LAUSD Homework Counts Less Toward Grades

Summer is a season that is enjoyed by many. For some, it is the allure of the cloudless skies and long days; for most students, however, it is the relaxed feeling of being homework-free. However, in some school districts, this feeling might continue throughout the school year.

During the summer, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) changed one of its long-standing policies. As of July, homework assignments can only account for ten percent of students’ grades. The policy was developed by Chief Academic Officer Judy Elliot  in order to ensure that students are graded based upon their knowledge of a subject rather than how well they complete their homework.

While this may allow students more free time to pursue other activities, some critics are concerned that it could also be detrimental to the mindsets of the students and their attitudes towards homework assignments.

“To make homework worth only ten percent of a student’s grade sends a message that it is not important,” Wheelock College Associate Professor Janine Bempechat said in the Los Angeles Times.

Another problem regards the completion of daily assignments. With homework counting as a smaller portion of their overall grade, students who do their work are not being rewarded for their efforts. Likewise,  teachers are also affected by these measures.

“[Teachers] should have the right and freedom to determine their own grading scales to match their teaching styles,” senior Brian Chen said. “While teachers do have a set curriculum, […] they should be able to control their [way of] grading.”

On the other hand, the lowered  percentage can be beneficial.

“Sometimes students rely on the Internet to help them with their homework,”  English Department Chair Sharon Schuman said. “In that case, it’s fair to not make homework a large percentage of the grade. Homework should reinforce skills taught in class.”

Currently, LAUSD and other districts are pushing to keep the amount of homework low. A new policy might restrict amounts of homework on weekends and holidays.

As stated in the  Los Angeles Times, LAUSD is unifying with other school districts in the nation, such as Fontana and Pleasanton in California, as well as districts in New Jersey, to restrict homework quantities.

Alhambra Unified School District is currently in the process of “revisiting” its homework policy to ensure overall equity and fairness as teachers assign work to their students.

“It’s an opportunity to review and practice so that what they’ve learned […] will stay in their memory for more than a day or two,” math teacher Ronnie Woo said.