Here are some of the plusses and pitfalls to homework that are derived from current research:
Plusses:
There is, over time, a powerful positive link between homework and academic achievement.
Homework is an effective tool for teaching students to work independently.
Well-designed homework encourages good study habits (whether student initiated or modeled by teachers and parents).
Homework can effectively prepare students to identify and use resources such as the library, Internet, research texts and other informational sources.
Homework can strengthen school-home communication.
Doing homework is a highly cost effective way to have students revisit, remember and understand material taught in school and prepare for the next day's lesson.
Doing homework can impress upon students that learning can (and should) take place outside the classroom.
Engaging in homework can help students learn and practice organization and time management skills, and serve to create important early linkages between adults in the home and school personnel.
Pitfalls:
Homework has shown to provide different benefits at different stages in school, and a mismatch in homework assigned and student readiness can result in frustration and a student's reluctance to keep trying.
Most homework should not be graded, nor should it be viewed as a test; doing so discourages students to reflect upon their work and evaluate their understanding of material taught in class.
It is unfair to students to use material as a vehicle to teach new skills.
Despite the temptation, homework should not be assigned as a punishment.
Assigning too much homework may result in disinterest and fatigue; students overburdened with homework assignments will also begin to view their assignments as punitive and will do what they can to either avoid doing it, and yes, even cheat, to get it done.
Some Guidelines
It should be clear by this point that homework can be an effective way for students to improve their learning and for parents and educators to work cooperatively in support of a student's progress. Here are some informal homework guidelines for students throughout the grades:
For young children (K-Grade 2):
Homework is most effective when it does not exceed 20-30 minutes per day.
The benefits of homework may not be immediately apparent; it does, however, set the right tone for students to reflect on their school day and begin to develop good study habits.
For students in grades 3 to 6:
Students can benefit from 30-60 minutes of homework per day.
Ideally, homework should focus on providing opportunities for practicing newly learned skills and applying concepts in a way that helps parents and teachers isolate problems and provide individualized instruction and support.
For junior and senior high school students:
There is no recommended timeframe for homework, and it is not unusual for students to spend as long as 2 ½ hours or more per day on after school assignments.
The focus of assignments should be on building upon skills, taking ownership of new ideas, and helping students incorporate new information into their repertoire of general knowledge.
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