The faculty and administration at Don Soffer Aventura High School recognize regular, purposeful homework as an essential component of the instructional process in school. Homework is an integral factor in fostering the academic achievement of students and in extending school activities into the home and the community. Regular homework provides opportunities for developmental practice, drill, the application of skills already learned, the development of independent study skills, enrichment activities, and self-discipline. Homework should provide reinforcement and extension of class instruction and should serve as a basis for further study and preparation for future class assignments. Considering the major purposes for homework, it is not to be assigned as punishment for students for disciplinary reasons.
The importance of homework in promoting academic excellence and self-discipline cannot be over-emphasized. Students who fail to complete their homework assignments quickly fall behind their peers academically and socially. This may place enormous psychological pressure on the student. Left uncorrected, the student may become frustrated and disinterested in class. This often results in academic failure and truancy.
Students in academic courses at the secondary level should expect homework assignments in each class. These assignments will require approximately two hours of time each day to complete. In general, homework assignments are to be completed for the following day. Occasionally, long-range assignments and/or special projects may be assigned to provide students with the opportunity to develop and refine independent study skills.
While it is understood that parents are not responsible for providing a great deal of assistance to the student in completing homework assignments at the high school level, there is still much that parents can do to promote higher achievement and good study habits. Some suggestions include the following:
- Provide an environment conducive to study.
- Provide continued interest and concern for the student’s successful performance in school.
- Encourage and support the student in the performance of homework assigned.
- Indicate an interest in homework assignments; provide assistance when requested by the student.
- Support the homework policy by ensuring students request assignments from their teachers when absences are anticipated or when prolonged absences (over three days) have occurred.
- Support the reading program by ensuring students read books, other than textbooks, on their own every nine weeks.
The fulfillment of the following personal responsibilities is essential if the student is to perform well at school:
- Completing assigned homework as directed and in the spirit in which it was assigned.
Returning homework to the teacher by the designated time. - Submitting homework assignments which reflect careful attention to detail and quality of work.