Homework is a source of frustration in many schools, and in many households. Yet research suggests that ‘learning at home’ is one of the most effective methods for parents to assist their children in doing better at school. (Dr. Joyce Epstein, 1995)

If the subject of homework has not been reviewed within a particular school for some time, perhaps opportunity exists for a joint committee of teachers and parents to review the current situation within a school and provide recommendations to the administration, staff, parents and school community. A review of the current situation involves honestly asking and answering several key questions as follows:

1. What are the current perceptions of teachers, parents and students regarding homework?

2. Is the school’s homework policy clear, and is it being followed by all teachers, students and parents?

3. What is currently working well?

4. What is currently not working well?

5. What should we be doing differently?

Once these questions have been explored, opportunity exists to develop a clear strategy and action plans for improving the practice of homework across the entire school. These may include seminars, clearer communications between home and school, publication of a clear new homework policy (preferably in straightforward language) or a combination of a number of action steps. This process can take up to 2 months to complete well.

If the homework issue is more individual in nature, then parents and teachers need to discuss concerns together and develop a joint plan of action. Approach the issue as early in the school year as possible, to avoid the development of more significant issues. This ensures that the student does not begin to fall so far behind that other issues develop.

If issues persist, then it would be beneficial to have a discussion with the school’s Principal or a member of the school council. Homework is a common element of the educational system and chances are, if there are persisting homework problems in one home, there are likely others that are facing similar challenges. It may be necessary to re-visit and reinforce the school’s homework policy, draw attention to the importance of clear expectations for teachers, parents and students or re-visit the issue on a school-wide basis.

Sometimes, it is appropriate to develop a homework seminar for parents at the school. Homework can be a challenge for both students and parents. Parents can often benefit from learning a variety of approaches for successfully managing homework. Parents can also learn from listening and discussing their approaches to homework with other parents in the school.

Teachers can benefit from early and honest feedback about the amount of homework arriving at home. Sometimes a simple adjustment is all it takes to ensure that a healthy level of homework is arriving at home - in the interests of home and school partnerships - and in the interests of student learning.

Review the attached background paper, and discuss next steps.

Homework is defined as those learning activities that are associated with in-school programs and are completed outside of normal classroom time. Students generally engage in a variety of different homework assignments, depending on the age and grade of the student.

The benefits of appropriate homework are numerous:

Homework supplements and supports the in-school experiences of the student.

It encourages the development of self-discipline and responsible work habits.

It develops positive attitudes towards independent study and lays the foundation for an interest in lifelong learning

It builds bridges between home and school, inviting parents to become actively involved in the education of their children.

Studies have repeatedly proven that parents’ involvement in their children’s education is a basic ingredient for children’s success in school. Children whose parents help them with their homework do better than other children of similar family background and academic aptitude.

Parents, teachers and students all play a role in the successful completion of homework. Clear communication is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of all three to ensure that homework expectations are understood and acknowledged. Homework breakdowns are often the result of inadequate communication, generating a lack of responsiveness or a level of frustration from parents, teachers or students.

Beyond this basic responsibility, there are more specific roles that teachers, parents and students must play to ensure a successful homework program.

Provide clear instructions, expectations and deadlines.

Monitor the amount of homework allotted and take 10 minutes at the end of the day to organize this in the school agenda book.

Regularly check student work and provide feedback and extra support when necessary.

Ensure that assigned work is completed.

Teach the necessary learning strategies for successful independent learning (e.g. time management, organization, research and study techniques).

Demonstrate how to use the school agenda book

Co-ordinate assignments with other staff members to avoid overload.

Conference with parents to share information and to follow up on concerns.

 

Monitor time spent and inform the teacher (through a note or phone call) if the child has consistently too little or too much homework.

Monitor what the child is doing at school, including their school agenda book. Used successfully, this is an excellent tool for communications between home and school.

Provide a quiet setting, appropriate for the completion of homework (e.g. a desk with appropriate lighting, paper, pencils etc.)

Provide a regular, consistent time for homework, free from distractions, phone calls and television.

Provide support, suggestions, clarification, interest and encouragement. If concept is unclear or not well understood, send a note to the teacher for clarification.

Inform the teacher (through a note or phone call) when homework cannot be legitimately completed.

Take children to access community resources such as libraries, museums etc., and encourage the use of newspapers and magazines (as appropriate).

Be aware of the importance of family reading, dinner table discussions etc. for the child’s development of values, knowledge, reasoning, and a positive outlook towards learning.

Record all assignments in the agenda book. Younger children may need this recorded for them. In grades 4 through 8, this is expected to be the responsibility of the student.

Carry home the materials and information to appropriate to complete the assignments.

Set goals and priorities. Start early and avoid leaving homework to the last minute.

Post a personal calendar of deadlines. Hand in completed homework on time.

Speak to the teacher before class when problems occur with homework or deadlines.

Too much homework can overwhelm the student, and initiate feelings of anger towards school, or feelings of failure.

Students begin to see homework as a punishment, not as an opportunity for learning.

Parents who repeatedly attempt to ensure that large volumes of homework are completed can become overwhelmed, by either the work itself, or by a child who does not willingly complete the work.

Households that experience daily challenges can become tension-filled, stimulating an unhealthy environment for learning.

Other children in the household sometimes receive less attention from parents challenged with assisting one child with a large volume of homework.

The bridge between home and school is challenged by the strain of the daily effort to keep up.

Prepare and publish a homework policy, to clarify the roles of everyone involved and establish clear and realistic expectations for students, parents and teachers.

Periodically discuss the role and levels of homework in staff meetings and professional development seminars.

Work with the school council to discover and resolve issues, and develop a seminar to assist parents in managing homework if necessary.

Work with the school to discover and resolve homework issues, and to develop a realistic and clear homework policy. Endorse it once published.

Encourage the school community to provide active support to students in the completion of assigned homework.

Encourage the school community to address homework issues in a positive, constructive manner.

Work with the school staff to develop a seminar to assist parents in managing homework (if necessary).

References

For More Information, Contact: Gord Kerr

E-mail: gkerr@schoolcouncils.net