Board of Education Policy Committee Meeting Minutes

September 11, 2007

I. Call to Order: 6:40

II. Approval of Minutes of August 21, 2007: Approved as printed.

III. Discussion of Policies

6154 Homework (Elementary) A presentation of the process was given by Mike Rafferty, Instructional Specialist for Language Arts and Iziar Mikolic Principal of Silvermine Elementary School. The process included a review of the current research, review of other district’s existing homework policies, sharing with principals and teachers to gain feedback. The committee discussed all aspects of the policy and regulation. There was much questioning and discussion regarding assessment and homework assigned on weekends and holidays. The following changes were recommended by the committee: Add an introductory paragraph such as is recommended in sample CABE policy language as the first statement. The 6th bullet should not be bold type Paragraph that begins “when assigned… Insert “students should feel that homework is a form of self-improvement and gain intrinsic satisfaction from it” after teachers. Remove references to research. Move bulleted items regarding the purpose of homework to the Regulations under the heading “I. Purpose” and adjust the lettering of the headings. Regulations: Guidelines followed by A. Guidelines for Teachers

Under Guidelines for Teachers #9-add wording to address the assessment of on time completion of homework. #1. strike “recommended” and insert “required.” Add sentence regarding the use of weekends and holidays for completion of long term assignments.

#2. Add sentence “differentiated instruction and assignments for ELL is provided.”

The policy and regulation language will be updated to reflect the recommendations and sent out the schools for teacher feedback and placed on the website for parent and community feedback.

Meeting adjourned at 8:35

Submitted by Jody Bishop-Pullan

Category: Committee Minutes