Paso Robles JUSD
Administrative Regulation
  AR 6154
Instruction

Homework/Makeup Work

Homework Plan

The principal and staff at each school shall develop and regularly review a school site homework plan which includes guidelines for the assignment of homework and describes the responsibilities of students, staff, and parents/guardians. The school site plan shall be based on the following guidelines:

1. For each grade level, the following guidelines are established including the amount of time students shall be expected to spend on homework.

a. Early Primary Level (Grades K- 1)

Homework in these grades should focus on literacy skills and mathematics concepts and vocabulary, and consist of approximately 15 minutes per day Monday-Thursday. There should be parental involvement and low dependence on paper and pencil activities. In addition, a read aloud program should be in place in kindergarten augmented with independent reading of child-made books and leveled readers as appropriate. Mathematics homework assignments should deal with how mathematics can be found in the lives of students and parents, basic counting and sorting skills, and mathematics vocabulary. In first grade, a read aloud program should be required during the first half of the year and encouraged all year long. Students should be required to participate in an independent reading program as they develop reading fluency. Mathematics homework assignments will be aligned to the grade 1 standards including memorizing addition and subtraction facts. By the end of first grade, students should have transitioned into a homework program that requires regular completion and return of homework assignments. Principals and teachers have the responsibility to monitor and adjust homework guidelines to assure student success.

b. Primary Level (Grades 2-3)

Homework in grades 2-3 should be assigned Monday-Thursday and should be approximately 3 5 minutes including 15 minutes per day of independent reading. Homework assignments should be tied to grade level standards in core content areas with a focus on reading and mathematics including memorization of multiplication and division facts. Principals and teachers have the responsibility to monitor and adjust homework guidelines to assure student success. Students participating in specialized, enrichment or magnet programs, and students who have not met state standards may be assigned additional homework beyond the stated guidelines with principal approval and parent/guardian notification.

c. Intermediate Level (Grades 4-5)

Homework in reading and mathematics and other content areas should be assigned on a regular basis and, in general, should not total more than one hour per day including a minimum 15 minutes of independent reading per day. The homework should be meaningful and consistent with grade level content standards including maintenance of basic arithmetic facts. Homework assigned over weekends should only be used for projects or independent reading. Students participating in specialized, enrichment or magnet programs, and students who have not met state standards may be assigned additional homework beyond the stated guidelines with principal approval and parent/guardian notification. Principals and teachers have the responsibility to monitor and adjust homework guidelines to assure student success.

d. Middle School Level (Grades 6-8)

Homework at this level should be regularly assigned in core curriculum areas, not necessarily daily. As a guideline, the total daily homework assignments should not require more than 1 and 1/2 hours including 30 minutes of independent reading. Whenever possible, guided practice should be provided for students prior to independent practice being assigned to students as homework. Weekend or holiday assignments should be largely for projects or makeup work. Principals should provide a structure so that teachers can plan cooperatively in making assignments in order to ensure an equitable load results for the student. Students participating in specialized, enrichment or magnet programs, and students who have not met state standards may be assigned additional homework beyond the stated guidelines with principal approval and parent/guardian notification. It is the student's responsibility to complete homework assignments including requesting assignments due to absence. Students are also responsible to meet with their teacher(s) when they have difficulty completing an assignment or need additional help in understanding the assignment. It is the student's responsibility to study and review all subjects whether a formal assignment has been given or not.

e. High School Level (Grades 9-12)

Regular homework should be assigned and expected for most high school courses. Weekly homework assignments in courses that meet graduation and/or college entrance requirements shall not exceed more than five hours per course. The total daily hours required to complete assignments will vary according to the courses the student has chosen to take. Students enrolled in Advanced Placement and Honors courses may have additional assignments outside of the stated guidelines. Length of the assignments will vary according to purpose and academic level, but it is suggested that moderate assignments completed and well done are more effective than lengthy or difficult ones poorly done.

Principals should provide a structure so that teachers can plan cooperatively in assigning longterm projects or major activities in order to ensure an equitable load results for the student. It is the student's responsibility to complete homework assignments including requesting assignments due to absence. Students are also responsible to meet with their teacher(s) when they have difficulty completing an assignment or need additional help in understanding the assignment. All extra credit assignments must be tied directly to course standards. It is the student's responsibility to study and review all subjects whether a formal assignment has been given or not.

2. Each school site should have an independent reading program. The research based on independent reading is extensive and has determined that it builds and maintains reading skills, increases vocabulary, and enhances the probability of students becoming lifelong readers. An independent reading program should encourage students to read a variety of different types of materials including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, magazines, newspapers, technical manuals and materials, challenging literature, etc. Recreational reading is highly encouraged.

3. Each school site shall have a structure that allows the teacher, principal (or designee) and parent/guardian to work together to modify the homework guidelines to meet individual and special needs of a student (example: Student Study Team).

4. Under the approval of the principal and with parent/guardian notification, students who have not met the state and/or district grade level standards may be required to complete additional homework assignments beyond the stated guidelines.

5. Students who participate in specialized, magnet, enrichment, accelerated, Advanced Placement, or Honors programs may need to spend additional time on homework assignments beyond the stated guidelines. Principal approval is needed for programs that are expected to exceed the stated guidelines. Parents/guardians and students must be notified as to any additional expectations.

6. It is expected that teachers will communicate with parents/guardians in a timely manner when homework is not completed regularly.

7. Students should receive feedback on homework assignments in a timely manner using a variety of correction methods.

8. A school site homework plan must also address techniques that will be taught to help students allocate their time wisely, meet their deadlines, and develop good personal study habits.

