GCS Homework Policy

FINAL DRAFT......52816

Greenville County Schools

Book: Policies

Section: IInstructional

Program

Title.....Academic Achievement: Homework

Number: IHB

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Purpose

A well balanced learning experience for the student includes work in the classroom, academic study outside the

classroom, participation in extracurricular

activities, and opportunities to learn and demonstrate strong

leadership and good character. Work outside the classroom, known as homework, should be assigned only

when it is beneficial and important to the student’s overall program. Homework should be educationally

relevant and reasonable; should serve the needs of the learner in meaningful ways; and should promote student

engagement in learning through personalization of tasks to fit the students’ learning needs, allowing student

choice as appropriate. Although there is a place for rote practice and memorization, homework should also

involve higher levels of thinking and creativity. The Board expects a reasonable and balanced approach to

coursework outside school hours that facilitates a positive high school experience.

Academic Achievement: Homework

When homework is given, assignments shall reflect the following guidelines:

 Homework shall include one or more of the three generally recognized types of homework:

Practice:

reinforces newly acquired skills taught in class

Preparation:

helps students prepare for upcoming lessons, activities, or tests

Extension:

provides challenging, often longterm

opportunities for enrichment that parallel class

work

 Homework shall be carefully planned and explained to the students.

 Content and duration of homework shall be personalized to accommodate the age, grade, ability, and

readiness of the students.

 Homework shall be assigned with awareness of the home resources available to the student and the

family and alternative options offered, where necessary.

 Since involvement in extracurricular activities is encouraged and valued, homework assignments that

are lengthy shall be scheduled as far in advance as possible.

 Daily homework assignments for primary level students (K2)

shall not exceed 30 minutes, including 20

minutes of reading.

 Daily homework assignments for elementary students (35)

shall not exceed 60 minutes.

 Daily homework assignments for middle school students shall not exceed 90 minutes.

 Because homework at the high school level varies according to a student’s course load and schedule,

high school students should spend sufficient time on homework to master the content of the subject

matter.

 Completed homework assignments are to be reviewed by the teacher or designee; appropriate

instructional followup

shall occur.

 If homework is graded, the homework average shall not count in the student’s overall quarterly grade at

the elementary level, and shall count no more than 10% of the overall quarterly grade at the middle

school and high school levels.

 Because they require a greater amount of time and effort than daily assignments, grades for longrange

assignments shall not count as part of the homework percentage, but should be considered in the time

allocated for homework.

 Parents and students shall be informed at the beginning of the school year and at the beginning of second

semester, if appropriate, of the district homework policies and classroom homework expectations.

 Students are encouraged to spend some time each day reading a variety of materials independently.

Review/Reporting

This policy shall be reviewed in accordance with the Board policy review process.