How important is homework?

February, 2001
By: Dr. Connie Blanchard, Superintendent of Mancos Schools

Parents often express concern about homework assignments and wonder what role they play in their child's overall educational experience.

Assigning homework serves various educational needs. It serves as an intellectual discipline, establishes study habits, eases time constraints on the amount of curricular material that can be covered in class, and supplements and reinforces work done in
school. In addition, it fosters student initiative, independence, and responsibility and brings home and school closer together.

Homework is defined as out-of-class tasks assigned to students as an extension or elaboration of classroom work. There are three types of homework: practice, preparation, and extension. Practice assignments reinforce newly acquired skills. For example, students who have just learned a new method of solving a mathematical problem should be given sample problems to complete on their own. Preparation assignments help students get ready for activities that will occur in the classroom. Students may, for example, be required to do background research on a topic to be discussed later in class. Extension assignments are frequently long-term continuing projects that parallel classwork. Students must apply previous learning to complete these assignments, which include science fair projects and term papers.

Research in the last decade or so has begun to focus on the relationship between homework and student achievement and has greatly strengthened the case for homework. Although there are mixed findings about whether homework actually increases students' academic achievement, many teachers and parents agree that homework develops students' initiative and responsibility and fulfills the expectations of students, parents, and public. Studies generally have found homework assignments to be most helpful if they are carefully planned by teachers and have direct meaning to
students.

Parents can get involved in the process in a variety of ways:

-Share any concerns regarding the amount or type of homework assigned with the child's teacher or principal

-Encourage your child to take notes concerning homework assignments in case questions arise later at home

-Provide a suitable study area and the necessary tools

-Limit after-school activities to allow time for both homework and family activities

-Monitor television viewing and establish a specific homework time

-Plan a homework schedule with your child. Allow for free time when assignments are completed

-Praise your child's efforts. If questions arise about the assignments, and your child asks for help, ask him or her questions or work through an example rather than simply providing an answer

-Younger children need more parental assistance with homework.

-Go over assignments with your child. Do several problems or questions together, then observe your child doing the next one or two

-If your child is in elementary school, check completed assignments. At all levels, ask to look at homework once it has been marked and returned

-Ask your child's teachers about their homework policy and specific assignments.

According to some researchers, two ways to increase students' opportunities to learn are to increase the amount of time that students have to learn and to expand the amount of content they receive. Homework assignments may foster both these goals.
Reforms in education have called for increased homework, and as a result, reports show that students are completing considerably more homework than they did a decade ago.

The National PTA and the National Education Association recommend the following:

From kindergarten to third grade, no more than 20 minutes per day.

From fourth to sixth grade, 20 to 40 minutes per day

From seventh to twelfth grade, the recommended amount of time varies according to the type and number of subjects a student is taking. In general, college-bound students receive lengthier and more involved homework than students preparing to enter the work force immediately after graduation.

Why should parents be concerned about a school homework policy? Because lack of an established policy may place either insufficient or unrealistic demands on a child. Students may not be expected to work to capacity; alternatively, they may receive too
many assignments from different teachers on the same evening. Also, schools with homework policies tend to set guidelines for teachers to correct, grade, and return homework systematically to their students, thus reinforcing learning. Schools with homework policies generally provide specific guidelines regarding what is expected from parents, and carefully design and provide homework assignments appropriate to each grade level.

Students may not always view homework as a pleasant experience, but if the assignment serves a good purpose and parents reinforce the completion of the tasks, students will benefit by gaining higher grades, better study habits, and a more positive attitude toward school and learning. Homework assignments give parents insight into the school curriculum and offer a greater opportunity for student learning to occur.