OAK FOREST ELEMENTARY 2025-2026

GRADING AND HOMEWORK GUIDELINES 

Grading

At Oak Forest Elementary we believe that the primary purpose for grades is to provide information and feedback to students and parents.  Furthermore, grades should accurately reflect the student’s ability to master the grade level standards.  Teachers assess student learning in a variety of ways.  Grades are based on multiple measures over time such as daily assignments, tests, projects, reports, teacher observation, and participation. 

 

The following is a guideline for what specific grades reflect in terms of student ability:

A- to A+ 90-100 Students have a firm grasp of the concepts that were taught in that subject.

B- to B+ 80-90 The student has the ability to show mastery for the majority of the required concepts taught in that subject.   Additional practice may still be needed for certain skills to be retained. 

C- to C+ 75-79 The student has the ability to show mastery for at least ¾ of the required concepts taught in that subject.  Re-teaching multiple skills is most likely still needed. 

D- to D+ 70-74 The student is still struggling with a significant amount of concepts. Re-teaching multiple skills is still needed.

F-  Below 70 The student is unable to master required concepts taught in that subject.  Students need targeted intervention to support learning of these skills.

 

Progress Reports - Progress reports are sent home the fourth week of each six week reporting period.   Please utilize these reports to discuss your child’s academic strengths and weaknesses with them and create learning goals for areas that need remediation. 

 

Homework

There are three types of homework, extension of skill based practice, interventions and reflection activities of weekly learning.

 

Purpose of Homework:

• Develop initiative, responsibility, and organizational skills.
• Extend learning and provide practice in applying concepts and methods that teachers have presented in the classroom.
• Strengthen concept attainment and skill development and students’ time to reflect learning.
• Strengthen student/parent academic conversations with the parent as a valuable resource for students to synthesize what they are learning at school with their home lives. 

 

Guidelines:

• Homework will be given at the beginning of the week on Monday and due by the end of the week. 
• Students may make up assignments missed due to excused absences.  
• Teachers are not expected to provide assignments in advance for absences of any type.  
• Homework will not be assigned the night before a standardized test, over the weekends or during breaks and holidays.     
• Homework is used as a communication tool of what is being learned in the classroom. Toward that end, teachers will communicate with parents through parent square, email, newsletters, or home folders.   

 

Time Allotments:

Homework times are flexible and up to the discretion of the individual teacher. Below are the recommended times, on average, that students should spend on homework each night:

 

• Grades K: up to 10 minutes academic/extension activities + independent reading 10 minutes
• Grades 1-2: up to 20 minutes academic/extension activities + independent reading 10 minutes
• Grades 3-5: up to 20 minutes academic/extension activities academic/extension activities + independent reading 20 minutes

*If a student has worked constructively for the suggested time frames, but the assignment is not complete, or the child is frustrated, parents are encouraged to write a note to the teacher stating this to address his/her needs.

 

The Teachers’ Role 

• Communicate classroom policies and procedures to students and parents in September.
• Communicate due dates and directions for completing each homework assignment to students.
• Provide homework assignments that are directly related to instructional objectives and consider the differences among students so that it can be completed independently.
• Provide opportunities for students to ask questions and receive clarification of expectations when the assignment is given.
• Review and provide feedback to students. This feedback may include self-evaluation and/or tracking of progress, peer feedback, or teacher comments.

 

The Students’ Role 

• Make sure you understand the work when the teacher assigns it.
• Ask for help when needed.
• Complete the assigned work neatly and hand in assignments on time.
• Review work with parents if possible.

 

The Parents’ Role 

To help children be successful with work at home, parents should:

• Create a place that supports studying. Most children do best in quiet, well-lit environments.
• Set aside a specific time to do homework each day. Family routines, including set homework times, have been linked to higher achievement.
• Make sure children have the supplies they need to complete assignments.
• Be available if children have questions. Parents can support their children by looking over homework and giving suggestions, but should not do the homework for them.
• Let teachers know if homework assignments are too difficult or unclear. 
• Monitor assignment completion through the use of student planners or Parent Student Connect.