The School Board of Dade County, Florida recognizes regular, purposeful homework as an essential component of the instructional process in the Dade County Public Schools. Homework is an integral factor in fostering the academic achievement of students and in in extending school activities into the home and the community. Regular homework provides opportunities for develomental practice, drill, the application of skills already learned, the development of independent study skills, enrichment activities, and self discipline. Homework should provide reinforcement and extension of class instruction, and should serve as a basis for further study and preparation for future class assignments. In light of the major purposes for homework, it is not to be assigned as punishment for students for disciplinary reasons.
Responsibility for homework should gradually increase for students in grades one through six. Secondary school homework assignments should recognize that more time and individual student initiative are expected in order to meet increased instructional demands. Homework assignments to exceptional students should reflect the special needs of such students.
In general, homework assignments will be completed for the following day; however, long-range assignments and/or special projects should provide students with an opportunity to develop and refine research and ability to work independently. Teachers should review evidence of progress periodically before the student submits a long-range assignment.
Teachers shall consider the following factors when making homework
assignments:
- The grade level of the student
- Level and degree of dificulty of the subject being studied
- The maturity level of the student
- The instructional needs of the student
- The purpose of the assignment and its relation to the objectives of the
course under study
- The length of the assignment and the amount of time that will be
required to complete it
- Homework demands being made in other subject areas
It is the responsibility of the school staff to assure quality and value in
homework through making assignments which are:
- An outgrowth of classroom instruction
- Clear and definite in purpose
- Clearly related to the objectives being pursued in the classroom
Principals will be responsible for:
- Communicating the School Broad Rule on homework to staff
members, students, and parents
- Reviewing the School Board Homework Rule with the total school staff
- Encouraging parents to communicate with the school if a student's
homework assignments are excessive or not sufficiently challenging
to the student, accordingto the parents' views
- Monitoring the implementation of the homework rule
- Emphasizing reading as an integral part of the school's homework
policy
Teachers will be responsible for:
- Teaching independent study skills
- Making specific assignments
- Checking, reviewing, evaluating, and/or grading student homework
according to the teacher's individual methods, in keeping with a system that is clearly explained to the class
- Giving feedback on homework assignments in a timely manner
- Making instructions related to homework clear and providing, when
necessary, a short period of supervised study or a period of questioning to insure that the students understand the assignment
- Assigning students homework that includes specific periods of time
devoted to reading
Students will be responsible for:
- Completing assigned homework as directed
- Returning homework to the teacher by the designated time
- Submitting homework assignments which reflect careful attention to
detail and quality or work
- Devoting a specified amount of time to reading as part of the
homework assignment
Parents' responsibilities include:
- Providing continued interest and concern for the child's successful
performance in school through encouraging and supporting the child in his/her performance of homework assigned
- Indicating an interest about assignments and assisting, if possible,
when requested by the child, but not to include performing the work for the child
- Supporting the school in regard to the students' being assigned
homework
- Requesting assignments for students when short term absences are
involved
- Assisting the school in stressing the importance of reading and its
benefits
- Assuring that students read when specific homework assignments are
not given or when they are completed before the specified time period
for homework is over
It is understood that it is not the parent's responsibility to have to give a great deal of assistance to the student in completing homework. Parents or other family members should, however, make every effort to read to students who cannot read on their own during the assigned homework period. It is the school's responsibility to make instructions related to homework clear and to provide, when necessary, a short period of supervised study or a period of questioning to insure that the students understand the assignment.
Frequency and Quality of Homework Assignments
Each school, when implementing this homework policy, should consider these
guildlines as daily averages:
| Grade Level | Frequency of Assignments |
Total Daily Average (All Subjects) |
| K - 1 | Daily (5 days a week) | 30 minutes |
| 2 - 3 | Daily (5 days a week) | 45 minutes |
| 4 - 5 | Daily (5 days a week) | 60 minutes |
| 6 - 7 - 8 | Daily (5 days a week) | 75 minutes |
| 9 - 12 | Daily (5 days a week) | 120 minutes |
Reading is recognized as a universal skill that relates to all subjects. Therefore, when specific homework assignments are not given, or when the homework assignment is completed in an expeditious manner, every student will read, minimally, for the amount of time specified in this Board Rule.
Kindergarden teachers shall exercise judgement in making homework assignments, considering the child's readiness level and the type of work to be accomplished.
At the secondary level, students in academic classes should receive a minimum of two homework assignments each week in each class. These assignments should be reflected in the student's class grade.
Specific Authority: 230.22(2) F.S. Law Implemented, Interpreted, or Made Specific: 230.22(1); 230.33(6); 233.061 F.S.
THE SCHOOL BOARD OF DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Repromulgated: 12-11-74
Amended: 1-11-84; 10-10-90