Junior/Senior High School Homework Policy

The responsibilities of homework can be divided into three areas - the responsibilities of the student, the responsibilities of the parent, and the responsibilities of the teacher.

The Responsibilities of the Student

Ordinarily, junior and senior high school students will be enrolled in seven courses per semester. They are expected to be enrolled in and attend one course per period for the normal school day.

Since it is not possible to complete all assignments during class time, and do the study and research which necessarily corresponds with higher level courses, students will likely average between one and one-half to two hours of study outside the normal school day (considering that at least one class will be physical education and another elective that will not require much homework). This will include time for reading assingments and review of notes taken in class as well as preparation for tests, quizzes, and discussions for the next day.

In addition to daily assignments, students will be assigned reports, projects, and exams which extend over longer periods of time. Every effort is made by the teachers to avoid scheduling these in conflict with each other. Students need to budget their time to avoid completing these assignments at the last minute.

All assigned work is due on the assigned date. Late work will not be accepted without the prior consent of the teacher.

The Responsibilities of Parents

Homework is designed to enrich the learning of our students, not their parents. Parents can help students be accountable by following the progress of the class syllabus or their children's assignment books, but not by doing the work with or for their child. Parents should help only when asked and only after students have first made an effort to complete their homework. Parents can check answers, but should not correct them. Students will develop independence as they work without adults.

Parents should provide a private place to do homework outside the hub of the family. A time should be set when homework must be finished so that children are not allowed to stay up late at night working on homework. This will encourage improved time management skills.

The Responsibilities of Teachers

The purpose for homework is to review, reinforce, and enrich. Teachers should never assign homework that cannot fall into one of these categories. However, some students who do not manage their classroom time well may need to use time at home to complete assignments that could have been done at school. Teachers assigning homework should keep in mind the other classes in which students are enrolled and remember the one and one-half to two hour recommendations.

In assigning homework teachers should be striving to teach students autonomy, perserverance, time management, initiative, self-reliance, and resourcefulness. These characteristics can only be reached if students are motivated to do their best and are excited about the class. When teachers have goals and plans that are clearly communicated to the students and parents alike, homework will flow easily. Therefore, it is imperative that teachers make use of assignment sheets which clearly lay out directions and expectations for any given assignment. This way students will want to complete their coursework, and parents will know exactly how to best help their children to complete their assignments. When students understand the plan, they will better accept responsibility for the results.

It is the teacher who initiates the homework. It should also be the teacher who controls it and evaluates it. All homework should be graded and recorded. Students should have a clear understanding of how their work will be graded before they complete the assignment. Therefore, teachers are responsible for discussing grading rubrics so that students will comprehend the teacher's expectations and understand exactly what is required for an "A" grade.

Teachers should be available for tutoring at lunch time or after school if needed. Together, students, parents, and teachers can work to successfully complete assignments whether in class or at home.