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The amount of homework that is considered acceptable, and the weight it should carry towards a stuent's final grade in class, have long been matters of debate among teachers. According to this article by Anthony Rebora, the ultimate decision regarding the effect homework has on grades has been taken out of Los Angeles teachers' hands, because "The Los Angeles school district is instituting a new policy uniformly limiting homework to 10 percent of a student's grade." The reason for this, says Rebora, is that after researching the situation it was determined that students were being "punished" by homework when their "home academic environment" was less than favorable.
Larry Strauss, a Los Angles high school English teacher, claims this new policy lowers expectations for students, says Rebora. Strauss points out that while students tend to balk at homework, ultimately they appreciate teachers who hold high expectations for their academic success.
While I, in some respects, agree with the school district's argument that a student's home environment plays a big role in their success with homework, I don't feel that mandating the weight placed on it is the right answer. For one thing, lowering homework expectations does not prepare a college-bound student for the rigors of independent academic work required at the university level. Even for students who are not college bound, the self-discipline required to complete independent work at home builds a work ethic that will enhance a student's success in any area of the workplace.
I believe that decisions regarding homework should rest with the individual teacher. As long as teachers are conscientious about assigning relevant learning tasks that will enhance a student's academic skills (not "busy work"), I feel it's reasonable to hold high expectations for all of the students, and grade that work accordingly. Of course, there are always special circumstances, but I feel teachers should deal with those cases on an individual basis and make decisions according to what's best for the student.
The original blog post, "Do Limits on Homework Lower Expectatons?" by Anthony Rebora published June 30, 2011, can be viewed at http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teaching_now/2011/06/do_limits_on_homework_lower_expectations.html
I couldn't agree with you more. It should be up to the teacher as to what they feel is best for their students.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that by not assigning homework to students you are hurting them in the long run. What we find in higher education is that students are not prepared and don't know how to work independently when they get to college. We often hear them say that they never had homework in high school, so when they get to college and have to learn a subject in 8 - 15 weeks, they struggle. Not only do they not know how to handle all the homework, it is coming at them at a much faster pace.
Even deeper than that is if the students don't have to do homework and practice the work, when it comes time for the assessment they struggle. I have heard over and over again how the teacher does math problems on the board and then maybe the kids do some in class with the help of the teacher or classmates; but then when they have to do it on their own they can't. There is no on e there to walk them through it.