be more a result of issues they face outside of school. They may be hindered by issues such as lack of a quiet space at home, resources such as a computer or broadband connectivity, or parental support (OECD, 2014 ). In such cases, giving low homework scores may be unfair.

Since the quantities of time discussed here are totals, teachers in middle and high school should be aware of how much homework other teachers are assigning. It may seem reasonable to assign 30 minutes of daily homework, but across six subjects, that’s three hours—far above a reasonable amount even for a high school senior. Psychologist Maurice Elias sees this as a common mistake: Individual teachers create homework policies that in aggregate can overwhelm students. He suggests that teachers work together to develop a school-wide homework policy and make it a key topic of back-to-school night and the first parent-teacher conferences of the school year.

Parents Play a Key Role

Homework can be a powerful tool to help parents become more involved in their child’s learning (Walker et al., 2004 ). It can provide insights into a child’s strengths and interests, and can also encourage conversations about a child’s life at school. If a parent has positive attitudes toward homework, their children are more likely to share those same values, promoting academic success.

But it’s also possible for parents to be overbearing, putting too much emphasis on test scores or grades, which can be disruptive for children (Madjar, Shklar, & Moshe, 2015 ). Parents should avoid being overly intrusive or controlling—students report feeling less motivated to learn when they don’t have enough space and autonomy to do their homework (Orkin, May, & Wolf, 2017 ; Patall, Cooper, & Robinson, 2008 ; Silinskas & Kikas, 2017 ). So while homework can encourage parents to be more involved with their kids, it’s important to not make it a source of conflict.

Elementary Policies & Procedures
Student handbooks
Elementary handbooks

Introduction

Section A of this handbook provides general guidelines for the operation of NISD elementary schools. The district supports parent and staff input into specific campus procedures. Each school will provide a supplement outlining specific or unique campus information.

Attendance Information

See Section D for more information regarding attendance requirements.

When a child is absent or tardy from school, the parent or guardian should send a note to the school, within 3 days, explaining the reason for the absence upon the child’s return to school. All notes must include: the date of the note, the name of the child, the date of the absence(s) or tardy, the specific reason for the absence(s) or tardy and the parent’s signature.

Children are expected to attend school every day; however, parents should not send children to school when they are ill. If a child is absent for three consecutive school days due to illness, it is recommended that the parent seek medical attention for the child.

Attendance information on report cards

Absences are reported on the report cards, excused and unexcused. Tardy reports are optional by school.

Perfect attendance

Each elementary school which chooses to reward students for perfect attendance shall comply with the following guidelines:

Perfect attendance may be awarded to students at the end of each 9-week grading period that have not exceeded one tardy or one partial day absence during the 9-week period that is not categorized as a documented appointment with a health care professional.

Perfect attendance may be awarded to students at the end of the year that have not been absent. In order to receive perfect attendance awards at the end of the year, students may have no more than 4 tardies or 4 partial day absences during the year that are not categorized as a documented appointment with a health care professional.

Calendar Information – Significant Dates

Report card dates.

Students in grades K-5 will have four grading periods. Report cards will be sent home according to the following schedule:

Other important dates can be found on the school calendar .

Kindergarten Roundup

Registration for new students who are eligible for Kindergarten will be each year in January.

A child must be five years of age on or before September 1 to enroll in Kindergarten and six years of age on or before September 1 to enroll in First Grade.

Specific Homework Policies are set at each campus. Parents are asked to help their child by providing the time, place, cooperation and encouragement needed to complete assignments.

Children should be reminded to take their books, work and supplies to school each day. To promote responsibility children are generally not allowed to call home for forgotten work or supplies.

Please refer to individual campus information for homework information.

Enrollment Information

Registration of new students.

To register your child in school you will need:

An original or a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate. (Child must be five on or before September 1 for kindergarten and six on or before September 1 for first grade.)
Child’s up-to-date immunization record.
Proof of Residence - Acceptable documents for verifying address include current utility bills, sales or lease agreements, or other legal documents other than a driver’s license which does not require a verified address. Cell phone bills are not acceptable.
Child’s social security card (optional).

See Section D for additional information on admissions.

Pre-Kindergarten

The pre-kindergarten program in Northside meets state mandated requirements. The students are eligible if they are 4 years of age on or before September 1 and qualify through one of the following criteria:

1. The child is identified as limited in English proficiency (as determined by the Pre-Las 2000 and testing done at Student Placement Center).

