[CaptainHaplo]

I was always graded on my homework. Then again, I went to a private school. The way I was graded and the way my son in school now is appears to be the same. Tests couns 2x - quizzes 1x and homework .5x - so if he gets 90 on a test, 85 on a quiz and screwed up his homework and got a 75 - his average is 85.3 - the homework grade hurt - but not tremendously. Its a minor part of the grade only.

My son is in elementary school (public) and his work is graded. The key is to reinforce the lesson - and if they just scribble a bunch of answers then how does the teacher know they actually DID anything?

I help him with his homework daily - and I check it for correctness. Why? Because if he doesnt get something right, I can help show him why and how to do it right. I don't correct every mistake - but try to help reinforce what he has been taught to do. This is part of being a parent - its NOT the school's job to educate my children - its their JOB to be PART of educating my children. Its MY job to be a part of that as well.

I have seen times when his answer was wrong - but he showed HOW he got the answer (Math) and his effort was given half credit. I am fine with that - it showed him that his effort was nice - but NOT satisfactory. It helped me to show him afterwards where he went wrong. (For him its often a lack of focus and not paying attention.)

By doing it this way, his teacher is able to see what he understands, what he doesnt, what he needs help with and what he can do on his own. It also helps ME to work with him on addressing those things that he has not yet grasped.

His reading comprehension is another area they are graded on. Often he has a book or something to read, and then has to answer questions about it. This is something he struggles with right now - and its because he skims instead of really slows down and reads with focus. Because he has specific questions with correct answers to work on afterwards, it helps us (the teacher and I) to gauge how much progress he is making, and if he applied true effort.

I would not be upset by this - instead take it as an opportunity to become more involved in your kids schooling. I know that helping with homework is time consuming and a pain - god I dread when my daughter is getting the same homework my son is now and he is getting slammed with it as well. After a long day of work its not fun - but its worth it. Not only are you helping create their foundation for success - its actually good bonding time with them as well. One day my kids will look back and remember all the times Dad helped with homework, or read them a goodnight story, or whatever, and so will I. They will be good memories, regardless of how tired I may be in the evenings now. They are our kids, how can we not go that extra mile?

*** Note - in no way is this saying your not already ***