Homework in District 401 Schools
District 401's homework rules and procedures are governed by Section 6:290 of the Board of Education's District Policy Manual.
As stated in this policy, homework is part of the District's instructional program and has the overarching goal of increasing student achievement.
Homework is assigned to further a student's educational development and is an application or adaptation of a classroom experience.
It is District policy that homework shall:
- Be used to reinforce and apply previously covered concepts, principles and skills
- Not be assigned for disciplinary purposes
- Serve as a communication link between the school and parents/guardians
- Encourage independent thought, self-direction and self-discipline
- Be of appropriate frequency and length, and not become excessive, according to the teacher's best professional judgment
In addition, individual schools have supplemented this policy with statements of purpose and procedure that build upon the District's overall vision concerning the role of homework. This supplemental information is located below.
District 401 is committed to the education of the whole child and recognizes that students are active in extracurricular activities outside of school.
We believe that homework practices implemented in classrooms should both recognize the value of homework and maintain a developmentally appropriate balance between homework and other life activities.
As such, we agree that homework assignments for students in grades K-5 should:
- Purposefully reinforce previously covered concepts aligned with priority standards.
- Serve as a communication tool between the school and parents/guardians.
- Encourage independent thought, self-direction, and self-discipline.
- Be of appropriate frequency and length, and not become excessive.
- Be personalized to meet the needs of individual students.
- Be aligned with current research on best practice as well as school and District policies.
We agree that homework should be used only as a learning tool. Homework may not be used for punishment, and students may not lose privileges for incomplete homework assignments.
Additionally, homework will not be included in course grades. Any homework-related behaviors will be reported and shared with parents via the "Work Habits" portion of a student’s report card. Work Habits include expectations for student behavior and are aligned to schoolwide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
Parents are encouraged to contact their child's teacher for guidance on specific, targeted skills that can be practiced and reinforced at home.
Additional homework, practice and application resources aligned to student learning can also be found on all of our digital curriculum platforms. For additional information on accessing these resources from home, please see our web page titled Accessing Curriculum Links from Home.
When Elm Middle School teachers assign homework, they do so to provide students with the necessary practice to reinforce concepts that were introduced in class. Homework helps build basic skills and enriches the regular classroom program.
Elm students are expected to complete and turn in all homework assignments on time.
Developing good study habits is a crucial part of achieving academic success. In the case of homework this means getting into the habit of completing assignments in a timely manner, free of last-minute stress.
In order to keep up with homework, we encourage students and parents to set up regular hours at home for students to complete their work, and then to turn in their work faithfully as it is due.
Keeping Track of Missed Assignments
It is the student's responsibility to go to teachers and get assignments that may be missed due to an absence from school.
If a student is too ill to email teachers on their own, we recommend the student get healthy before worrying about completing make-up work.
Time Allowed for Making Up Assignments
In the case of excused absences, our homework policy gives students a reasonable amount of time before they are expected to complete the work they've missed. This means:
- For each day spent at home due to an excused absence, one day is given to make up and turn in the work.
- For example, if a student is out for three days, the student has three days to make up any missed assignments.
Picking Up Books for Sick Students
Parents may pick up books from their child's locker between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Homework Online
Student homework assignments are available online after 4 p.m. on a daily basis.
Homework is one of several components that determine the grades of Elmwood Park High School students. Besides homework, these components include but are not limited to:
- Tests/quizzes
- Projects/presentations
- Participation
EPHS students are expected to complete and turn in all homework assignments on time. We encourage students and parents to set up regular hours at home during which students can focus on their work.
Keeping Track of Missed Assignments
It is always the responsibility of the student to get all assignments missed due to an excused tardy or absence from class.
The student must see the teacher during the same school day when tardy to class and during the first school day back from an absence.
Make-up work will be assigned during a time determined by the teacher. This time will be communicated to the student — e.g., before/after school or during class time if possible.
It is the student's responsibility to schedule, with the teacher, the taking of tests/quizzes missed due to an excused tardy or absence.
Making Up Missed Assignments
Students are permitted to make up missed assignments depending on the reason for their absence or tardiness.
- Excused — Students who are excused absent or tardy will be allowed to make up work.
- Unexcused — Students who are unexcused absent or tardy will not be allowed to make up daily work or assignments missed.
- Suspended — Students who are suspended will be allowed to make up missed daily work and assignments, and they will receive credit for all work assigned during a suspension once it is turned in to the teacher. A student shall be allowed the number of days suspended to make up the work. It is the student's responsibility to contact each of his or her teachers regarding missed work.