MiddletownJournal.com

MIDDLETOWN — Middletown board members reviewed a proposed policy amendment Monday night that would eliminate grading on homework assignments, if approved.

Recommended by the district's policy committee, the changes to the homework policy would aim to grade students fairly on their work, said board member Marcia Andrews.

Andrews and fellow board member Katie McNeil serve on the policy committee with Superintendent Steve Price, Assistant Superintendent Evelyn Altherr, Director of Student Services Susan Combs and Director of Human Resources Brenda Long.

"The intention of the policy committee ... is not to de-emphasize homework," Andrews said. "Homework is very important, we want to continue to stress homework as a way of practicing things that have been learned in class."

Under the proposed policy, homework would no longer be graded toward a report card grade and is clearly defined as specific tasks to be completed outside of school hours. The proposal also includes a stipulation that homework not be assigned with the assumption that parents or guardians will provide students with supplemental materials or assistance.

One of the motivations for the policy changes is the idea that some students don't get assistance with their work at home, and that some may be getting too much, Andrews said.

"The removal of the grade is to make sure that we're grading the student for their work, not the work of the parents or failures of the parents," she said, suggesting that long-term projects, quizzes and tests could be used to check student understanding.

The policy also stipulates that homework should be used as a form of feedback for the teacher and student.

Monday's meeting was the first reading of the policy change so no action has been taken. The board could wait two more meetings to act, said Price.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2805 or mgildow@coxohio.com.