Homework Guidelines – Elementary
The appropriate amount of homework and its general impact on learning and achievement have long been debated. Some researchers state that at the elementary school level, homework should be assigned to establish good learning habits and keep families informed about their child's learning (Cooper, 1989; Cooper, Lindsay, Nye, & Greathouse, 1998; Gorges & Elliot, 1999). Others argue (Kohn, A., 2012) that homework shows only an association, not causational relationship, with academic achievement. Still, there are some who see that homework can be useful and worthwhile, but that it has not been useful in many cases (Vatterott, C., 2009).
In consideration of the whole child along with the Common Core State Standards, research, and district survey results from elementary teachers, below is the MBUSD Elementary Homework Policy:
Daily Homework - Monday through Thursday
Grades K -2 |
20 minutes (15 minutes daily reading; 5 minutes at teacher discretion) Example: Read 15 minutes daily; one night count a collection at home and record what you counted (accumulation of 20 minutes from the week) |
Grade 3 |
30 minutes |
Grade 4 |
40 minutes |
Grade 5 |
50 minutes |
Grades 3-5 |
Homework should include 20 minutes of daily reading which is included in the total time, not in addition |
The emphasis of homework is on reading
In addition:
Homework should be meaningful!
Homework should not count as part of academic grade
Incomplete homework should not be punitive, rather teachers should communicate with student and parents
Homework should be designed so that it can be completed independently
Homework should be used as a means to develop work and study habits
For K-2 Parents: Best practices for nightly reading (5 minute video)
For Teachers: Homework Guidelines Screencast