The Governing Board recognizes that meaningful homework assignments can be a valuable extension of student learning time and assist students in developing good study habits. Homework shall be assigned when necessary to support classroom lessons, enable students to complete unfinished assignments, or review and apply academic content for better understanding.
The Superintendent or designee shall collaborate with school administrators and teachers to develop and regularly review guidelines for the assignment of homework and the related responsibilities of students, staff, and parents/guardians.
Homework assignments shall be reasonable in length and appropriate to the grade level and course. The Board expects that the number, frequency, and degree of difficulty of homework assignments will increase with the grade level and the maturity of students. Teachers shall assign homework only as necessary to fulfill academic goals and reinforce current instruction.
(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)
As needed, teachers may receive training in designing relevant homework assignments that reinforce classroom learning objectives.
(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)
Although on-time completion of homework is important to maintain academic progress, the Board recognizes that students learn at different rates. Students shall receive credit for work that is completed late in order to encourage their continued learning.
Age-appropriate instruction may be given to help students allocate their time wisely, meet their deadlines, learn to work independently, and develop good personal study habits.
At the beginning of the school year, teachers shall communicate homework expectations to students and their parents/guardians. Homework guidelines shall also be included in student and/or parent/guardian handbooks. These communications shall include the manner in which homework relates to achievement of academic standards and course content, the impact of homework assignments on students' grades, any school resources and programs that are available to provide homework support, and ways in which parents/guardians may appropriately assist their children.
Although it is the student's responsibility to undertake assignments independently, parents/guardians may serve as a resource and are encouraged to ensure that their child's homework assignments are completed. When a student repeatedly fails to complete homework, the teacher shall notify the student's parents/guardians as soon as possible so that corrective action can be taken prior to the release of any final grades or report cards.
(cf. 5020 - Parent Rights and Responsibilities)
(cf. 6020 - Parent Involvement)
To further support students' homework efforts, the Superintendent or designee may establish and maintain electronic forums, provide access to school library media centers and technological resources, and/or provide before-school and after-school programs where students can receive homework assistance from teachers, volunteers, and/or student tutors. The Board encourages the Superintendent or designee to design class and transportation schedules 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. 5148.2 - Before/After School Programs)
(cf. 6112 - School Day)
(cf. 6142.4 - Service Learning/Community Service Classes)
(cf. 6163.1 - Library Media Centers)
Teachers shall review all completed homework to assess the student's understanding of academic content and shall provide timely feedback to the student.
Makeup Work
Students who are absent from school 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 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.
(cf. 5113 - Absences and Excuses)
The Superintendent or designee shall notify parents/guardians that no student may have a 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)
(cf. 5121 - Grades/Evaluation of Student Achievement)
(cf. 5145.6 - Parental Notifications)
Suspended Students
When a parent/guardian of a student who has been suspended for two or more school days requests homework that the student would otherwise have been assigned, the student's teacher shall provide such homework. If a homework assignment is requested and is turned in to the teacher by the student either upon the student's return from suspension or within the timeframe originally prescribed by the teacher, whichever is later, and is not graded before the end of the academic term, the homework assignment shall not be included in the calculation of the student's overall grade in the class. (Education Code 48913.5)
The teacher of any class from which a student is suspended may require the student to complete any assignments and tests missed during the suspension. (Education Code 48913)
(cf. 5144.1 - Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
8420-8428 21st Century High School After School Safety and Enrichment for Teens
8482-8484.65 After School Education and Safety Program
8484.7-8484.9 21st Century Community Learning Centers
48205 Absences for personal reasons
48913 Completion of work missed by suspended student
48913.5 Homework assignments for suspended students
48980 Parental notifications
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
7171-7176 21st Century Community Learning Centers
Management Resources:
CSBA PUBLICATIONS
Research-Supported Strategies to Improve the Accuracy and Fairness of Grades, Governance Brief, July 2016
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California State PTA: http://www.capta.org
Policy VALLECITO UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: January 15, 2020 Avery, California