Anonymous wrote:Homework isn’t equitable.

LOL!

Homework isn’t equitable.

I was never asked about my opinions on homework. 20+ years ago when I first started teaching in a rural district in VA I was not allowed to count anything a child did outside of my supervision for a grade. This was due to the inequality kids face outside of school. Everything from how long their bus ride is, how many other people live in the home, if they even have a home, etc affect a child’s ability to do HW. I’m shocked MCPS hasn’t moved in this direction.

Anonymous wrote:They don’t or barely get homework as it is. This is why kids are behind.

This is not my experience as a parent. My experience is that homework is assigned, but rarely checked. So, it only happens if a parent insists on it.

Anonymous wrote:“We want [teachers] to assign homework that is relevant and additive as opposed to just giving assignments just to give assignments,” [Smondrowski] said, noting that the change doesn’t necessarily mean more or less work will be assigned.

This sounds like a good revision to me.

Agree. And if you want your kids to have more homework you can supplement at home.

I didn't even know there was a requirement for homework 3-5 times per week. Teachers already aren't following the requirement, so I suppose it makes sense to revise the policy.

“We want [teachers] to assign homework that is relevant and additive as opposed to just giving assignments just to give assignments,” [Smondrowski] said, noting that the change doesn’t necessarily mean more or less work will be assigned.

This sounds like a good revision to me.

In the lower elem grades, I think HMWK is helpful for building habits.

They don’t or barely get homework as it is. This is why kids are behind.

Worksheets do not create create thinkers.
Elem kids do not need homework.
I do feel differently about MS and HS

My 2nd grader DD is in a title 1 school has gotten very little homework so far. She is supposed to read for 15 minutes and does a few math problems from the Eureka book. It's been like this since K though I heard other teachers may assign more and her friends at other schools definitely get more. I'm fine with it because she seems to be doing well and picks things up quickly. I'm glad she is not stressed about her homework and we don't ever battle over her doing it as I hear other parents talk about. However, her 2nd grade friends at other schools do spelling work, writing sentences to support a topic and other stuff. I worry a little that my child would be behind if we switched schools. I don't think I will send my child to the cluster middle school. I don't want more of the same. If my DD doesn't get a magnet program, I plan on moving.

I don't see any problem with giving teachers autonomy to decide if homework is helpful; they're professionals and I respect their judgment on that rather than having a policy that applies across the board.

I also think a policy of homework 3-5 times per week starting in kindergarten both doesn't reflect what's actually happening (kids that age aren't getting homework) and is silly. First graders doing home work isn't fighting learning loss.

I agree that academic rigor is associated with more, not less, homework, to reinforce critical thinking. However, having put had two kids go through elementary and middle school in different MCPS school clusters, I have to point out that the homework is usually quite dumb.

It would be better if homework was more intelligent, and a little more targeted to students' levels. I gave one of my kids a pass in elementary for homework, because it was all way below her level, and thus did not serve its purpose. For my other kid with learning disabilities, the homework suited perfectly, and I sat down with him to make sure he did it

It is open for public comment now, through April 24th.

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy-public-comment

It looks like input was included from students, teachers, and other stakeholders. Were any parents consulted? I don't see how this is going to solve the problems we already have with all the learning loss. MCPS continues to steer in the wrong direction.

https://moco360.media/2024/03/26/mcps-elementary-middle-school-students-could-see-less-homework-under-proposed-policy-update/