School Home Work Policy - February 2018
Homework Policy
The MMHS recognizes the
importance of homework in supporting classroom learning. All partners: families,
students and teachers need to share a common understanding of the purpose of
homework so that this strategy may be used and supported effectively by all
partners.
The assigning of
homework must be purposeful and intentionally planned in an effective classroom
environment. At times homework may be used to reinforce concepts learned
in class, at other times it is used as an extension activity for students who
want to reach ahead or enrich their learning. In another example,
homework may be the result of class work not completed for one reason or
another or it may be learning that is required before students engage with the
content of the next class.
MMHS strives to ensure
that homework is intentional and purposeful and the time spent on homework
respects the age and grade of the student, developmental abilities, the balance
between academics and family activities and equity of resources and technology
availability to students at home. As such, homework assigned in Grade 9
does not exceed a daily total of 50 minutes for all courses and for students in
Grades 10-12 does not exceed a daily 90 minutes of assigned work in total for
all courses and not assigned over school breaks (long weekends, winter and
spring breaks). As students may be
taking a variety of course at each level, they should plan for 15 -18 minutes
per grade 9 course and 20 – 24 minutes for courses at the grade 10 through 12
level.
MMHS recognizes that the
completion and monitoring of homework is a partnership between three parties:
the student, the teacher and the families. All three have
responsibility in the effective implementation of a homework program in a
course.
The student will:
- Make
conscientious effort to complete all assigned homework in a timely fashion
- Communicate
with teachers about homework accommodation as needs arise to determine
next steps and supports
- Develop
skills, in partnership with teachers and parents, to create homework
schedules to support completion
- Understand
the purpose of the homework in supporting their learning in the classroom
- Seek
clarification from the teacher about homework before departing for home on
the day it is assigned
- Value collaborative learning as
a form of homework
The teacher will:
- Share
expectations regarding homework with both family and students
- Use
their professional judgement to assign homework when it has been deemed to
support the program of study
- Work
with the Board calendar that outlines significant faith days (SFD/t diamond days) and school holidays to ensure
homework is not assigned
- Provide
instruction and time in class for students to develop skills to organize
and plan for homework
- Provide
accommodations in homework to meet the needs of English Language Learners
(ELL) and Special Education Students
- Make
notation of homework completion and use this as evidence in determining a
report for learning skills on the Provincial Report Card but not used to generate grades
- Homework
will not be used to generate summative grades. If recorded in TeachAssist (or another
marks manager program) a weighting of zero should be assigned
The Family/Parents/Guardians will:
- Encourage
and support homework completion in the home by the student
- Consult with the teacher with regards to homework
as the need arises
- Discuss with the student an appropriate space/time
for independent learning
Monitor the work habits of students, their achievement with assigned
task and overall well being.
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Board Policies and Procedures
All Board policies and their related procedures, where applicable, are available on our Board public website or in school offices.
We value and promote open dialogue and encourage feedback on policy issues related to the delivery of public education in York Region schools.
To ensure the policies governing the operation of the Board remain current, trustees engage in a four-year cyclical review of all Board policies. This review includes seeking feedback from members of the educational community in an equitable and transparent manner.
All policies available for comment are on the Board’s public website and sent to the Chair(s) of each school council, to be shared with members of the school community. If you feel a policy needs to be revised, please share specific wording changes with related rationale through your school council for submission to the Policy and By-Law Committee for consideration.