It is recognized that all learning cannot be accomplished within the limited amount of time allotted for classroom instruction. Therefore, homework is routinely assigned to students in the Cherry Creek Schools.
Homework which is properly designed, carefully planned and geared to the development of the individual student meets a real need and has a definite place in the educational program. It is assigned to help the student become more self-reliant, learn to work independently, improve the skills that have been taught and complete certain projects such as the reading of worthwhile books and the preparation of research papers. The goal of this work should be to improve student performance on proficiencies and increase achievement toward high standards of school performance.
The District Summit Plan sets goals for higher student achievement through extending schools days and years. Well designed homework programs can be an effective tool to accomplish these goals.
Homework assignments also afford a way for parents to acquaint themselves with the school program and their own children's educational process.
The purposes of homework are to:
- Reinforce concepts and skills learned during the class period.
- Provide practice with newly-learned skills.
- Develop independent study habits.
- Develop positive habits in planning for and meeting deadlines.
- Teach efficient use of time.
- Learn to use home and community resources.
- Make up work missed because of absence.
- Provide enrichment beyond what is possible in the classroom.
- Provide additional practice in research skills and the ability to communicate ideas in verbal and written form.
- Review material learned earlier in preparation for tests and other class work.
- Plan homework assignments which are meaningful with directions that are readily understood by students and are realistic in terms of time, facilities and resources. Meaningful assignments should include those which improve student performance on proficiencies. For assignments to practice a new skill, research shows that homework practice should not be assigned until students are able to perform the skill at an adequate level, so that their assignment does not cause them to practice errors or misunderstandings. Research also shows that practice distributed over time which reviews the skill periodically is more effective than concentrated practice which is not periodically maintained.
- Evaluate and return homework promptly. Prompt feedback is essential, helpful and valuable.
- Motivate students to excel individually by a judicious choice of assignments.
- Provide a classroom atmosphere which is conducive to the development of good study habits.
- Attend class regularly in order to receive homework assignments.
- Ask for clarification if they do not understand the assignment.
- Complete homework assignments and turn them in on time.
- Check with the teacher if the assignment has not been graded and returned within a reasonable amount of time.
- Emphasize the importance of homework.
- Supervise the homework tasks of younger students.
- Provide an adequate place for students to study.
- Assist in the location of reference materials and resources, if necessary.
- Encourage students to return assignments on time.
- Plan with the teacher as necessary.