2. The child qualifies based on being educationally disadvantaged (eligible to participate in the National Free/Reduced Lunch Program) and supported by proof of income.

3. Homeless

4. The child of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserved component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active duty by proper authority.

5. The child of a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserved component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while serving on active duty.

6. Have been in the conservatorship (foster care) of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) (foster care) following an adversary hearing.

7. Be the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Awards as: a peace officer under Section 3106.002, Government Code; a firefighter under Section 3106.003, Government Code; or an emergency medical first responder under Section 3106.004, Government Code.

Pre-kindergarten transportation

At the end of the Pre-K day, if there is no parent or designee at the stop to receive the child, then the Pre-K student will not be left at the stop and will be returned to the campus.

Kindergarten

The district provides full-day kindergarten classes at every elementary school for children who are at least five years of age on or before September 1 of the current school year.

First grade

A child may be enrolled in the first grade if he or she is at least six years of age on or before September 1 of the current school year, or completed kindergarten in the public schools of another state prior to transferring to the district.

Underage students

Underage transfer students who received instruction during the current school year as an eligible student in an out-of-state public pre-kindergarten or kindergarten program are eligible for enrollment without tuition. These students are ineligible for state ADA funding.

Assignment to classes

Students are assigned to a classroom by the school principal. The teachers group for instruction within the classroom as needed. The student to teacher ratio is 22 to 1 in grades K-4 and 26 to 1 in grade 5, unless a waiver is indicated.

Transportation arrangements

The school must be kept informed by parents of transportation arrangements for each child. Any change in these plans must be communicated to the school in writing if possible before noon of the desired change. See Section D for Transportation policies.

Cap/transfer cluster schools

Because of growing enrollment, state-mandated class size requirements, and not enough classrooms, some schools lack space. When the maximum number of students per grade level is reached, and if the campus has a vacant classroom, a new teacher may be added. However, because adding is expensive and disrupts classes, the decision may be made to close a campus and not add classes for the remainder of the year.

When this decision is made, newly enrolling students will be transferred to a nearby cluster school. Northside provides student transportation to cluster schools. It is therefore important that currently enrolled students reregister for the following year by the end of priority registration in April. Transfers usually affect only new students, not returning students, unless the returning students do not return preregistration materials by the April deadline or unless the returning students do not attend the first day of school of the new fall term. As enrollment stabilizes during the first week of school, and vacancies occur, transferred students have the option to return to their home campus. Transfer date determines priority for return.

Withdrawing from school

If it is necessary to withdraw a child from school, please notify the school at least 24 hours in advance by either sending a note or by calling the school office. Your child will have a withdrawal form, report card and personal belongings when leaving. Cafeteria charges and lost book charges should be cleared prior to the withdrawal of a student.

Cafeteria Operations – General Guidance

Northside menus.

District Menus are determined by compliance, student preferences and cost considerations. Each year, Child Nutrition Services takes the prior year menu and compares high participation days as well as low participation days to determine what items to keep and delete. CNS then looks at industry culinary trends to determine acceptable products to maintain variety / participation in the 2 week menu cycle. Lastly, final menus are developed by the Student/SHAC (School Health Advisory Council) Taste Testing along with managers input. This year long process includes department dietitians, nutritionists and support personnel. For menus and more information, visit the Child Nutrition Department’s website .

Special dietary restrictions

Students requiring any changes or modifications to the regular cycle menu must have an updated Physician Order Form completely filled out. Please contact the Cafeteria Manager and the Campus Nurse.

Free & reduced meal program (Non community eligible provision schools only)

Free or Reduced Priced Meals are available to students who qualify based on federal guidelines. Applications must be filled out each school year. More information may be found in the District Policies & Procedures of the Student-Parent Handbook and the Child Nutrition Department’s website or by calling 397-4517.

Food items given or sold at all schools

Administration Regulations CAF- 01 and CAF-03 gives guidance on foods “Given” or “Sold” to students and is in compliance with the District’s Wellness Policy. More information may be found in District Policies & Procedures of the Student-Parent Handbook and the Child Nutrition Department’s website .

Note: A school may adopt a more restrictive rule, as local policy. Please contact your school for more information regarding designated days as well as restrictions regarding birthday recognitions at school. Balloons and/or flowers are not permitted for student birthday recognitions.

