No-Excuse Policy
The Dog Ate
My
Homework!!!
Indy Ate My Homework
Who We Are
Graves County
Middle School
Western Kentucky
Student – 720
Faculty – 41
6 Teaching Teams
SREB Connection
Graves County School system has
been working with SREB for two
years implementing best teaching
practices.
Homework Policy
Literacy Policy
No-Excuse Policy
Top Ten Excuses!
10. It 9. My 8. I didn’t 7. My 6. My
flew out mom know we cat printer was
the bus said she had meows not
window. couldn’t homework. too working.
do it. loud.
5. We 4. My 3. My 2. You 1. THE
had to parents’ sister was told DOG ATE MY
take my Survivor asleep on me I HOMEWORK
grandma party my book didn’t
to the was too this have
Dr. long. morning. to do
it.
ACTIVITY #1
Make a list of 3
excuses you
have heard from
your students.
Why We Need a No-Excuse Policy
GCMS 2001-2002 index 69.1
GCMS 2002-2003 index 81.1
Goal for all Kentucky schools is
an index of 100 by 2014.
Novice percent in 2002 – 21.49
Novice percent in 2003 – 15.85
Why We Need a No-Excuse Policy
Our goal is to go
from GOOD to
GREAT!
ACTIVITY #2
Identify problem
areas and
reasons why
your school
would benefit
from a No-
Excuse Policy.
Possible Reasons
High Retention Rate
High ESS Numbers
Low Test Scores
Academic Gaps among demographic
groups
Classroom Climate
How we created a
No-Excuse Policy
SREB initiative
Teacher concern
Curriculum Committee
Teachers
Parents
Administration
Guidance
Classified position
GCMS No-Excuse Policy
Students will complete all
assignments to teacher satisfaction.
Teachers will submit in writing to the
Instructional Leader of the school an
explanation reflecting their
implementation of this policy
including disciplinary consequences
for student’s failure to complete
assignments.
Examples
Test Corrections Classwork
Primarily composed No zeroes
of multiple choice Grade adjustment
and open response End of test to turn
questions in missed
Open Response assignment
must be written to
proficiency
ACTIVITY #3
Identify the type
of assignments
you give.
Describe possible
actions to ensure
student
completion.
Consequences
High Expectations
Parent Contact-assignment book
Make-up assignments on review
game day or activity day
After School Program
Evidence of Success
Significant decrease in Remediation
numbers
Decrease in Retention
Increase in Student Morale
Achievement Excitement on all forms of
assessment
Student Pride
Goals
Continue our path from Good to
GREAT!
Improve No-Excuse Policy by becoming
more specific and using teacher proven
methods.
STOP THE EXCUSES AND RAISE
ACHIEVEMENT!
Presenter Information
Lora Miller – Science
Lmiller@graves.k12.ky.us
Sarah Saylor – Social Studies
ssaylor@graves.k12.ky.us
Graves County Middle School
Mayfield, Kentucky