Homework

HOMEWORK EXPECTATIONS 

As a guide, MYP students should not have more than 2 summative assessments due on any given date; DP students will have no more than three summative assessments on a single day, including DP Assessments. Summative assessments generally require a significant amount of out of class time to complete or prepare for.

Since MYP and DP courses often include complex tasks to be completed over extended periods of time, students will need to manage their time well. There are individualized assessment calendars on ManageBac to help students manage their time most effectively.

All homework assignments should have a purpose and the student should understand the purpose of the homework task. Homework is defined by ISU as out-of-class tasks that students are required to complete by a set date. Homework assignments are necessary to develop the ability to plan, organize and develop independent study habits.  Homework should be designed to support the learning that takes place in class or to front load students in preparation for future classes. Repetitive ‘busy’ work should not be set as homework.

Granting of Extensions of Due Dates

Unless specifically noted, all assessments are due at the start of the class on the DUE DATE. Granting of any extensions is at the discretion of the teacher. As the assessment calendars are public documents and explicit, any extensions need to be solicited BEFORE the assessment is due! It is not okay for a student to ask for an extension on the same day a task is due. If the new agreed upon due date is met the student work will receive feedback and the mark will be recorded and reported. All extensions granted should be recorded by the teacher in their own records. This will help teachers spot patterns in student behavior. These extensions should be shared with the Principal / MYP/DP Coordinator by E-mail as needed.

Work not submitted due to absence from school: if a student is absent from school on the day an assessment is due, the work needs to be handed in:

1. Electronically on the same day (e.g. via email, posted to Google Docs, uploaded to ManageBac) 

OR 

2. The assessment is due at the start of the next class. (e.g. if a student misses a class and work was due, they must submit it to the teacher at the start of the next scheduled class)  How this work is handed in is at the discretion of the teacher.

Consequences for work not handed in on time. 

Student failure to hand in work is a discipline issue. Students will face immediate consequences for not handing work in on time.  Work submitted late will be reflected in a student's Approaches to Learning (ATL) grade, NOT in their academic grade. 

Missing summative assessments, and whenever possible all formative assessments, must be completed in order to:

1. Have an accurate measure of how well the student has achieved the learning objectives.

2. Ensure the student understands the relevant program assessment processes and tools.

Make-up Sessions:

Make-up sessions for students to complete missed assignments can be accomplished after school with advance notice (parent notified by lunch time of same day). The level of support and consequence will increase as the student shows different levels of ATL ability.

Consequences (In One Semester):

First offenses are at the discretion of the teacher and may include but are not limited to:

• Verbal warnings and reminder of expectation

• Students retained at lunch times or Make-up Sessions to complete the work

• Email to parents

• Teacher records incident on ManageBac Behavior tab, for own records

Second offense:

• Students retained at lunch times or Make-up Sessions to complete the work

• An email is sent home 

• Student removed from all breaks until work has been completed.

• Teacher records incident on ManageBac Behavior tab, for own records

Third offense:

• Students retained at lunch times or Make-up Sessions to complete the work

• Parent Meeting with the MYP/DP Coordinator or Principal

• Student removed from all extra-curricular activities and breaks until work has been completed.

• MYP/DP Coordinator or Principal records behavior log on ManageBac showing the historical record.

Repeated requests to submit work late, and work not submitted, will affect the student’s overall Approaches to Learning (ATL) level in that subject.

*In case of repeated offences/ or failure to attend after school support: Students may lose the privilege of participating in school activities/ events at the discretion of the Principal/MYP/DP Coordinator. Parents will be notified.

Lack of Evidence 

Achievement Levels for all criteria are determined by evidence from assessments undertaken during a learning period. Failure to complete the required assessment tasks for a given course may prevent students from establishing a pattern of achievement and reaching the upper levels of the IB grading scale. If there is a lack of evidence, formative assessments and feedback may be used to determine a final achievement grade (DP and MYP Principles to Practice Document).

Official IB Diploma Assessments

Taking the time to thoroughly complete DP assessments is a required part of the IB programme that all students acknowledged prior to joining the Diploma Programme by signing the ISU Parent-Student DP Agreement. These assessments contribute to the student’s overall DP grade and are a critical part of the student’s journey towards success in the programme. Submitting these assessments on time allow the teacher to review them in a timely fashion and, when appropriate, offer important feedback to the student. Late submission of these assignments is problematic for both the student and the teacher in terms of providing and receiving critical feedback and an appropriate grade, and the teacher’s ability to authenticate the student’s work as their own. 

The IB designates that schools create their own deadlines for DP Assessment tasks. As such, the IB recognizes the school’s right to not submit a DP Assessment Task that a candidate hands in past the school’s published due date. 

• IB Diploma Assessment due dates are included in the school’s Class of 2023 or Class of 2024 Assessment Calendar and made available to the students and parents.

• All due dates are posted on ManageBac to allow appropriate planning and time management. If exceptional circumstances arise, the student should discuss this with the teacher well in advance.

• It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the make a careful note of the due date for each assessment written work and oral presentations—and presents this work on time. Part of the development of Principled and Balanced learners is sticking to published due dates. 

If a Draft due date for a DP assessment is not met: 

1. The teacher notifies the parents and DP Coordinator via email that day.

2. The student has 48 hours to submit the draft. 

3. If the draft has not been submitted by this time, the student will not receive written feedback (but can receive oral feedback at the teacher’s discretion). 

4. If this happens more than once, or in more than one subject, disciplinary measures may be taken, beginning with a meeting that may require parental participation.  

If a Final due date for a DP assessment is not met: 

1. The teacher immediately notifies the parents and DP Coordinator via email.

2. At the IB Diploma Coordinator’s discretion, the student may be pulled from his/her classes to complete and upload the assessment that day, regardless of its state of completion, OR the draft copy may be submitted to the IB as the final version.

3. If this happens more than once, or in more than one subject, parents will be called in for a meeting and/or the student may forfeit the opportunity to pursue an IB Diploma.

According to the IB, all of the following are reasonably under control of the candidate and are thus NOT acceptable excuses for non-submission of IB assessments:  

• Technical problems e.g. hardware and software problems  

• Short term illness e.g. ill immediately before or on the day the assessment is due (coursework can be emailed or brought into school by a family member)  

• Misreading or misunderstanding the assessment or exam calendar

• Oversleeping, resulting in a late submission or missed exam

• Family holidays  

• Moving house  

• Social and sporting commitments  

• Attendance at interviews  

• Participation in events such as competitions, concerts, graduation ceremonies 

• The candidate not completing work owing to a lack of diligence or personal organization

All coursework must be the independent work of the student concerned. The ISU’s Academic Honesty Policy explains the procedures to be followed in the event of suspected malpractice.