Well...this is a different perspective, but in elementary school, I believe that the teacher has a responsibility regarding homework.
My DS9's previous bilingual school was very organized about homework. The teachers dictated the assignments from the board and the kids had to write them in a book. In the morning, the teacher said "Okay, hand your homework in now" and everyone would turn it in. As a class ended (eg maths), the teacher would tell the kids to put homework assignments for that class in their backpacks. This is a sign of a school that wants to ensure that the kids get the work done.
The parents were responsible for making sure that the work got done and that it got put back into the backpack.
DS9's current school is disorganized about homework and the results are predictable and mirror what you've described.
One problem with the new school is that they hand out assignments at random. So something gets handed out on Tuesday, due on Monday. Something else gets handed out on Thursday, due on the 10th, etc. The other school was predictable: French homework every night, and due the next day. English homework handed out Monday and due on Friday. This system helped A LOT because we weren't constantly asking if something was due the next day.
I wrote all this to say: don't think the problem is due solely to your daughter's oversight! Kids get distracted very easily and teachers should know that and work around it. Self-organization isn't innate in many or most people, gifted or not. It's a learned skill.
(It wouldn't surprise me if your DD isn't the only one with this problem.)
Our solution is as follows:
1. We have a homework table (small table). All homework assignments go to that spot and NOTHING ELSE can be put there. That way we at least know where we have to look.
2. I talked to the teacher about announcing "Everyone turn in your homework now." I think she was relying on everyone to hand it in by default because you're supposed to hand it in every day. Again, kids get distracted! So it's good to remind them. (Well, I get distracted too, but that's another topic).
3. We load the backpack the night before and put it in front of the door (makes it harder to forget the backpack).
Corollary: put it in the car the night before. We do this with important stuff.
4. If your DD stays for after-school care, the school should have a study hall time for doing homework. Attendance should NOT be optional, and no going out to play until it's DONE!
Hope that helps. I don't know any other details, but what I've here doesn't say 2E to me.
Val
