As part of a statewide effort, the Wilson Area School Board last night adopted a homework policy that sets guidelines for students, as well as teachers and parents.
The policy, which was adopted on a 7-1 vote and will begin in the 1985-1986 school year, was formulated during the past school year by a 12- member committee that included parents, teachers and administrators and was headed by Thomas Burke, supervisor of curriculum and instruction for the district.
It is part of the district's long-range plan, which is in accordance with the goal of establishing policies related to discipline and attendance, as well as homework, in districts throughout the state.
Superintendent Albert Zarbatany said in his report to the board that the policy is "intended to enhance the educational program of the school district and encourages a reasonable and flexible approach to the use of homework assignments."
According to the policy, "education is a lifelong process which extends beyond the school; it is important that learning occurs in the home and the community. Homework is one means of teaching the necessary skills of independent study and learning outside the school."
The policy continues, "The Wilson Area School District believes that teachers should use homework assignments as a means to enhance the time students spend learning. Homework can improve student understanding of the subject matter, teach the student to assume responsibility for learning, offer opportunity for self-directions, and reinforce, through practice, skills being learned in the classroom."
The committee came up with the following daily timetable for homework for students, which includes each course of study: kindergarten, 5-10 minutes; first grade, 10-15 minutes; second grade, 15-20 minutes; third grade, 20-30 minutes; fourth grade, 30-40 minutes; fifth and sixth grades, 45-60 minutes; seventh and eighth grades, 60-90 minutes, and grades 9-12, 90-120 minutes.
The policy urges teachers to cooperate with one another on the homework assignments so students don't end up with more work than they can handle in their time period. Teachers are also urged to discuss with the students at the beginning of the year the method of evaluating homework and its impact on grades; assign homework on a regular basis and make sure the students clearly understand the assignment; provide the kind of direction that will enable students to do the homework independently; be aware of other demands on the students' time, and use the homework as a learning tool, not as a disciplinary measure.
Guidelines set for studentsinclude establishing a regular time each day to do homework; making effective use of study hall time; setting a limit on extra-curricular activities if they interfere with academic growth, and to feeling free to discuss any learning problems with parents, teachers or other school officials.
The policy asks parents to take an active interest in what their children are doing in school, such as asking for explanations of particular assignments, complimenting good work or when improvement in shown, and making constructive suggestions but avoid severe criticism and undue pressure. They are asked to help their children budget their time in order to set a regular homework schedule; encourage their children to seek additional help when they encounter difficulties; keep in contact with teachers if concerns about their childrens' work habits and academic growth should arise, and see to it that their children attend school regularly.
Board member Jean Vitko questioned Burke about how the homework program will be monitored. Burke responded that there are no set guidelines of what the district's expectations are, and that the district probably will not realize the impact of the program until it's in effect for a year or two.
He suggested that an in-service day scheduled for January would be a good time to review the program.
Board member Robert Fehnel said the board might be "jumping the gun" in approving the plan last night because there is no set rule about talking with parents about the time students actually spend doing homework compared to the timetable that was established.
Fehnel later voted against the homework policy, but would not comment on his reasons. Board member Betty Streeter was absent.
Burke commented that according to a state Educational Quality Assessment survey done in 1983of fifth, eighth and 11th graders, Wilson students scored in the 60th percentile on television watching and in the 35th percentile of time spent on homework. He said he would like to see those figures reversed.
According to Burke, there is more of a problem with students in fifth and eighth grades in the district watching too much television, which detracts from time spent on constructive activities, than those in 11th grade. But he added that there are other diversions for 11th graders that keep them from spending their own time on school studies.
In other business, Zarbatany reported that that in recent national achievement tests for grades 1-9, Wilson students surpassed the national average in all eight categories.
"We are pleased with these results. They continue to show improvement," Zarbatany remarked.
The board also authorized the purchase of a $25,441 school bus from Brightbill Body Works Inc. of Lebanon, Lebanon County. The district provided $25,000 for the purchase in its 1985-1986 budget.