Homework Guidelines

What is homework?

Homework is teacher assigned and monitored learning experiences that take place outside the classroom in a variety of settings. Homework is a planned part of the education process designed to enhance student learning, and is directly connected to The Ontario Curriculum Learning Expectations, Learning Skills, and Ministry of Education Reporting Guidelines. The Halton District School Board believes that, at this level, homework is an aid in developing life-long learning skills such as self-discipline, task commitment, time management, responsibility, independence, initiative, and problem solving. Homework is also one means of demonstrating and building the partnership between home and school that leads to more consistent success in all aspects of school life.

• Completion - anything not completed in class
• Practice - review and reinforcement of learning presented in class
• Preparation – home preparation for the next day’s class work
• Extension/Creative – creative applications that integrate and/or expand upon classroom learning

What are the characteristics of effective homework?

• clearly defined, purposeful, and developmentally appropriate
• supports student achievement of The Ontario Curriculum Learning Expectations, and development of Learning Skills
• amount and time required to complete homework can be modified to meet individual student’s home situation, needs, and abilities
• level of challenge requires little or no teaching outside the classroom
• fosters a love of learning (e.g., varied approaches, strategies, and presentation formats)
• monitored regularly and assessed and/or evaluated where appropriate
• provides opportunities for family members to become involved in the child’s learning
  

Teacher

• provide clear, purposeful, and developmentally appropriate assignments (e.g., what has to be done, how is it to be done, when is it to be done, and why is it to be done)
• establish a partnership with parents and students that promotes timely, regular communication (e.g., monthly calendar, communication booklet/log, etc.)
• monitor homework and provide regular feedback
• summarize and report on homework completion in the Learning Skills section of the Report Card
• teach skills necessary for successful homework completion (e.g., materials organization, time management, problem solving)

Student

• make sure she/he understands the homework
• complete all homework to the best of her/his abilities
• manage time and materials (e.g., bring home necessary materials, bring homework back to school at appropriate time, communicate any problems to teacher)

Family

• provide a suitable environment for working at home
• participate appropriately in homework experience (e.g., clarify expectations, establish homework routines, provide guidance as needed)
• communicate regularly with teacher(s)
• monitor and encourage student’s progress and homework completion
• establish a balance between homework and other activities

School

• establish school homework guidelines
• offer information to assist parents in helping their children learn at home

Extended Absences During The School Year

It is the expectation of the Halton District School Board that students will attend school on scheduled school days and take holidays according to the school year calendar. In the event that parents choose to take their child(ren) out of school at times other than school holidays, the onus lies with them to provide program. Teachers cannot provide detailed daily homework assignments that replicate the missed school work.
Parents are encouraged to plan activities such as daily journals, travel logs, reading, and related mathematics, science, and technology activities.

Assessment and Evaluation

Homework should be tracked, acknowledged, and assessed for completion, with homework completion being evaluated and reported on only in the Learning Skills section of the Provincial Report Card. The Ministry of Education requires teachers to separate the reporting of Learning Skills, including Homework Completion, from the reporting of achievement of curriculum expectations.