Recently, there has been much public discussion and debate around the area of homework at the elementary levels. Specifically, new research indicates that there is not a strong connection between homework (especially in the younger grades) and student achievement.
Typically, teachers administer homework to promote the development of a specific skill/concept. Homework is also used as a tool to communicate to parents about our learning in the classroom. Regardless of its purpose, we recognize that the subject of homework is cause for duty in some homes and can be the cause of stress in others. While a balanced approach is sensible, we also recognize that some students have individualized factors that significantly impact work completed at home. As always in cases like this, the important partnership and communication between parents and teachers is critical in supporting our students and their needs.
The above conditions and research have been cause for our teaching teams at Felida to reflect on their current practices. On a larger scale, Vancouver Public Schools (VPS) is reflecting on this research in an effort to make recommendations for revising our district policy on homework. This work is long overdue, as the last update to policy was in 1998, and our learning standards have significantly changed since then. VPS hopes to formalize a revision sometime this school year.
We will keep you up to date on our progress with this reflection and review process. Your child’s teacher will communicate his/her current policy with you, during Curriculum Night. In the meantime, know that our excellent teachers are committed to actively engaging our students in the classroom, to support and promote their development.