NISD charge policy & courtesy meal information

Child Nutrition Services has a fiscal responsibility to stay in compliance with Federal Guidelines. In order to meet this obligation, parents / guardians are responsible for purchases made by their student(s) in the cafeteria. It is not Northside Independent School District’s intent that children go hungry at school; however, it is the responsibility of parents or guardians to provide their children’s lunch or breakfast, or pay for meals provided by your school. More information can be found in the District Policies & Procedures of the Student-Parent Handbook and the Child Nutrition Department’s website .

Bad Weather Days

In the event schools are closed due to severe weather, the announcement of such closing will be made on local television and radio stations. The Superintendent of Schools releases this information to the stations early enough in the morning to alert parents of the school closing prior to children leaving home for school. Every school has established procedures to follow during severe weather if it occurs during the day.

Student Fees, Fines and Charges

Waiver of fees.

Upon receipt by the district of reliable proof that a student and his or her parent or guardian are unable to pay a charge required by the school, such charge shall be waived.

Travel Advisory

Northside will comply with any travel advisories that are issued for this area by the city, state, or Federal Government. (For example: Weather alerts, security alerts or medical alerts that would prohibit student travel.)

Parent/Community Involvement

Northside Independent School District believes in the power of education and its powerful positive influence on our community. We constantly strive to offer our students the best education possible. Research has proven that parental involvement in school is a necessary prerequisite to student success; therefore, a partnership between school and home must exist. You are encouraged to take an active part in your child’s education. There are many ways in which families can become involved in their child’s school.

Room parents

Room parents assist with special classroom events as well as help in any other manner agreed upon by the classroom teacher and the room parent. Interested parents are encouraged to volunteer. Volunteers are expected to comply with the district volunteer guidelines which include a background check.

Parent Teacher Association

All parents are encouraged to join the Parent Teacher Association in the school(s) where their child attends, since this is a common meeting ground in matters of mutual concern to all.

Parent/community volunteers

Parents, grandparents and community members provide instructional support to the classroom teacher in many ways; tutoring students one-on-one, listening to students read, preparing instructional materials, assisting in the Book Fair, Bike Rodeo, Publishing Center, etc. At the beginning of each year, orientations are held to match individual teacher needs to parents’ interests and skills. The support provided by the parents to the school is invaluable, and serves to strengthen the bond between school and home. Interested parents are encouraged to volunteer.

Mentors are community/business members who volunteer their time to help individual students be more successful in school. Volunteers who wish to participate in campus mentorship programs should contact the school administrator. Volunteers are asked to complete an application and profile. Volunteers are expected to comply with the district volunteer guidelines which include a background check. Parent permission is required for students to be served.

School-Based Decision-Making

School-based decision-making is a process to improve student learning at every school campus. Every campus has a School Advisory Team (SAT), comprised of administrators, campus staff, parents and community representatives. The SAT reviews performance of all students, determines goals and strategies, and ensures that strategies are implemented and adjusted to improve student achievement. For information as to how you as a parent can provide input into your school’s educational program, please contact the school principal.

Parents/Guardians are welcomed to visit their child's classroom with advanced approval by the school administration so long as their duration or frequency does not interfere with delivery of instruction or disrupt the normal school environment.

Visitors must follow the school procedures regarding proper identification and check-in.

Because the safety of all students is a top priority, the District has implemented a district-wide visitor and volunteer badge system.

All parents/guardians, visitors, or volunteers who come to a campus will be asked to present a valid government or state-issued identification, such as a driver’s license or military I.D. The I.D. will be scanned and a badge will be printed. All visitors will then wear the badge while on campus and return it at the end of the visit.

All visitors must comply with the school’s visitation procedures and are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of courtesy and conduct.

Northside Independent School District is a Drug-Free, Smoke-Free and Gun-Free District. Visitors must refrain from smoking anywhere on district grounds.

After School Programs

After school childcare is available at all Northside elementary schools. NISD elementary schools offer the Learning Tree After School Enrichment Program run by the NISD Adult & Community Education Department.

Program hours are from 2:55 p.m. until 5:30, 6:00 or 6:30 p.m. depending on the campus.

For specific information about registration, fees, and curriculum, please visit the website or call (210) 397-8102.

Student Supervision

Arrival and dismissal.

Children should not arrive at school before 7:15 a.m.

