District news
New homework policy: regular homework from grade 4, time targets set
What happened
The committee voted 9-0 on June 15 to adopt a revised homework policy. Homework will be assigned regularly in grades 4-12, aligned across schools, and should grow gradually; guidelines call for 45-60 minutes a night in grade 5 and 70-85 minutes in grade 8.
Why it matters to families
Families should see more consistent homework between schools and grades. Elementary homework will not count on report cards, and principals must send grade-by-grade guidelines by January 2027.
The evidence
The revised IKB policy and handbook guidance list the rules; the June 15 recording shows a 9-0 vote approving the policy as written.
The source
Homework Policy IKB (revised June 2026)See the full record for Newton Public Schools.
Get alerts like this for Newton Public Schools
We read every agenda, packet, and set of minutes, and write up the decisions that affect families — each one linked to the document it came from, the moment it's public.
Get personalized alerts