County school leaders are seeking parental feedback as new homework requirements are rolled out this school year.
“The goal is not just to give more homework and have more students be busy,” Superintendent Francisco Durán said at the Sept. 10 School Board meeting.
“We are trying to close gaps for students,” he said. “It needs to be connected to the learning that’s already taken place during the day … [to] practice, strengthen and reinforce the learning that’s already happening.”
The school system has tried to find the right homework balance for more than a decade. In 2020, high-school students spoke out against what they said were too many after-school assignments.
With the revamped policy now in effect, Durán has already been getting feedback from students. He related an incident recently at Nottingham Elementary School.
“A bunch of students cornered me in the cafeteria, surrounded me and asked me, ‘Why do we have more homework?'” he said.
The superintendent compared it to practicing a musical instrument or a sport in order to become more proficient.
“Grudgingly, probably, to many of them, they all said yes, we probably do need more practice,” Durán said.
The updated homework requirements are among new and revised 2026-27 school policies that went into effect when schools resumed on Aug. 31.
School Board member Bethany Zecher-Sutton said the changes represent a work in progress and will be “developed and refined over time.”
Board member Kathleen Clark said students and their families need to develop routines to “set up the environment at home” for productive use of homework time.
“That is really important for family success,” she said.
“I would encourage parents to reach out if things become challenging,” Clark said. School officials responded that they were fielding communications on the topic and offering support for those in need of it.
State funding for security equipment at elementary schools: Arlington Public Schools received a share of the state government’s $12 million 2026-27 School Security Equipment Grant program.
The Virginia Department of Education and Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services have offered grants annually since 2013.
Funding is used by localities to purchase school security equipment and update buildings to include security vestibules and other features.
Arlington’s share of funding, just under $88,000, will support efforts at Abingdon, Claremont Immersion, Glebe, Hoffman-Boston, Innovation and Tuckahoe elementary schools.
“School security is always top of mind for every superintendent, principal and parent across the commonwealth,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jenna Conway. “We’re pleased to provide them with the resources they need to keep their staff and students safe.”
Requests for up to $250,000 in funding were accepted. State officials received applications from seven regional centers, the Virginia School of the Deaf and Blind and 770 schools from 124 of Virginia’s 132 divisions.
Grants were awarded to 399 schools across 91 districts.