School begins at 7:45 a.m. Children arriving in the classroom after 7:45 a.m. are tardy. Should the parent be unable to take the child to the office, the child must go to the office with a note from the parent explaining the reason for his/her late arrival.

A child who is not present at 9:00 a.m. is counted absent for the day. A child who arrives after 9:00 a.m. must be accompanied by the parent and the school should be provided with a written note explaining the reason for the absence. The school shall determine whether or not the absence is excused according to the guidelines in Section D.

Pre-K students who attend the afternoon session are considered absent at 1:00 p.m.

School is dismissed at 3:00 p.m. If your child must leave school before 3:00 p.m., please send a note with him/her on the day he/she must leave early. The parent must go to the school office, show a picture ID and sign the child out. Parents may not go directly to the classroom. For the welfare of our students, teachers cannot release students to anyone without office authorization. Office authorization will be given only to parents and other adults listed as an emergency contact on the student registration. It is the parents’ responsibility to update the emergency information as changes occur.

Parents who transport their children after school should arrive promptly at dismissal time. Teachers and other staff members have other responsibilities and/or assigned duties and cannot be expected to supervise students until parents call for them. Certainly, if an emergency occurs, the child will be allowed to wait in the office until someone can come for him/her. The school office should be notified if there is an emergency. The office closes by 3:45 p.m.

Northside’s Student Code of Conduct is found in Section C. This code describes behavior expected of all Northside students, elementary as well as secondary. School discipline plans use the Student Code of Conduct as a framework.

Each elementary school has a discipline management plan which is developed by the principal and faculty of the school. Parents are informed of school rules and the consequences for inappropriate behavior as well as rewards for good citizenship. Students who are behaving in such a way as to disrupt the learning of others or jeopardize other students’ safety will be given consequences for their actions. Disciplinary action will be based upon the seriousness as well as frequency of offenses. Conferencing, time-out, in-school suspension and suspension are actions that may be taken by the elementary school. Corporal punishment is not used in Northside schools.

Transportation Behavior Expectations

Identified eligible students who receive bus transportation in the district to and from school during school hours are expected to follow all transportation rules and regulations. Students who do not comply with the communicated expectations (See Section D), will be subject to disciplinary action which could result in losing transportation privileges. These behavior expectations apply to field trip transportation as well.

Safety - Bicycles

Students may ride bicycles/scooters to and from school. They must walk their bicycles/scooters across the street at designated crosswalks. Students may not ride bikes/scooters on school property. It is essential that all bicycles be equipped with proper safety equipment and a lock. Individual campuses have guidelines for parking procedures and location for bicycles and scooters during the school day. The use of safety helmets is strongly encouraged.

Safety - Walkers

In order to assure children’s safety going to and from school, it is helpful if they learn the best way to reach the school, to obey the Student Safety Patrols, and to avoid talking to strangers on the way to and from school. If a stranger approaches, children should report any incident to parents, teachers and/or the principal as soon as possible.

Safety - Traffic patterns

Each individual campus has its own unique plan for automobile and pedestrian traffic control. Be sure to adhere to the specific policies of your child’s school, as they are designed for the safety of your children. Bus and fire lanes are clearly marked, and must be observed.

Safety - Patrols

Upper grade students, carefully selected on the basis of grades, character, and citizenship, have the privilege of becoming Student Safety Patrols.

Their duties are from 7:15 a.m. until 7:45 a.m. for morning patrol and from 3:00 p.m. until the traffic clears for afternoon patrol. In order for students to serve on Safety Patrols, they must have written parent permission and they must maintain academic and citizenship standards.

Student Education Records

The school district maintains student education records at each elementary, middle, high or special school. An education record generally includes: applications for enrollment; standardized achievement test scores; grades; attendance dates; scores on standardized intelligence, aptitude, and psychological tests; interest inventory results; health data; family background information; teacher or counselor ratings and observations; reports on behavior patterns or disciplinary actions; and graduation dates.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) afford parents and students over 18 years of age (eligible student) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records. They are:

