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Academics » Homework Plan

Homework Plan

Parras Middle School Homework Plan Homework is an integral part of the educational process. In addition to reinforcing subjects in the classroom curriculum, it is used to developed quality study habits, to encourage growth of individual students to their full potential, to exercise communication skills, to help develop personal responsibility and to provide each student an opportunity to develop independent judgment and to logically connect or challenge facts and ideas. Emphasis shall be placed on the quality of the experience and address the academic standards rather than the quantity of the work.
 
The Parras Middle School staff and administration have developed a homework plan which includes guidelines for the assignment of homework and describes the responsibilities of students, staff and parents/guardians.
The plan is described below.
  1. For grades 6-8 there is to be a progressive increase in the amount of time necessary to complete quality homework assignments.  Teacher teams will coordinate their homework assignments to avoid overloading students. Students enrolled in classes such as advanced math, honors, or a band elective may expect to spend additional time on homework.  Parent(s)/guardian(s) and teachers will work together to educate students how to allocate their time wisely, meet their deadlines and develop good personal study habits.  At home, students should have a designated time to complete their homework.  Students should have a quiet distraction free area (no cell phones, TV, or computers) to work on their assignments.  It is the student’s responsibility to complete long term assignments or projects on time and not wait until the last minute. For each grade level, the amount of time that students shall be expected to spend on homework is the following:
    • Sixth Grade - 1 hour on average
    • Seventh Grade - 1.5 to 2 hours on average
    • Eighth Grade - 2 hours on average
  2. Homework assignments should be able to be completed independently by students.  If parent(s)/guardian(s) find they are continually helping students, they should contact the teacher with their concerns.
  3. Parent(s)/guardian(s) will be informed in each teacher’s class syllabus of the following expectations:
    1. Homework expectations
    2. How homework relates to the student's grades
    3. How best to help their children
  4. Students have the available resources to them:
    1. Resource materials from the library media center and computers from 7:30 am- 7:55 am, 12 pm - 1 pm and 3 pm - 4 pm.
    2. Assistance from teachers from 7:40 am - 7:55 am by appointment and 2:50 pm - 3:03 pm.
  5. Teachers coordinate large assignments and tests using a shared calendar so that students do not receive an overload of homework on one day.
  6. Homework assignments will be reviewed by the teacher who will provide regular timely feedback to the student. Homework will be monitored and returned to the student by the teacher. Teacher grading policy will reflect a balance among class work, homework, projects, tests and other multiple measures.
  7. When students repeatedly fail to complete the assigned homework, parent(s)/guardian(s) shall be notified and asked to contact the teacher. Although it is the student's responsibility to do most homework assignments independently, teachers at all grade levels will use parent(s)/guardian(s) as a contributing source of support and communication.
  8. Teachers are strongly encouraged not to assign newly introduced homework over the weekend and every effort will be made to limit assignments of long-term projects to be completed during major holiday breaks.

Makeup Work

 

  • No student may have his/her grade reduced or lose academic credit for any excused absence when missed assignments and tests are satisfactorily completed within a reasonable period of time as determined by the teacher.
  • An excused absence is designated as an illness, a medical appointment, an appearance in court, observance of a religious holiday or ceremony, participation in religious exercises or instruction as specified in Education Code 48205.
  • As determined by the teacher, the assignments and tests shall be reasonably equivalent to, but not necessarily identical to, the assignments and tests missed during the absence. (Education Code 48205).
  • Students who miss schoolwork because of unexcused absences may be given the opportunity, at the option of the teacher, to make up missed work for full or reduced credit.
  • The teacher of any class from which a student is suspended shall require the student to complete any assignments and tests missed during the suspension. (Education Code 48913)
  • Students who miss work because of truancy should not expect to receive credit for the time missed, nor should they expect to take any missed examinations for credit. However, the final decision shall rest with the teacher, who should make allowances for mitigating circumstances.