St. Simon Parish School
Homework Survey
Analysis and Action Plan
Presentation to
St. Simon Parish School
School Community Council Meeting
March 12, 2014
© 2014 St. Simon Parish School
Majority of Students Have No
Problems Completing Homework
Math
Source: SSPS Student Homework Survey (T2, 2014)
Majority of Students Have No
Problems Completing Homework
Science
Source: SSPS Student Homework Survey (T2, 2014)
Majority of Students Have No
Problems Completing Homework
Social Studies
Source: SSPS Student Homework Survey (T2, 2014)
Majority of Students Have No
Problems Completing Homework
Religion
Source: SSPS Student Homework Survey (T2, 2014)
Majority of Students Have No
Problems Completing Homework
Spanish
Source: SSPS Student Homework Survey (T2, 2014)
Majority of Students Have No
Problems Completing Homework
Language Arts
Source: SSPS Student Homework Survey (T2, 2014)
Key Takeaways from
Homework Survey (data/narrative)
 Concerns about level of homework in 8th grade
language arts
 Spanish homework assignments are sometimes unclear
 Questions about need for homework in PE
 Homework website is confusing/not helpful
 Workload and due dates not balanced between subjects
 Students have difficulty managing their time and
multiple assignments
Potential Factors Contributing to
Homework Issues (in addition…)
 Nature of the present block schedule (creates
‘lumpiness’ in assignments)
 “Due date” focus of homework (i.e., well if it’s not due
tomorrow, I will wait until the night before)
 Developmental readiness of students to manage the
timelines of due dates
 In ability to visualize assignments for multiple subjects
in near-term (week) and longer-term (multiple weeks)
 Others?
Block Schedule
 Instituted to help prepare for typical high school
schedule, but:
 Not all high schools use block schedule
 High schools use it to “simulate college environment”; may
not be appropriate for middle school students
 Class that meets twice a week may assign 2 days worth of
homework each class period to stay on pace
 Students wait until the night before next class period to
start the homework
“Due Date” Focus of Homework
 Homework web site primarily lists due dates for
assignments
 Students (and parents) tend to focus on due date when
assessing the level of homework (i.e., if nothing is due
the next morning, there is no homework that evening)
 Middle school students may need more direct
instruction to study even if no assignment is due
Lack of visibility to see workload
conflicts with multiple subjects
 Despite recent changes, the web site homework section
can be confusing
 Difficult to see overall workload and overlap between
subjects
 Testing calendars do not encompass all assignments
Alternative Approach to Homework Site Layout
Grade XX, Homeroom XX
Mon 3/17
Language
Arts
•
•
•
Religion
Spelling Unit
24 REVIEW
Grammar
Diagnostics
Romeo and
Juliet Group
Work
Math
Wed 3/19
Thur 3/20
Fri 3/21
• Romeo and
Juliet Cover for
Diaries
• Romeo and
Juliet Group
Work Script 36
scripts or 1
script per
group)
• Vocab 24 Wkbk
• Grammar (EX 1)
• Romeo and
Juliet Group
Work
• Vocab 23/24
Quiz
• Grammar (TBA)
• Romeo and
Juliet Group
Work
• In class time for
Romeo and
Juliet write up
• Romeo and
Juliet Diaries
• Romeo and
Juliet Group
Work
• Download and
read “Discerning
Between Good
and Evil”
• Journal
Unit 3, Session 11
test
Pedigree
Worksheet
Science
Social
Studies
Tue 3/18
6.3 RR
• Test for Ch 18
• Ch 18 ISN
(Preview,
Notes, and
Processing)
Complete the Unit
Test Review Sheet
(Unit 3 Lesson 23)
Complete Project
U3 L19 (Two step
equations)
HW Unit 3 Lesson
22
Past Efforts Related to Homework
 Testing calendars
 Introduction of level meetings
 Professional development re: homework and
purposefulness
 Website improvements/streamlining
 Policy changes: teachers must make homework updates
to website prior to leaving for the day
Action Plan
 Monitor policies already in place
 Continue professional development of personnel and
personnel action
 Evaluate present middle school block schedule
 Explore learning management systems (e.g., Schoology,
Canvas, Haiku, Moodle,...) to improve calendar, class
pages, distribution and collection of homework, etc.
 Review middle school homework policy with teachers in
T3 and re-assess/make improvements for start of 20142015 school year
Q&A
© 2014 St. Simon Parish School