The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 calendar days of the day Northside Independent School District receives a request for access. Both parents, either married, separated or divorced (unless evidenced by court order, state statute, or legally binding document related to separation, divorce or custody revoking these rights) have access to a student’s education records until the student becomes 18 years of age and is no longer a dependent student as defined in section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1964. After the student becomes 18 years of age and he or she is no longer a dependent student, then the student retains sole access to his or her education records. A person having the right to review education records should submit to the school principal (if student currently enrolled) a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The principal will make arrangements for access and notify the person making the request of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the student is no longer enrolled at Northside Independent School District, the request must be made to the Office of the Superintendent.
The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believe is inaccurate or misleading. Parents or eligible students may ask Northside Independent School District to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the student’s rights of privacy. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate, misleading, or a violation of the rights of privacy. If Northside Independent School District decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the District will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing. Although improperly recorded grades may be challenged, parents and eligible students are not allowed to request amendment of a grade given for a student’s performance in a course.
The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the District as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the School Board; a person or company with whom the District has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); or a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, Northside Independent School District will disclose education records, without consent, to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the District to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20202-5920

A person who requests copies of a student’s education records shall pay the actual cost of reproducing the records. Reproduction cost is $.10 per page, exclusive of mailing costs. One transcript of a student’s grades will be provided without charge, at the time of graduation, with additional copies provided for $5.00 each.

Directory Information

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law, requires that Northside ISD, with certain exceptions, obtain your written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from your child’s education records. However, Northside ISD may disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless you have advised the District to the contrary in accordance with District procedures. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow Northside ISD to include this type of information from your child’s education records in certain school publications. Examples include:

A playbill, showing your student’s role in a drama production;
The annual yearbook;
Honor roll or other recognition lists;
Graduation programs; and
Sports activity sheets, such as wrestling, showing weight and height of team members.

Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks.

If you do not want Northside ISD to disclose directory information from your child’s education records without your prior written consent, you must notify the District (the principal of the student’s school) in writing within two weeks after initial enrollment each school year. Northside ISD has designated the following information as directory information: student’s name, address, telephone listing, electronic mail address, photograph, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, grade level, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees, honors, and awards received, and the most recent educational agency or institution attended.

A ‘Parent Information Release Authorizations’ form is included towards the end of this handbook. If you do not want Directory Information to be released for your child you must complete the form and return to your child’s campus. Keep in mind that you have two weeks after initial enrollment to return the form.

Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA)

PPRA affords parents certain rights regarding our conduct of surveys, collection and use of information for marketing purposes, and certain physical exams. These include the right to:

Consent before students are required to submit to a survey that concerns one or more of the following protected areas (“protected information survey”) if the survey is funded in whole or in part by a program of the U.S. Department of Education (ED)
Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;
Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
Sex behavior or attitudes;
Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family relationships;
Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors, or ministers;
Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or parents; or
Income, other than as required by law to determine eligibility.
Receive notice and an opportunity to opt a student out of –
Any other protected information survey, regardless of funding;
Any non-emergency, invasive physical exam or screening required as a condition of attendance, administered by the school or its agent, and not necessary to protect the immediate health and safety of a student, except for hearing, vision, or scoliosis screenings, or any physical exam or screening permitted or required under State law; and,
Activities involving collection, disclosure, or use of personal information obtained from students for marketing or to sell or otherwise distribute the information to others.
Inspect, upon request and before administration or use –
Protected information surveys of students;
Instruments used to collect personal information from students for any of the above marketing, sales, or other distribution purposes; and
Instructional material used as part of the education curriculum.

These rights transfer from the parents to a student who is 18 years old or an emancipated minor under State law.

Northside Independent School District will directly notify parents of students who are scheduled to participate in the specific activities or surveys noted below, and will provide an opportunity for the parent to opt his or her child out of participation of the specific activity or survey. Parents will also be provided an opportunity to review any pertinent surveys. If you wish to review any survey or instructional material used in connection with any protected information or marketing survey, please submit a request to your child’s campus principal. The principal will notify you of the time and place where you may review these materials. You have the right to review a survey and /or instructional materials before the survey is administered to a student.

Following is a list of the specific activities and surveys covered under this requirement:

Collection, disclosure, or use of personal information for marketing, sales or other distribution.
Administration of any protected information survey not funded in whole or in part by ED.
Any non-emergency, invasive physical examination or screening as described above.

Parents who believe their rights have been violated may file a complaint with:

Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20202-5920

Cost of Providing Copies of Records

A person who requests copies of district records for a purpose other than the transaction of the official business of the district shall pay the actual cost of reproducing the records. Reproduction cost is $.10 per page, exclusive of mailing costs. One transcript of a student’s grades will be provided without charge.

