Homework

What Does CCSD93 Believe About Homework?

Homework is an essential part of a rigorous instructional cycle that promotes student learning. Homework is related to the curriculum, meaningful, and integrated into instruction. Homework prepares students for instruction, previews or practices skills and concepts, extends learning, and provides students the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge. Effective homework varies in format. Timely and meaningful feedback on homework improves student achievement. Homework practices are fair, and assignments are manageable for students and teachers.

Homework for practice or preparation for instruction is assigned to build skills and understanding. This type of homework does not evaluate learning and is therefore not graded for accuracy (correctness) or quality (degree to which standards are met). It is not intended to penalize students who either fail to understand the material, make careless errors, or are confused by the assignment and do not know how to complete it. Rather, the intent of this homework is to help students learn and to prepare them for subsequent tasks that are graded.

Overall, CCSD93 believes the following about homework:

  • Homework is related to the curriculum, meaningful, and integrated into instruction.
  • Homework prepares students for instruction, previews or practices skills and concepts, or extends learning.
  • Teachers use the information they glean from completed homework tasks to plan instruction, not as a summative assessment of a student's ability.
  • A student's responsibility for completing homework is monitored. Coming to school unprepared may negatively impact a student's ability to meet a standard.

Voices from the Field

Much research has been done on best homework practices. While CCSD93 does not follow every practice listed in the articles and videos below, the information and research shows the large shift in homework practices around the nation throughout the years.

Parents Rebelling Against Homework - Article from the National Post

Homework When Students Are Ready - Article by Andrew Miller