Research provides strong evidence that, when used appropriately, homework benefits student achievement (Good & Brophy, 2003; Cooper, Robinson, & Patall, 2006). Homework is beneficial and important in a student's overall program; homework is required in MNPS.

Elementary School Students | Middle and High School Students




Elementary School Students

Homework is one of the many learning activities in which students engage; its purposes are to:

  • extend learning, provide for the practice of concepts and skill development in concepts and/or skills initially presented in the classroom and that students can do independently to deepen their knowledge and understanding;

  • provide opportunities for independent work;

  • provide opportunities for enrichment;

  • provide opportunities to engage in a flipped classroom pedagogical approach, where students' preparatory homework activities become vital to effective classroom activities; and,

  • provide opportunities to check for understanding and for possible instructional follow-up when students struggle or have misconceptions.

When Planning and Assigning Homework, Teachers Should:

  • Help students to see how homework is related to classwork and instructional objectives (discuss homework with students);

  • Develop assignments which have meaning and account for individual student differences, needs and abilities;

  • Ensure the homework is challenging and at the right level of difficulty; design homework to maximize the chances that students will complete it. (Students should be able to complete homework assignments independently with relatively high success rates, but they should still find the assignments challenging enough to be interesting.);

  • Ensure the total homework load from all students' teachers is a reasonable one and the amount of homework (assigned two to four times a week) follows the “10 minute rule” (Cooper, 2007). The “10 minute rule” states that all daily homework assignments combined should take about as long to complete as 10 minutes multiplied by the student's grade level. For example, up to 10 minutes per night of homework for pre-k and Kindergarten students, 10 minutes per night in the first grade, 20 minutes for second grade, and an additional 10 minutes per grade level thereafter (e.g., 120 minutes for 12th grade). Additional time should be added appropriately for daily at-home reading for enjoyment and should not include a book report or like assignment;

  • Ensure homework assignments, the procedures for accomplishing them and the due dates are clear;

  • Identify strategies to support students who may not have support at home with homework completion;

  • Be mindful of cultural, ethnic, religious and other celebrations and/or historical events that are important to members of our community;

  • Not assign homework on designated religious holidays when students are absent because of religious observances;

  • Not require homework over breaks from school (i.e., winter break);

  • Should allow students who have been excused from school for religious observances or other lawful absences the opportunity to make up assignments;

  • Partner with families to reinforce learning and broaden educational opportunities for students through parental knowledge of the homework procedures established by the individual teacher;

  • Involve parents in appropriate ways without requiring parents to act as teachers or to police students' homework completion; and,

  • Make homework meaningful to students by ensuring cooperation and communication among the teachers, students and parents or guardians.

Grading and Reporting

Completed homework assignments are to be reviewed by the teacher (or a designee) with feedback provided as appropriate. Homework completion will be reported on report cards using the following four-point scale:

  • 0 - never completes,
  • 1 - rarely completes,
  • 2 - sometimes completes,
  • 3 - frequently completes, and 
  • 4 - always completes.



Middle and High School Students

Homework is one of the many learning activities in which students engage; its purposes are to:

  • extend learning, provide for the practice of concepts and skill development in concepts and/or skills initially presented in the classroom and that students can do independently to deepen their knowledge and understanding;

  • provide opportunities for independent work;

  • provide opportunities for enrichment;

  • provide opportunities to engage in a flipped classroom pedagogical approach (a learning model where students are first exposed to new material outside of the classroom through the use of prepared assignments, readings or other learning materials; the new material is then integrated into an engaging demonstration, application or lesson that allows for more critical thinking and active learning in the classroom), where students' preparatory homework activities become vital to effective classroom activities; and,

  • provide opportunities to check for understanding and for possible instructional follow-up when students struggle or have misconceptions.

When Planning and Assigning Homework, Teachers Should:

  • Help students to see how homework is related to classwork and instructional objectives (discuss homework with students);

  • Develop assignments which have meaning and account for individual student differences, needs and abilities;

  • Ensure the homework is challenging and at the right level of difficulty; design homework to maximize the chances that students will complete it. (Students should be able to complete homework assignments independently with relatively high success rates, but they should still find the assignments challenging enough to be interesting.);

  • Ensure the total homework load from all students' teachers is a reasonable one and the amount of homework (assigned two to four times a week) follows the “10 minute rule” (Cooper, 2007). The “10 minute rule” states that all daily homework assignments combined should take about as long to complete as 10 minutes multiplied by the student's grade level. For example, up to 10 minutes per night of homework for pre-k and Kindergarten students, 10 minutes per night in the first grade, 20 minutes for second grade, and an additional 10 minutes per grade level thereafter (e.g., 120 minutes for 12th grade). Additional time should be added appropriately for daily at-home reading for enjoyment and should not to include a book report or like assignment. (Please note: students taking more rigorous courses [i.e. Advanced Placement/AP] may be assigned more homework);

  • Clearly communicate to parents and students the importance of homework activities as part of flipped classroom activities and lessons, including potential safety-related homework and how students' failure to complete the homework may limit their participation in the related classroom activity. If a student's failure to complete a homework assignment related to a classroom lesson, lab or activity (including a flipped classroom activity) limits them from safe and prepared participation, they may not be allowed to participate.

  • Ensure homework assignments, the procedures for accomplishing them and the due dates are clear;

  • Identify strategies to support students who may not have support at home with homework completion;

  • Be mindful of cultural, ethnic, religious and other celebrations and/or historical events that are important to members of our community;

  • Not assign homework on designated religious holidays when students are absent because of religious observances;

  • Not require homework over breaks from school (i.e., winter break);

  • Should allow students who have been excused from school for religious observances or other lawful absences the opportunity to make up assignments;

  • Partner with families to reinforce learning and broaden educational opportunities for students through parental knowledge of the homework procedures established by the individual teacher;

  • Involve parents in appropriate ways without requiring parents to act as teachers or to police students' homework completion; and,

  • Make homework meaningful to students by ensuring cooperation and communication among the teachers, students and parents or guardians.

Grading and Reporting

  • Completed homework assignments are to be reviewed by the teacher (or a designee) with feedback provided as appropriate.

  • Homework completion will count for 10% of each nine-weeks grade. Providing high quality academic feedback is the district's recommended best practice; however, a numerical grade reflecting the percentage correct is not required for the homework grade. The 10% for homework is based on completion and/or accuracy.