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Primary school

Secondary school, special school.

Multi-academy trust
Sample AI clause

Shadwell Primary School in Leeds has a homework policy that covers:

When pupils take books home for reading
How long they should spend reading at home
English and maths homework
Spelling and times tables expectations
Additional half-termly homework tasks, such as a learning log and key instant recall facts
Instances when pupils may receive additional homework
How homework will be recorded
Rewards and sanctions

Chelmsford County High School for Girls in Essex has a school-wide homework policy setting out:

The importance of homework
Types of homework that could be set
How much time different year groups should spend on homework

How homework may differ in form, expectations and outcomes How long the school recommends pupils spend on homework The roles of the class teacher, leadership team and governing board, and parents and carers The homework that different Key Stages and learners will get Marking, feedback and pupil

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Montgomery board debates homework policy: Balancing student life and academic aims

by Kellye Lynn

The Montgomery County Public Schools Board of Education debates homework policy (Montgomery County Public Schools)

ROCKVILLE, Md. (7News) — The Montgomery County Public Schools Board of Education is taking on a topic that's important to teachers, parents and students.

"I just did another survey just yesterday, for students. I said, 'What would you want to change about the homework policy?' 50% of the student comments were pleas that they can spend their weekend being kids and not doing homework," MCPS Student Board Member Sami Saeed stated at a March 19 hearing .

During the hearing, MCPS School Board Member Shebra Evans told her colleagues, "I think we're pushing it a bit saying to our teachers when and how they should do homework."

READ | Children of workers killed in Key Bridge collapse to receive college scholarships

The Board has posted a draft amendment to the homework policy online and is seeking public comment .

"Research indicates that homework for elementary school-aged students is of lower priority than other developmental tasks that occur outside of the school setting," the document states.

The draft amendment also explains that "the teacher can best determine the nature, frequency, and length of homework assignments to achieve curricular objectives, which may include providing students opportunities for seeking homework support during class, as feasible and appropriate."

MCPS has already gathered feedback about homework from students in thirteen focus groups throughout the county.

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"Some of the students didn't like it quite as much than they had in previous grades because there were tricky words they didn't know and their parents couldn't quite help them because their parents didn't speak English and they fell behind," Wooten High School Student Nico D'Orazio told the Board.

7News asked MCPS mother of two Esther Wells about her concerns and priorities regarding a policy change.

"That we focus on outcomes and that we focus on student results," Wells said. "My concern is that if we move away from requiring homework whether it's at the elementary or secondary level, that we may be diluting the experience of our students and not ultimately making them career and community college ready."

MCPS Board of Education said if anyone is interested in reading the draft amendment and providing feedback online, the comment period closes on April 24th. Then, a school board committee will review public comments at a meeting on May 16th.

7News reached out to the Montgomery County Education Association for a response to the pending policy changes.

The teachers group issued this statement:

"MCEA appreciates that with this new policy the board is allowing classroom teachers to use our professional judgment in deciding how to effectively use homework as a learning strategy. We also recognize that providing a supportive environment for homework completion is necessary to ensure equitable educational opportunities. Not all students have such supports at home.“

Homework Policy

We’re all aware of how students dread homework. They don’t like the idea of doing schoolwork at home after spending a whole day in school. We know how that feels. We’ve all been there during our elementary , high school , and college years. Although laziness is among the reasons, there are credible justifications for why students hate homework. That’s why some schools have imposed policies to regulate homework. Too much homework can be counterproductive. So as a school admin, if you see that your teachers are overworking students with homework, make your move to control it. You can start by downloading our Homework Policy Examples !

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10+ Homework Policy Examples

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10. High School Homework Policy Example

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11. Kindergarten Homework Policy

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What Is a Homework Policy?

A school homework policy is a set of guidelines on how often teachers should give homework or what type of homework they should give. Its main function is to protect students from being overworked and ensure that their homework is beneficial to their learning .

Homework policies are an important aspect of classroom management . It’s crucial not to drown students with school work. They need time to breathe from doing study activities . Other than that, some teachers might be giving homework that contributes nothing to their studies. Homeworks that are irrelevant only serves to waste the students’ time and energy. But with a homework policy elementary school, high school, or college, that won’t happen.

