In response to twoin’s post… while I don’t agree with allowing students to repeatedly take tests, what is the point for taking points off for the other things?
My Catholic school was the same way. I got points off for my poor handwriting and other stupid things. I once got a zero on my homework because I was doing it during recess (we’ll ignore the fact that I did homework because I was relentlessly bullied and it was a way to stay away from the bullies). I’ve never understood taking points off for things like that.
And no, it didn’t encourage me to do better. It encouraged me to hate my school…
I don’t have a problem with homework, but like many others have said, I have a problem with busy work. If you can demonstrate that you know your times tables (for example) then why make those kids do worksheets with 100 multiplication drills on them? Furthermore, forcing us to do “creative” components to our work made me not want to do them at all. I am not a creative person and it was the most dreaded part of any assignment. Yet, I recognize that some people are creative and they should have the option to show that creativity in assignments.