Homework Policy

Task force was set up for the following purposes:

• To study the existing homework policy and practices, and surface critical issues that need to be addressed;

• To identify and consolidate best practices among teaching staff in the management of homework load; and

• To propose a revised policy guidelines on homework in the school

Homework Considerations

• Why is it a necessity?

• Guiding Principles

• Existing Policy

• Policies for Holidays/Long Weekends

• Considerations for P5 & P6 students

• How can the different subjects coordinate and ensure an appropriate homework load?

What is homework?

• Homework refers to any learning activity that students are required to do by the school outside of curriculum time.

• Homework is an important part of our students’ holistic development in becoming life-long learners.

Why is homework a necessity?

Effective use of homework enables students to:

• retain knowledge better ;

• be more skillful in application of skills and concepts ;

• deepen their conceptual understanding ;

• develop good study habits and skills, such as time management, self-evaluation and self direction ;and

• take greater ownership and responsibility for independent learning.

Judicious use of homework allows teachers to:

• consolidate learning that has taken place in class ;

• check for students’ understanding and progress, so as to provide timely feedback, intervention and support ; and

• review effectiveness of lesson.

Homework provides parents with:

• timely information on the learning progress of their children; and

• opportunity to be involved in their children’s learning.

Guiding Principles

1. Level of Difficulty
2. Quality of Homework
3. Amount of Homework/Time Spent
4. Tracking
5. Degree of Flexibility

1. Level of Difficulty

• Homework should be appropriate to students’ abilities and be within their developmental readiness.

• As such, there would be differentiated homework given to students of different abilities.

2. Quality of homework

• Homework must be well-thought through and quality in nature.
  A well-designed homework should:

• be purposeful and encourage critical thinking;

• be worth doing and related to class teaching;

• be explicit and clearly defined so that students clearly understand what is required of them; and

• involve the use of only material resources that are known to be readily available to students;

3. Amount of Homework/ Time Spent

• The specific amount of homework are generally based on student needs.

• The quantity of homework assigned take into consideration the following:
  a. Adequate time for family bonding, social activities, personal interests and rest;
  b. In the classrooms, smart watches can be used only to tell time during non-assessment or examination period. All smart devices will be held by the teacher during assessments and examinations.
  c. Coordination of assigning homework;
  d. Differentiation by academic courses or ability level.

• Time spent on homework varies from level to level.

• There is flexibility for EMS teachers to give more than the norm if coordination is done among the class subject teachers.

• For non-examinable subjects (HE, SS, etc), subject teachers will give students at least one week to complete their work

4. Tracking of homework

• Use of homework board - All assignments are written on the board (in the homework column), specified with the issued and due date.

5. Degree of Flexibility

• Teachers will set realistic deadline for homework given.

• If students are not able to complete the homework by the due date due to good reason, they should inform the teachers.

• There will be no fixed day for composition for EL and MT. If composition homework is given, teachers will not give additional homework for EL/MT. Students must practice finishing a piece of composition in one sitting.

Homework during festive period

• No homework should be given during festive holidays during term time, e.g. Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Hari Raya Puasa.

Homework during examination period

• Teachers will be mindful not to overload students with homework and practice papers in the week before the examinations.

• Students are to use the time to revise.

Homework during school term holidays

• Students will be given some homework assignments for revision purposes

Consequences if students do not complete and/or submit homework
Teachers will:

• Write in students’ handbook and get parents to acknowledge.

• Call parents after three occasions of not submitting/ completing homework.

• For errant cases, teachers will take necessary actions to get students to stay behind for detention during recess or after school. Parents will be duly informed.

• or extreme cases, teachers to make referrals to the discipline master.

ROLE OF PARENTS

Parents can consider doing the following to support their children in their learning

• Check the student’s handbook daily to view the homework assignments for the day.

• Reinforce expectations for the quality of work and monitor their children’s homework.

• Ensure that all assignments are completed by the due date.

• Ensure that their children’s bags are packed according to the timetable

• Guide their children to set aside a regular study time and establish good study habits.

• Consult the teachers on their children’s progress.

ROLE OF STUDENTS

Students should:

• Write down the homework assignments in the student’s handbook, listing the subjects and due dates.

• Get the homework and make sure that they understand what needs to be done for all the given homework assignments.

• Maintain the highest quality work, complete all homework assignments accurately and to turn them in by the due date.

• Make necessary corrections on the returned homework and reflect on the teacher's evaluation of homework assignments.

• Be responsible for getting the homework assignments if they are absent from school.

• Organise their textbooks, workbooks, worksheets and files systematically.