The Purpose of Homework in Schools

At the start of this blog, we’ve been shedding a bad light on homework inadvertently. Giving a home assignment to a student has some benefits. After all, homework wouldn’t exist in the first place if it doesn’t have a real purpose.

One purpose of homework is to push students to immerse themselves more with their studies. That helps them to absorb what they’ve learned during classes more effectively. It keeps their learning process consistent outside of the classroom . And also, homework teaches students to be responsible and professional, especially when it comes to meeting deadlines.

Another function of homework is that it can be a way for parents to be more involved in their children’s education. They can monitor what lessons their kids are studying by seeing what sort of schoolwork they’re doing at home.

How to Create a Homework Policy

Among the first steps you must take to protect students from too much and irrelevant homework is creating a homework policy. To get you started, we’ll show you our short 4-step guide below.

Step 1: Conduct a Survey

In general, conducting a survey is the first step in formulating policies. In this case, you need to survey the students regarding their homework duties. Your survey form must ask the right questions, such as how homework affects them mentally and how useful it is in the lesson plan . Find out how functional the students’ homework is to see its pros and cons.

Step 2: Communicate with Faculty

Imposing a homework policy is a drastic change in your school’s teaching process. That said, you should communicate about it with your faculty staff . Based on the findings of your survey, let your teachers know what specific regulations you’ll impose in terms of giving homework. You may also ask if they have suggestions or objections about your proposed policy . If there are, you can make some adjustments if you see them fit.

Step 3: Write Down the Regulations

After you make adjustments and finalize everything, write the homework regulations in a document or memo . Make sure to explain each of them in detail. Justify how each regulation is helpful for the students’ learning and well being. For instance, if one regulation is a No Homework on Fridays, you can justify it by saying students need the weekends to spend more time with friends and family. And that it gives them a chance to refresh their minds from school pressure.

Step 4: Add the Homework Policy to the Student and Teacher Handbook

To make the homework policy an official school policy, integrate it into the teacher and student handbook. In doing so, both faculty and students will be more aware of it. That way, the homework policy will slowly but surely become a norm in your school. The teachers, especially, will follow it strictly.

What is the 10-minute rule in homework?

The 10-minute homework rule, as its name implies, suggests that teachers should only give homework that students can finish in under 10 minutes. However, this rule mostly only applies to first graders.

What type of homework is considered meaningful?

The type of homework that’s meaningful are those that are in-line with the curriculum and beneficial to the learning process. Meaningful homework complements the lesson plan significantly. And they’re doable depending on the students’ current level of capability. A homework that adds nothing to the students’ progress is merely a to-do task .

Is it too much to give two hours of homework?

According to the Stanford Graduate School of Education , beyond two hours of homework is too much. Having more than two hours of homework to do has three negative effects on students. These are:

Increase in stress levels, affecting productivity
Health risks, such as sleep deprivation, severe weight loss, and exhaustion
Less time with friends and family, which can lead to depression and neglect of schoolwork

Homework is an integral part of your school’s teaching methods. It is an extension of your school’s guidance for the students outside the classroom. But there have to be limitations. So start making a homework policy now. And don’t forget to download our Homework Policy Template.