9. In assigning major projects and activities that represent a significant portion of a student's grade and/or time, teachers will:

a. Establish and communicate criteria for the evaluation of the project including identifying minimum requirements, format and/or presentation guidelines and characteristics of levels of performance (rubric levels or grading levels). For students in grades K-8, parent/guardian notification of major projects and activities is required (including due dates and check points).

b. Establish clear due dates for final project completion and check points to assure student progress toward project completion. Teachers are expected to communicate with parents/guardians if students fail to meet major check points.

c. Work on major project assignments should be included in the time allotted for homework.

10. The school site plan shall specify the means by which parents/guardians shall be informed regarding homework expectations, the relationship of homework to the student's grades or rubric levels, how to best help their child with homework, and school resources to assist their child with homework.

11. It is suggested that parents and guardians do the following to support their child in completing homework assignments:

a. Provide a suitable environment for homework and set a regular study time that is rarely interrupted by family plans or other activities.

b. Give assistance and encouragement when students get frustrated or discouraged with particularly difficult assignments (but never do the homework for their child). In grades 4-12, encourage and/or help the child to seek assistance from their teacher or other school resources to receive help in completing homework assignments or in learning concepts and skills not mastered.

c. Monitor the completion of homework.

d. Work with the teacher and/or principal (or designee) to coordinate and/or modify homework assignments in special cases and when unusual difficulties arise.

Makeup Work

Note: SB 1468 (Ch. 846, Statutes of 1998) amended Education Code 48980 to require districts to notify parents/guardians of state law regarding credit for makeup work following an excused absence.

The Superintendent or designee shall notify parents/guardians that no student may have his/her grade reduced or lose academic credit for any excused absence when missed assignments and tests are satisfactorily completed within a reasonable period of time. Such notification shall include the full text of Education Code 48205. (Education Code 48980) Alternative assignments may be given when it is not feasible to replicate the original assignment.

Board Policy
  BP 6154
Instruction

Homework/Makeup Work

The Governing Board recognizes that homework contributes toward building responsibility, self-discipline and life-long learning habits, and that time spent on homework directly influences students' ability to meet the district's academic standards. The Board expects students, parents/guardians and staff to regard homework as a routine and important part of students' daily lives.

(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that administrators and teachers develop and implement an effective homework plan at each school site. As needed, teachers may receive training in designing relevant, challenging and meaningful homework assignments that reinforce classroom learning objectives. Teachers' expectations related to homework may be addressed in their biannual evaluations under instructional techniques and strategies Education Code 44662(B)(2)).

Homework is the time students spend outside the classroom in assigned activities to practice, reinforce or apply newly-acquired skills and knowledge and to learn necessary skills of independent study. Homework can:

1. Provide additional practice, increasing the amount of time students are actively engaged in learning and extending time on task.

2. Be useful to teachers for monitoring student progress and diagnosing student learning problems.

3. Be an effective way to increase student personal responsibility and individual accountability.

4. Facilitate more rapid movement through the curriculum; students can augment class time with outside study, allowing teachers to introduce new material more quickly.

5. Lead to increased communications between parents/guardians and the schools and encourage parent awareness of student learning.

6. Contribute to students' and parents' understanding that the school holds high expectations of students.

7. Develop literacy skills through independent reading assignments.

(cf. 4115 - Evaluation/Supervision)
(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)

The Board holds an expectation that parents/guardians will monitor and assist with the student homework program. Although it is the student's responsibility to do most homework assignments independently, the Board expects teachers at all grade levels to use parents/guardians as a contributing resource. When students repeatedly fail to do their homework, parents/guardians shall be notified and asked to contact the teacher.

On the average, approximately six hours per day of a student's time is under the supervision and control of the schools. Therefore, parents/guardians and the public share the responsibility of educating students in all aspects of life. Homework, along with sports, special programs and other activities is an important link in a total educational program.

(cf. 5020 - Parent Rights and Responsibilities)
(cf. 6020 - Parent Involvement)

To further support students' homework efforts, the Superintendent or designee may establish and maintain before, noon-time and after-school programs where students can receive encouragement and clarification about homework assignments from teachers, volunteers and/or more advanced students. The Board encourages the Superintendent or designee to design programs that will enable students to make use of homework support services.

(cf. 1240 - Volunteer Assistance)
(cf. 1700 - Relations between Private Industry and the Schools)
(cf. 3541 - Transportation Routes and Services)
(cf. 5148 - Child Care and Development)
(cf. 6112 - School Day)
(cf. 6142.4 - Learning through Community Service)

Makeup Work

Students who miss school work because of an excused absence shall be given the opportunity to complete all assignments and tests that can be reasonably provided. As determined by the teacher, the assignments and tests shall be reasonably equivalent to, but not necessarily identical to, the assignments and tests missed during the absence. Students shall receive full credit for work satisfactorily completed within a reasonable period of time. (Education Code 48205)

(cf. 5113 - Absences and Excuses)

Students who miss school work because of unexcused absences shall be given the opportunity make up missed work. Teachers shall assign such makeup work as necessary to ensure academic progress, not as a punitive measure.

(cf. 6182 - Opportunity School/Class/Program)

Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
48205 Absences for personal reasons
48913 Completion of work missed by suspended student
48980 Parental notifications
58700-58702 Tutoring and homework assistance program; summer school apportionment credit

Management Resources:
SBE POLICIES
Parent Involvement in the Education of Their Children, 1994
Policy Statement on Homework, 1995

Policy PASO ROBLES PUBLIC SCHOOLS
adopted: April 11, 2000 Paso Robles, California