Multi-directional and In-depth: A Practical Research on Optimizing Homework Design Through School-Based Professional Development

In July 2021, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued the Opinions on Further Reducing the Homework Burden and After-school Training Burden of Students in Compulsory Education. Reducing students’ excessive homework burden and improving homework design quality are among the main tasks of this policy. To implement the “Double Reduction” policy, Haining Yangshan Primary School determined to focus on optimizing homework design as the starting point for homework reform. Based on homework design for core competencies, we proposed principles and strategies for optimizing homework design, effectively improving teachers’ homework design quality and cultivating students’ core competencies. This study explores a school-based teacher training model that includes multi-directional and in-depth dimensions, refined tiered homework, integrated large-unit homework, and collaborative research and sharing mechanisms. Through three years of practice, significant results have been achieved in reducing students’ homework burden while improving learning quality.