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Homework Policy
A maximum of 40 minutes of homework per night allocated as follows: A minimum of 20 minutes spent reading from self-selected and/or teacher assigned texts either independently or with an adult is a nightly homework requirement. A maximum of 15-20 minutes total spent working on learning math facts and/or sight words in addition to assignments ...
Creating a Homework Policy With Meaning and Purpose
Homework is defined as the time students spend outside the classroom in assigned learning activities. Anywhere Schools believes the purpose of homework should be to practice, reinforce, or apply acquired skills and knowledge. We also believe as research supports that moderate assignments completed and done well are more effective than lengthy ...
Is Homework Good for Kids? Here's What the Research Says
The no-homework policy of a second-grade teacher in Texas went viral last week, ... A Massachusetts elementary school has announced a no-homework pilot program for the coming school year ...
Elementary Homework Policy
Definition: Homework is defined as tasks assigned to students by teachers that are meant to be carried out during non-school hours. It is intended to be a meaningful experience that prepares students for lessons, practices basic skills, and reinforces concepts taught in class. Homework assignments are created based upon the intended purpose of ...
If Elementary Schools Say No to Homework, What Takes Its Place?
The so-called "no homework" movement is focused on elementary grades, but framing the choice as "no homework vs. homework" is misguided, according to Maurice Elias of Rutgers University and co-author of Emotionally Intelligent Parenting and The Joys and Oys of Parenting. "Ideally, we want children to understand that they are always learners.
PDF Homework Policy for Elementary Schools
Homework Policy for Elementary Schools 1. Amount The amount of homework given has a smaller effect size on student achievement in elementary school versus middle school or high school, with a gain of about six percentile points (Marzano, 2001). Homework helps younger students develop study skills and become responsible for their learning at ...
Advice on Creating Homework Policies
Creating a homework policy for younger students in the elementary grades should avoid traditional assignments and focus on building study skills and encouraging learning. Older students after elementary school are ready to take on written assignments rather than using technology and other tools. Putting more focus on study skills will set a ...
How to Write the Perfect Homework Policy
Author: Naimish Gohil Posted: 10 May 2017 Estimated time to read: 4 mins Homework is an integral part to the learning process and as such, each school should have a clear homework policy readily available to teachers, students and parents that sets out your expectations when it comes to home-learning.. A clear and effective homework policy will mean that quality and quantity of homework can be ...
Should Kids Get Homework?
Too much, however, is harmful. And homework has a greater positive effect on students in secondary school (grades 7-12) than those in elementary. "Every child should be doing homework, but the ...
Homework Policy
Shawsheen Elementary School. Woburn Street Elementary School. North Intermediate School. West Intermediate School. Secondary; Wilmington Middle School. ... Rethinking Homework 2010) Policy Adopted September 12, 2018 . Wilmington Public Schools. 161 Church Street, Wilmington, MA 01887. Phone: 978-694-6000. Email: [email protected]
Homework and Higher Standards
He believes that research supports the 10-minute rule—that students should be able to complete their homework in no more than 10 minutes multiplied by their grade. For example, this would amount ...
What's the Right Amount of Homework?
The National PTA and the National Education Association support the " 10-minute homework guideline "—a nightly 10 minutes of homework per grade level. But many teachers and parents are quick to point out that what matters is the quality of the homework assigned and how well it meets students' needs, not the amount of time spent on it.
Key Lessons: What Research Says About the Value of Homework
Too much homework may diminish its effectiveness. While research on the optimum amount of time students should spend on homework is limited, there are indications that for high school students, 1½ to 2½ hours per night is optimum. Middle school students appear to benefit from smaller amounts (less than 1 hour per night).
Elementary Policies & Procedures
Specific Homework Policies are set at each campus. Parents are asked to help their child by providing the time, place, cooperation and encouragement needed to complete assignments. ... Each elementary school has a discipline management plan which is developed by the principal and faculty of the school. Parents are informed of school rules and ...
Homework policy: examples
Primary school. Shadwell Primary School in Leeds has a homework policy that covers: When pupils take books home for reading. How long they should spend reading at home. English and maths homework. Spelling and times tables expectations. Additional half-termly homework tasks, such as a learning log and key instant recall facts.
Homework Policy
Homework is an essential part of the instructional program at Garvy Elementary School. In accordance with the Chicago Public Schools, the following homework policy has been developed by a committee of teachers at Garvy as a part of our local Continuous Improvement Work Plan (CIWP). Objectives of Homework Assignments: · To reinforce and extend ...
Montgomery board debates homework policy: Balancing student life and
The Montgomery County Public Schools Board of Education debates homework policy (Montgomery County Public Schools) 1. ROCKVILLE, Md. (7News) — The Montgomery County Public Schools Board of ...
PDF Homework: A Guide for Parents
elementary or middle school level (Cooper, 1989). There is little question that parental involvement in homework has a strong positive effect (Van Voorhis, 2003; Xu, 2004). In fact, some research suggests that parental involvement in homework has a more powerful influence on achievement than either social class or the parents' own educational ...
How To Create An Effective Homework Policy In School?
Homework Policy for Elementary School: 1. Balanced Subjects: Assign homework that covers a range of subjects, supporting a well-rounded education. This can include math problems, reading assignments, science experiments, and simple research projects. 2. Development of Basic Skills:
Homework Policy
Step 4: Add the Homework Policy to the Student and Teacher Handbook. To make the homework policy an official school policy, integrate it into the teacher and student handbook. In doing so, both faculty and students will be more aware of it. That way, the homework policy will slowly but surely become a norm in your school.