Homework

Philosophy:

Homework is a genuine learning experience. It can help students review and practice what they learned in class, prepare them for the next day's activities, explore subjects more fully than time permits at school, and help them become familiar with other resources such as libraries, reference materials, encyclopedias and the Internet. Homework can also foster good study habits, independence and a sense of responsibility in students, and strengthen parental involvement in learning.

A study by Julian Betts, an associate professor of economics at the University of California at San Diego, found that students who completed an extra half hour of math per night in seventh grade greatly increased achievement in that subject by 11th grade. He concluded that the amount of homework assigned had more impact on student performance than class size or teacher quality.

Homework is a logical extension of the classroom. With the rise of standards-based education, students who do not extend their learning beyond the confines of their classrooms will find themselves falling further and further behind other students and schools whose students put in up to an hour and half of homework for each college prep course.

Study groups are highly encouraged. Highly functioning study groups will add enjoyment, socialization, collaboration, and various expertise to the homework experience. Students studying in groups will learn to work with others and in collaborative settings. Group work is highly encouraged by business and industry. Cheating, such as wholesale copying, nullifies the purpose of homework.

Recommended Environment:

Students should have a regular place and time wherein they can do homework on a daily basis. A student desk in one’s bedroom is a typical setting for homework. Ideally this space can be left undisturbed for long-term projects. Music and television maybe add to the students’ ability to work or it may detract. For projects and activity-based homework, a bit of music may add to the enjoyment of the experience. However, if one is preparing for a test, reading for information or attempting to memorize, distractions will generally impede progress. Ideally, students should have access to other materials and resources such as calculators, dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases and the Internet.

Teacher Responsibility:

Teachers make homework assignments meaningful only as they supplement planned and proposed classroom instruction. Homework assignments may increase in difficulty and number as students progress through the grade levels. Teachers will collaborate and will attempt to coordinate with other teacher so that multiple projects are not due at the same time.

ESHS Homework Policy:

Students legally absent for more than three consecutive days may request home assignments through the assistant principal’s secretary. You do not have to wait the three days before requesting the home assignments. For a shorter absence, students should contact a friend in the same class. Students expecting a prolonged period of absence may qualify for a home teacher. As soon as E.S.H.S. is connected to the internet, each teacher will be provided a website in order to post their weekly homework assignments and other important information.

Students excused for part of a day for a planned absence, including school-related activities (field trips, athletics, etc.) medical/dental appointments, or court appearances, must submit homework for classes to be missed before the absence or it may not be accepted. Students should meet with the teacher prior to a planned absence to arrange to take tests or quizzes scheduled for the day of the absence.

College prep classes will assign an average of a half hour of homework daily. Honors and AP classes will assign significantly more.