Brief Overview of Presentation This workshop looks at why and how - PDF document

Brief Overview of Presentation This workshop looks at why and how Developing a whole school one school is developing a homework homework policy policy as part of the SDP process and encourages workshop participants to reflect on current practice in their own Diane Birnie setting. Issues considered include Lucan Community College rationale, piloting initiatives, getting staff by-in, involving educational partners, SDPI Summer School managing implementation, evaluation. August 2008 Rationale Parent survey • SDP groups decision to focus on • Survey of parents showed that parents were teaching/learning unsure how to help their children to produce • Initial homework policy 1998 a good standard of homework and that they – Not well known or implemented were not sure if homework was been – Provided a good starting point corrected sufficiently. – Homework club already operational • Results presented to staff - prioritised • Survey of teachers, students, parents homework policy as an issue for Planning Committee Getting started Involving teachers • Previous policy/practice • Teachers worked on these issues in groups • Template for homework What’s working policy in SDP folder – Homework timetable well? – Monitoring homework • Adapt to our school – Focus on step by step plan • Understanding of skills, What could – Rewards/sanctions attitudes and habits we want be improved? – Roles and responsibilities students to have when doing • Involved 1st year management team homework and year head committee 1

Involving parents Involving students • Discuss attitude to homework • Purpose of homework • Meet Parents Association • Student responsibility – Parents need reassurance re helping with • What makes good homework? homework • What if you need help? – General communication issues - e.g. choosing subjects • Keep parents informed - meetings, newsletter Implementation Review & Evaluation • Copy of Lucan Community College’s • Initial review in Dec 2004 homework policy – After initial implementation of homework policy cycle • 1st year initially • Since then • 6 step plan – Minor reviews by Planning Committee • Roles – Need for larger review - survey • Show some slides prepared for staff planning • Constant support in initial phases - SDP session Jan 2005 committee, year head, management Development Review Design • Keep it fresh! To foster a consistent • Extend to 2nd and 3rd year approach to the completion of homework and encourage • Extend to senior cycle students to take responsibility for homework – Self-directed learning thereby reinforcing the learning that has taken place – VARK approach in the classroom. Evaluate Implement First year homework policy 2

Challenges Benefits of homework policy • Delay of rolling out policy across the years • Personnel involved • Greater awareness of value of purpose and • Involvement of partners in process √ – Communication value of homework - students, teachers, – Variety of implementation parents • Keeping it high profile • More involvement of students – New staff and students – Ask how long should that take – Complacency – Improved understanding of their role re correcting – Management role and learning from homework • Promote implementation • More common approaches to homework across the school – Regular update at staff meetings – Subject department agenda – Intercom announcements – Letters/newsletters to parents In summary • Positive experience for our school • Start of an on-going process • By-in from all partners is vital • Role definition - especially year head • Acknowledgements: management, staff, students, parents of Lucan Community College 3