Homework Policy

Objective: To define appropriate time for work to be completed outside of school.

Scope: All students in grades K through 12

Definitions:

Homework: Any assignment or research done outside of the classroom setting.

GUIDELINES

  1. LCA assigns homework to its students for many reasons. The primary reasons are: students often need extra practice in specific, new concepts, skills, or facts. In certain subjects (i.e. math), there is not enough time in a school day to complete the practice necessary for mastery. Therefore, after reasonable in-class time is spent on the material, the teacher may assign homework to allow for the necessary practice.
  2. Repeated, short periods of practice or study of new information is often a more effective way to learn than one long period of study.
  3. Homework may be assigned to students who, having been given adequate time to complete an assignment in class, did not use the time wisely.
  4. Homework allows students to learn good study habits and time management skills.
  5. Since LCA recognizes that parental involvement is critical to a child’s education, homework can be used as an opportunity for parents/guardians to actively assist their child in his or her studies. This also keeps the parents/guardians informed as to the current topics of study

GUIDELINES FOR THE QUANTITY OF HOMEWORK:

  1. Since homework, by its nature, takes time at home, it will not be assigned due to the teacher’s poor planning or in place of an assignment that could have been completed in school.
  2. The time required for homework will vary by grade and student. The table below contains “average” times for average students with good study habits. Some students will require more or less time than the amounts listed.
  3. In Kindergarten through fifth grade, a weekly Homework Assignment Sheet will be used. In grades sixth and above, a student-owned assignment book (or planner) will be used.
  4. Normally, homework will be reduced or eliminated over weekends for the lower school only. For all grades, normally, the only homework that will be assigned over vacation periods is the reading of books.
  5. Teachers will coordinate their assignments in order to achieve the average homework per night as seen in the chart.
  6. Parents with students who have excessive late or missing homework assignments will be contacted by their student's teachers.

AVERAGE HOMEWORK PER NIGHT

Kindergarten: 0–10 minutes per night

Grades 1-2: 10–20 minutes per night

Grades 3-4: 20–30 minutes per night

Grades 5-6: 30–60 minutes per night

Grades 7-8: 60–90 minutes per night

Grades 9-12: 1 1⁄2 to 3 hours per night

Homework is to be turned in at the beginning of class, or sent via email to arrive to the teacher before the beginning of class.

CURSIVE WRITING REQUIREMENT 

Students are taught cursive writing in 2nd grade and are required to use it in all subjects from 3rd through 8th grade unless stated otherwise on a Student Success Plan.

Students will not be allowed to do homework on computers in the Lower School or Middle School unless stated otherwise on a Student Success Plan. (some 8th grade papers may be typed at the discretion of the teacher).

ELECTRONIC POLICY FOR SUBMITTING UPPER SCHOOL HOMEWORK  

A printed copy of all homework must be submitted to the teacher. Teachers may choose to accept an electronic copy of the homework.

Revised Date: June 17, 2015

Posted in Student Handbook