Feedback on results of a survey about homework for parents and teachers at CCPS, plus a plan for curriculum reform.

1. Homework for the 21stHomework for the 21st
CenturyCentury

3. Where have we comeWhere have we come
from?from?

4. 6 years ago
spelling lists
text books and worksheets
topic talks
paper-based
hand out Monday
collect on Friday

5. Where are we Now?Where are we Now?

6. We’ve kept a lot...
Worksheets
topic talks
Paper-based work

7. We’ve added...
Computer based
work
Choice
Creative, open
ended tasks

8. New time limits
Overnight
Monday-Friday
Monday-Monday
2 Weeks
1 Month

9. But is it working?But is it working?

10. Time spent on homework
Most CCPS children are spending between 5 and 30 minutes on
homework each day.

11. Time Spent on homework
Parents seem generally satisfied with this:

12. It doesn’t suit everyIt doesn’t suit every
family...family...

13. “Receiving homework on a Monday to be handed in Friday is too
hard. Our family needs time on the weekend to catch up with
homework.”

14. “The homework is having a notable impact on our family life in
that as both my husband and I work, the majority of the
homework needs to be completed on the weekend which is
traditionally family time. In our situation, our daughter attends
before and after school care on certain days and.. they do not
have adequate computer resources or staff to assist the children
should they need help with homework...Due to work and other
commitments (swimming and piano) it is often after 7.30 pm
before we can commence homework. This is too late for an 8
year old.”

15. TYPE OF HOMEWORKTYPE OF HOMEWORK

16. Most parents like computer
based homework
“Homework done on the computer is the most motivating
such as mathletics, spelling city and slide shows.”
“Computer based work (ie mathletics) often seems more
exciting for the children. my daughter loves any homework
that is craft related and also loves using powerpoint for her
presentations”

17. a few weren’t so positive,
“Can understand spelling, but stupid powerpoints seem
useless.”
“STOP the speeches, these should be prepared in class not
turned into parent involved Channel 9 worthy powerpoint
presentations”
“I don't think mathletics is good as a stand alone
assignment.”
“I dislike the Spelling City computer program.”

18. Access was also an issue
“Our daughter attends before and after school care on certain
days and.. they do not have adequate computer resources or
staff to assist the children should they need help with
homework.”

19. The Y2 Matrix style Homework
Is popular
“Year 2 homework (2012) because choice, creative and flexible
with respect to daily time-allotment.”
“Where they can choose to complete certain tasks from a range
of tasks. Where they can be a little more creative themselves
rather than just completing worksheets.”

20. The Y2 matrix style homework
is popular,
• “The homework being set for 2/3E is a fabulous model, as it
was in Yr 2! The children have flexbility to choose the tasks
they would like to complete and understand that there is a 4
week window in which to complete it.”
• “I think the assignment 'scenario' in year 2 is great. I wrote
my child does 5-10min which is an avge. Sometimes we do
20mins and sometimes nothing. I love the flexiblity of this
year’s homework program.”

21. but some found it hard to
manage.
“For my family the best type of homework is a reader followed
by one other item that is the same every day for a week (for
example a maths sheet or spelling lists). It needs to be
repetitive and easy to pick up and do for my kids to get
through it. While the computer related tasks are great if I
don't stand over my kids they find their way something
different and don't finish the task! The project type tasks are
good for the kids but one a term would be great.”

22. Some prefer the Y3 model.
“Weekly homework in Y3 vs style given in Y2 (5 weeks at once)
she likes the spelling lists gives her a sense of achievement.
She likes the bonus /optional activities on the weekly sheet.
She enjoys doing the presentations - it is great she know
when she is scheduled to give them and the topics. This way
she can get it finished on the weekend.”

23. Some want traditional homework,
“Bring back the old style sheets they would get for
homework!!”
“Drop projects. Focus on basic maths practise, reading and
keeping a daily journal”
“Simple maths revision. Writing a few sentences or reading”
“Specific homework sheets to complete. Not choose this or
that. Work that is consistent and revised school work”

24. others Are against homework.
“Please let my children be free after school to play, be creative,
leave behind the classroom. Let them value free time or
activities without the spectre of homework hanging over
them.”
“My belief is that homework is useless, and it's just another
thing for stressed-out parents to try to manage. It's also
outsourcing the work that teachers should be doing.”

25. Others are against homework
“Research shows that homework is not necessary at primary
school and at its worst, stresses children when they need
time to themselves. I'm all for a ban on homework.”
“It's just another stress factor for parents. I'm a single mother
working full-time. There's no way I can supervise homework
on top of everything else. Plus I honestly don't believe it
makes that much difference.”

26. Many found the Monday -Friday model
difficult
• “Receiving homework on a Monday to be handed in Friday
is too hard. Our family needs time on the weekend to catch
up with homework.”
• “ I found the year X homework a struggle as you got it on the
Monday and had to hand it in on the Friday. My children go
to after school care three days and then have an activity on
the other day and it is a struggle.”

27. Many found the Monday -Friday model
difficult
• “Allow for homework to be done on weekends if needed and
handed in on a Monday.”
• “At the moment, homework sheet is only available Monday
to Friday. My child likes to complete her homework, but we
have many extracurricular activities, so that it would be
helpful if she could also work on the homework on weekend
days.”

28. The Value of Homework -The Value of Homework -
Parent ViewsParent Views

29. Parents value homework
for:
Teaching valuable habits and routines that will be needed in
high school.
Revision of core curriculum - without which their children
may fall behind.
Opportunity to find areas their children need help with
To find out what is being taught at school

30. Teacher SurveysTeacher Surveys

31. The purpose of homework
revision and reinforce concepts
teach time management skills
to show parents what students are learning
complete unfinished work
to meet parental expectations

32. Most valuable forms of homework
Topic talks
Enrichment/Blooms/Choice/Creative
Research
Spelling
Basic number work

33. Homework preparation time

34. Homework publishing time

35. Homework distribution time

36. Homework marking time
(in-class)

37. Homework marking time
(out of hours)

38. Cost Vs Benefits

39. Almost every teacher said
‘NO”
• “No I believe this time could be better spent creating and delivering quality
lesson”
• “Probably not, but If it helps a student to better understand a concept or how to
spell a word I am happy.”
• “No, although feedback from students who have gone on to high school indicate
that the homework received in Stage 3 prepared them for high school
homework.”
• “Yes, providing the homework is targeted to learning outcomes. I absolutely
disagree with 'the giving bookwork to finish at home' approach. Chn who can't
finish in lesson time need support from a teacher in class.”

40. Where to from here?Where to from here?

41. Review the research
Does homework make a
difference?
Does homework teach
organisational skills?
What are the most effective
homework practices?

42. Consider the needs of C21
learners
What skills do our students
need to learn?
Does our homework model
suit the needs of C21
families?

43. Consider the costs and
benefits
How can we plan an
effective homework
program that is resource
friendly?
Is the outcome worth the
time spent administering
the program?
Resources in
Outcomes

44. This Term...
Establish a common purpose and vision for our homework
Define school criteria for what makes a good homework
program
Examine our current programs and identify adjustments we
can make

45. Next Term...
Share our purpose and vision with our community
Trial approaches that fit with our school definition of good
homework.
Reflect and Review

46. Fourth Term...
Determine the practices that will become embedded in our
homework programs
Write a new homework policy
Share our policy with the community
Plan for the long term - how can effective homework
practices be maintained over the coming years.