HOMEWORK GUIDELINES

Definition
Homework refers to assignments that students are expected to complete
outside of the class period. This does not include long-term projects or
assignments. This includes reading assignments, problem sets, papers, or
studying for tests, quizzes, and other assessments.

Rationale
The Howard County Public School System supports students in maintaining and
extending their learning. The appropriate design, use, and evaluation of
homework assignments, used to inform progress and provide opportunities for
independent practice, are part of achieving that goal. Some courses or
instructors may choose not to assign homework.

Features of Homework
 Purposeful: Students understand why they are completing homework.
Homework is grounded in and expands upon skills and knowledge students
have learned in the classroom.
 Appropriate: Homework should be designed so that all students can
experience success in independent completion of assignments.
Accommodations will be provided as outlined in students’ IEPs and Section
504 Plans.
 Informational: Homework is one tool schools have available to them that
allows parents to be included in their child’s day-to-day school experiences.
 Flexible: Assignments can be successfully completed with resources that are
readily available within timeframes that have flexible deadlines when possible.

Homework will incorporate the following criteria:

All Grades
 Each school year, schools will communicate the school’s homework
procedures with all stakeholders.
 Students, parents, and teachers should communicate about scheduled and
actual homework completion times to ensure realistic expectations for the
completion of assignments.
 Homework will be planned so students see the relationship of their homework
to intended learning targets, see meaning in their assignments, have a clear
understanding of the procedures and due dates, understand how their
homework is evaluated, and understand how they can use feedback on
homework to improve understanding. Teaching staff will ensure that students
understand the purpose of assignments and how they connect to classroom
learning.
 Teachers are legally required to ensure that homework is
accommodated/modified as necessary in accordance with students’ IEPs and
Section 504 Plans. Classwork and homework accommodations must be
provided per students’ IEPs and Section 504 Plans. Students should not be
penalized for failure to complete classwork or homework when
accommodations are not provided. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) best
practices should be used when assigning homework.
 Teachers will provide feedback on homework assignments.
  Students may have more than one teacher. Therefore, teams of teachers will
discuss homework activities and projects in order to follow grade level
homework duration guidelines. Canvas tools will be made available as one
option to help teachers coordinate major projects and exams. Teachers will be
understanding of student circumstances and should tailor homework
assignments with flexible due dates when possible so that students can
complete homework tasks throughout the week based on their individual
schedules.
 Students must be given a non-electronic option for homework completion and
submission. Assignments cannot be due beyond regular school hours or be
required to be submitted electronically. While electronic submission can be
utilized it cannot be required.
 Homework assignments may not be assigned or due on a day schools are
closed due to inclement weather or unplanned closures.
 Homework may not be assigned over the summer for any courses, nor winter
or spring breaks for middle or high school courses.
 A student may make up and receive a recorded grade for homework not
completed due to the observance of a religious holiday. Students returning
from a religious holiday observance will have an equal number of school days
to complete make-up work.
 Reading lists and additional resources will be available during the breaks, as
well as throughout the school year, as a service to students who want an
opportunity to improve reading and mathematics skills. Families will be
provided with access to resources to supplement reading and mathematics
instruction for students.

Grades Pre-K – 2
 Amount of Homework: No more than 20 minutes of homework per night will
be assigned. In Pre-K and Kindergarten there will be no assignments that
must be submitted to the teacher.
 Purpose of Homework: Homework provides practice opportunities for skill
development.
o Families are encouraged to read to or with their children nightly.
o Families are encouraged to practice grade appropriate math facts or
related activities on a nightly basis.
o Teaching staff will be provided with opportunities to meet as teams to
schedule assignments so that students do not regularly have more
than 20 minutes of homework each night

Grades 3 – 5
 Amount of Homework: No more than 30 minutes required per night in grade
3; 40 minutes in grade 4; and 50 minutes in grade 5.
 Purpose of Homework: Homework reflects daily instruction, reinforces
previously taught skills, prepares students for future lessons, and/or promotes
creativity.
o Teaching staff will be provided with opportunities to meet as teams to
schedule assignments so that students do not regularly have more
than 30 minutes of homework required per night in grade 3; 40 minutes
in grade 4; and 50 minutes in grade.
Grades 6 – 8
 Amount of Homework: For the purposes of determining number of hours of
homework per week or day, teachers should include reading of course
material, studying of course material, and practicing skills taught in course
(e.g., rehearsing a musical instrument). Time spent on long-term projects
should also be included when determining number of hours of homework;
however, these projects do not constitute homework for grading purposes.
Each instructor may assign an average of, at most, one hour of homework per
week. Not all classes will require homework. Some classes might require
students to spend more or less time on homework than is typical.
 Purpose of Homework: Homework assignments will reinforce curriculum
through tasks that contribute to learning and understanding. These may
reinforce previously taught skills, prepare students for future lessons, extend
learning, promote creativity, and/or be a reflection on the student’s day at
school.
o Teaching staff will be provided with opportunities to meet as teams to
schedule assignments so that students do not regularly have more
than one hour of homework each week per instructor. It is
recommended that the school principal or designee work with teaching
staff to facilitate this collaboration.

Grades 9 – 12
 Amount of Homework: For the purposes of determining number of hours of
homework per week or day, teachers should include reading of course
material, studying of course material, and practicing skills taught in course
(e.g., rehearsing a musical instrument). Time spent on long-term projects
should also be included when determining number of hours of homework;
however, these projects do not constitute homework for grading purposes.
Each instructor may assign an average of, at most, one and a half hours of
homework per week. Not all classes will require homework. Some classes
might require students to spend more or less time on homework than is
typical.
o An upper limit of seven to fourteen hours of homework a week is
suggested for each high school student. Some classes might require
students to spend more or less time on homework than is typical.
 Purpose of Homework: Homework reflects daily instruction, reinforces
previously taught skills, prepares students for future lessons, and/or promotes
creativity.
 Expectations of Homework: The goals and expectations for homework will
be clear and include opportunities for student input. As appropriate, flexibility
and student choice will be considered in the assignment of homework
duration, rigor, product, and weight in grading. A syllabus is recommended for
distribution at the beginning of every semester outlining each course’s
requirements, including regular assignments, projects, possible due dates,
and procedures for requesting feedback on assignments.