Homework that you have to do, but get no grade.

Ok. I need some advice from other educators, or parents that may have experienced what I will be discussing.

At my daughters' school the teachers do not grade homework. They assign it and supposedly it is reviewed, however no value toward a final grade is given. This policy began last year without any info sent home with an explanation. Around October my girls came home complaining that it was stupid to do the homework if their teachers were not going to grade it. They begrudgingly continued to do their homework as any child that did not complete the homework was assigned a working lunch, away from the class to complete the homework. At open house I learned that this will continue into the new school year and I am beyond frustrated. This policy transformed motivated students into reluctant learners who think their work does not matter.

So, I've read the research about making homework worthwhile. From everything that I have read, this policy is direct opposite of worthwhile homework. Does anyone have anything positive about this policy? Personally, I think it is terrible and something that I would never ask of my own students because they're time and effort is valuable.

A few more points:

If the homework isn't graded, and is just "participation" as I was told at open house, why attach a behavior consequence if a child does not complete the homework?

If homework is reviewed in class, one would assume that it is reviewed at the beginning of class (or at least the beginning of a lesson). If that is the case, one would assume that homework is reviewed before lunch (it's elementary, they aren't switching classes). So if homework is reviewed before lunch, if a child does not complete his or her homework, wouldn't that be the time to complete it? During review? If it's just "participation".

The homework is supposed to take 30 minutes to complete. Lunch is 25 minutes. Would this not impact the quality of the work?

I've really tried to let this go and accept that it what it is. As an educator, I was so excited to start the year with my students. As a parent, this homework policy has really bummed me out.

Submitted August 24, 2019 at 08:56PM by itsalabasterjones https://ift.tt/2MCs6lz