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New Late/Missing Work Policy 08-09

Rudd Middle School Classwork/Homework and Late/Missing Work Policy[1]

Purpose of Homework

There are several purposes for homework. At Rudd Middle School, homework is used to help students understand and review the work that has been covered in class, to see whether students understand the lesson, and to help students learn how to find and use more information on a subject. Homework can also serve as a communication link between school and home that shows what children are studying.  Classes in which homework is routinely assigned and graded tend to have higher achieving students. Homework should be necessary and useful, appropriate to the ability and maturity level of students, well explained and motivational, and clearly understood by students and parents. Homework should be tied to the current subject matter, assigned in amounts and levels of difficulty which students can complete successfully, and should be checked quickly, with feedback to students.  Rudd Middle School is eager to provide the best possible educational opportunities for all our students. These include physical facilities, professional and supportive staff, learning materials and other resources. Only about seven hours per day of a pupil’s time is under the control of the schools. Therefore, parents and the public share the responsibility for educating children in all aspects of life. Homework, along with sports, special programs, and other activities is an important link in a total educational program. Rudd Middle School adheres to the stated policy of the Jefferson County Board of Education which states:Recognizing that all learning does not occur in the school, teachers may make outside assignments where it is appropriate as to grade levels and curriculum. These activities should be an outgrowth of classroom instruction and should be followed through by the teacher.In planning outside assignments, an excessive burden should not be placed on resource people, school facilities, students, or parents.The following guidelines should be used in implementing this policy:Ø      All homework should be evaluated and returned to student.Ø      Credit should be given for all homework and become a part of the nine weeks grade.Ø      Homework should be fully explained so that students understand and can carry out the assignment.Ø      Homework assignments should be meaningful and reasonable. A good guide is ten minutes time the student's grade level. For example, a high school student would have a total of about two hours homework per night. A third grader would have about 30 minutes per night. This would not include study time for tests which have been assigned.Ø      Assignments before major school events, standardized testing dates, and authorized school vacations should be limited.Ø      Teachers should inform students and parents of homework expectations. Whenever possible, problems which arise should be handled at the local school level.

Definition of Homework

Homework is defined as tasks assigned to students by school teachers that are intended to be carried out during non-school hours if not completed during class time.  Generally speaking, these assignments are routine in nature and are an extension of the current lesson/topic of the class.

Responsibility of the Student

It is the responsibility of the student to:·        Expect to spend a total of 60 minutes on homework in 6th grade, 70 minutes on homework in 7th grade, and 80 minutes on homework in 8th grade.·        Keep an up-to-date planner (calendar) for homework and other assignments and their due dates.·        Clarify with the teacher any instructions not understood.·        Turn in homework on the due date to the assigned appropriate teacher.·        Complete homework in proper form, clearly identified with name and class.·        Arrange a proper study area, either at home or in school, and manage time to accomplish homework assignments.·        Establish a regular weekly study schedule that is relatively free from distraction (television, telephone calls, computer chatting, etc.).·        For preplanned absences please follow the JefCoEd policy.

Responsibility of the Parent

It is the responsibility of the parent to:·        Make homework a daily activity.·        Assume your student will have studying to do every night.·        Set up a comfortable location for doing homework. This does not have to be a “special” room, but should have good lighting and be free of distractions. Allow your student(s) to study in the way each of them learns best. ·        Make sure your student has the necessary supplies.  ·        Work with your student’s outside activity schedule and preferences when setting up a regular homework time.·        Help your student get organized. One way is by regularly checking their planner (calendar).·        Ensure that your student knows each teacher’s homework policy.·        Show interest in your student’s schoolwork and discuss what your student is learning.  ·        Watch for signs of failure or frustration.·        Discuss with your student and then, if necessary, contact the teacher to clear up any misunderstandings, troubleshoot problems, discuss time management and be informed about your student’s learning progress.  ·        Check progress on homework through STI Home.·        Coordinate homework efforts with the teacher in special cases.

Responsibility of the Administrator

It is the responsibility of the administrator to:·        Communicate the school’s homework policy to parents.·        Monitor the implementation of the policy.·        Coordinate the scheduling of homework among different subjects, if needed.·        Serve as mediator, should the need arise.

Responsibility of the Teacher

It is the responsibility of the teacher to:·        State clearly the purpose of the assignment.·        Explain how the assignment is related to the topic under study.·        Ensure that the child has the skills to complete the homework assignment by providing demonstration of skills during guided practice in the classroom.·        Explain how the assignment might best be carried out.  ·        Explain what the student needs to do to demonstrate the assignment has been completed.  ·        Provide specific written explanation of long-range assignments so that the requirements and expectations are clearly understood by the students and their parents.  ·        Review the assignment before giving it to students and anticipate difficulties.·        Define “late” for assignments and consequences for lateness, and clearly communicate both to students. Repeat periodically.·        Have students write down assignments or hand out written assignments rather than relying only on communicating assignments orally.·        Avoid routine assignments over holiday and vacation time.·        Give special consideration to limiting weekend assignments (review, voluntary projects, or make-up work).·        Provide feedback in a timely manner.·        Use results of homework to plan future instructional activities.·        Include homework as part of the student’s overall grade.

Late Work Policy

There are times in each student’s educational development that assignments may either be lost or forgotten.  Much like life, students must work hard to meet deadlines set by the teacher so that student learning is not negatively affected.  Therefore, Rudd Middle School has adopted the following policy:·        Classwork/Homework turned in complete, according to expectations, and on time will be eligible for full credit.·        Classwork/Homework turned in not according to communicated expectations will not be accepted.·        Students with an excused absence have three days from the date of their return to school to make arrangements with the teacher for any and all missed work.  Otherwise the policy that follows is in full effect. 6th GradeØ      Students will have two weeks (10 school days) from the due date to turn in late classwork/homework for half credit.  These students will be placed in ZAP for those two weeks or until the work is completed.  After the two weeks (10 school days), the students will receive no credit. 7th Grade Ø      Students turning in classwork/homework after the original due date will have one week (5 school days) to turn in late work for half credit.  These students will be placed in ZAP for this week or until the work is completed.  After one week (5 school days), the students will receive no credit. 8th GradeØ      Students turning in classwork/homework after the original due date will have three (3) school days to turn in late work for half credit.  These students will be placed in ZAP for these three days (3) or until the work is completed.  After three (3) school days, the students will receive no credit.  Courses that vary from this policy must have prior administrative approval and notification of the alternative policy must be given to the student and parents in writing.

Before School / After School Resources

Some teachers are on duty at 7:15 AM each morning. Please check with your child’s teacher to determine if they are available in the early morning.  Each teacher has morning arrival duty and/or afternoon dismissal duty several times during the school year and may not be available.  Some teachers stay after school to provide additional tutoring support as arranged by the teacher and the parents of students requesting the service.

Other Resources

Parents and students may get additional assistance through the website homeworkalabama.org.


[1] This policy is derived (with permission) from the current homework policy of Hueytown Middle School.