Homework should be graded, valued
As a high school teacher and parent, I find it irresponsible for Hawthorn District 73 in Vernon Hills to ban graded homework.
Children who do not excel on tests, yet have stellar work habits, need and deserve this grade. Without consequences, some students will not take homework seriously. Parents will fight with their children to complete quality homework that will not be graded. Students may dismiss the assignment altogether, compromising the entire class when classmates are unprepared for the next lesson.
This policy conveys that education ends at the schoolhouse doors, eliminating student responsibility from their own education. A student's educational success hinges on the parent's involvement; homework is one form of involvement. Homework allows students to practice and learn from trial and error. When homework is reviewed, learning takes place. Why is this not worthy of a grade?
Employers hire high school graduates for their discipline; they follow instructions and complete projects. Why are these skills devalued by Hawthorn schools? Hawthorn's administration claims that homework should not be punitive; zeroes should not impact grades; zeroes do not communicate learning. Since homework is essential for practicing and reinforcing new information, students who disregard this process should receive a consequence. Consequences say to parent and student that homework is vital to learning. Consequences mold our children into responsible learners. Are we prepared to live in a society where adults are afraid to issue consequences? These kids are not college students; they need incentives and consequences to cement vital study habits for high school, college, and the workplace.
Can we assume that all students possess the maturity to make long term decisions? Should they be released from guidance and structure? Students interpret "not graded" as "optional", leaving the most fundamental component in their education up to their discretion. Students may find homework easy and disregard it, yet each lesson builds on the next and choosing not to do the assignment brings frustration when the lesson intensifies. The results are gaps in learning. The zero gives a warning for intervention. Rewards and consequences are needed to guide students by holding them accountable for their decisions.
Hawthorn has a duty to prepare its students for high school. Homework helps students become independent learners with the discipline to study, complete assignments, and turn work in on time. Considering that lost and incomplete homework is a major source of low grades in high school, why ignore this problem now?
Hawthorn's focus is on the final result, not the process that fosters life-long, independent learning.
This policy simply capitulates to student apathy. Tough love means that a consequence today will create a stronger individual tomorrow. The board needs to take a stand for the future of our children.
Parents at the Dec. 10 Board meeting request a verbal response to their questions regarding this issue at the Jan. 14 meeting.
Sharon Harris
Vernon Hills