Homework plays an important role at BASIS Charter Schools. Since our curriculum is more advanced than traditional public schools, homework is essential for making sure students are understanding key concepts and keeping up with the material taught in class.
Learn more about the positive effects of homework and what to expect when you enroll your child at BASIS Charter Schools.
Why do BASIS Charter Schools assign homework?
Reinforcement of key concepts
BASIS Charter Schools follow a spiraled curriculum that revisits key concepts and ideas with greater depth and complexity as students get older. Homework is a great way to help students master these concepts and prepare for future lessons.
“Through practice and repetition, students will be able to better retain the information,” says Timothy Blickenstaff, Director of BASIS Charter School Curriculum Company. “This lays a strong foundation for students as the class moves on to more complex concepts.”
Time management skills
Time management is an essential skill that will benefit students throughout their education. Homework strengthens time management skills by teaching students how to prioritize tasks, plan ahead for upcoming assignments and meet deadlines. If students master these skills from a young age, they will have an easier time with homework once they reach the more rigorous middle school and high school years.
BASIS provides all students with a daily planner called a Communication Journal to make it easier for students to stay on top of their assignments. “We keep track of all of our homework in our Communication Journal, so it’s really easy to make sure we don’t miss anything,” says Alex R., grade 4 student at BASIS Tucson Primary.
Responsibility and independence
Research published in the Journal of Advanced Academics shows that students’ self-regulation skills and motivation correlates positively with completing homework.
By tackling assignments without direct teacher supervision, students take ownership of their learning. This boosts their confidence and helps them become more engaged in the classroom.
Maya S., grade 6 student at BASIS Ahwatukee, says that independent practice helps her feel more prepared going into exams. “Homework gives us a chance to try things on our own before we have a test or quiz, which can be really helpful.”
Real-time feedback for teachers
At BASIS Charter Schools, teachers use insights from their students’ homework to adjust and improve their lesson plans. If a teacher notices that a significant number of students are struggling with a concept, they can revisit and clarify this topic together in class.
Starting in grade 4, we use a curriculum called SPORK Math to facilitate real-time feedback for teachers. SPORK Math is delivered through tablets. As students complete their homework, they can mark problems they are struggling with. Teachers receive this information in real time and can come to class the next day with a lesson prepared to address those concepts.
“Homework allows me to see exactly which areas students are struggling with,” says Lily Treptow, Math Teacher at BASIS Mesa. “I can immediately reteach those lessons and make sure students are ready for the next unit.”
Preparation for college
A study from IZA – Institute of Labor Economics found that the more time students spend on homework, the more likely they are to attend college. This may be because homework, particularly larger projects like essays or research assignments, prepares students for the demands of college.
At BASIS Charter Schools, we make sure our students are comfortable with independent study and research. Our high school seniors even spend an entire 10 weeks completing an off-campus research project! We want to ensure that all our students have a smooth transition from high school to college.
How much homework do students receive at BASIS Charter Schools?
At every grade level, we use homework to reinforce key concepts taught during the school day, establish good time management, and hone organizational skills. The amount of homework assigned to your student gradually increases each grade level:
- Kindergarten: Approximately 15–30 minutes per night.
- Grades 1–2: Approximately 35–40 minutes per night.
- Grades 3–4: Approximately 45–55 minutes per night.
- Grades 5–7: Approximately 60–90 minutes per night.
- Grades 8–12: Approximately 2–3 hours per night.
We do our best to assign homework that is meaningful and purposeful. “Homework is used to reinforce concepts taught in the classroom,” says Dania Gold, Regional Director of BASIS Charter Schools. “Your student will never come home with something that wasn’t covered at school.”
How do BASIS Charter Schools support students who are not used to completing homework?
We understand that students who are new to BASIS may not have had the same homework expectations at their old school. Each of our schools has a Student Affairs team that provides comprehensive academic support to students. They work with students on organization, time management, note taking, and other skills that drive academic success. Additionally, our teachers hold regular Student Hours before and after school to meet with students who need extra support on an assignments.
Every BASIS Charter School campus offers an after-school program called Late Bird, which is designed to assist parents whose schedules do not align with the end of the school day. Late Bird is an excellent opportunity for students to get ahead on their homework. During Late Bird, we keep designated areas of the school quiet to maximize our students’ study time.
Unlock your child’s potential at BASIS Charter Schools
Are you ready for a school that challenges and inspires your child? At BASIS Charter Schools, we spark a love of learning through our accelerated, STEM-based curriculum. Our students achieve excellent academic outcomes and gain entry into some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities.
Find a BASIS Charter School near you and schedule a tour for a firsthand look at what makes our schools so unique.
