Dear CUSD Stakeholders,

In the spring of 2011, the Coronado community had an opportunity to view the movie “Race To Nowhere”, whose premise was that current amounts and types of homework were overloading students. Afterwards, the subject of homework and its purpose in our schools was discussed. As a result of these discussions, Superintendent Felix brought an action item before the board proposing no homework on weekends and holidays. The board received a great deal of input from parents in the community about this proposal. After much discussion, the board rejected the no homework proposal, opting to revise existing district policy.

In May, 2011, The Board voted to revise Board Policy 6154 (Homework Policy), approved a revised structure and template of Administrative Regulation 6154, and directed the Superintendent to create an ad hoc committee to continue revisions, with recommendations to be brought to the Board for adoption at or before the regular May 2012 Board Meeting. Board direction included adding sections to the policy to outline specific guidelines for homework at the elementary, middle and high school levels, as well as define the responsibilities for homework of students, parents, teachers and administrators.

Vicki Abeles, the creator of “Race To Nowhere”, reached out to Superintendent Felix with support for this undertaking and shared processes undertaken by other districts struggling to find balance with homework, and their successful results. Using this information as a resource and base for going forward, a committee consisting of students, teachers, parents and administrators representing Elementary, Middle and High school levels began meeting in in September of 2011 to review, research, discuss, debate and draft recommendations for appropriate guidelines and responsibilities on the subject of homework in our District. The product of this work came before the Board for a first reading at the April 26 board meeting. In response to boar member questions and concerns, additional language was added to address the use of technology and the role of homework assessment.

Students, teachers, parents and administrators volunteered tremendous time and effort over six months to create the policy before you. Communication, personal responsibility and transparency underlie every aspect of the resulting recommendations. The revised policy defines the purpose of homework, outlines expectations for creating, completing, assessing and monitoring homework, and spells out the responsibilities each party has in the homework process. The policy also reflects a teacher’s ability not to assign homework.
The policy is not perfect, it will not mollify outliers, nor will it satisfy everyone. The policy signifies a shift in our district and in our schools that homework will no longer be automatically assigned, but that, when done so, it will be “meaningful, purposeful and appropriate”.

Use following link to access the policy appearing for approval May 24, 2012 (Policy will also appear in the May 24, 2012 board meeting agenda)
 http://www.edline.net/pages/Coronado_USD/News/Homework_Policy_Draft

Please forward questions and comments to committee chairs:
Brenda Kracht at bkracht@coronado.k12.ca.us
Dawn Ovrom at dovrom@coronado.k12.ca.us

Superintendent Felix wishes to thank the members of the committee for the dedication, honesty and tenacity they exhibited during this process.


For more information about the homework committee schedule, agendas, research and membership, click on the 'Homework Committee' folder in the contents area of the District website, or use the following link:

http://www.edline.net/pages/Coronado_USD/Homework_Committee