School Based Intervention

Scenario In Mr. Smith’s class, homework is assigned three to four times a week. Students have been instructed to place completed work in a ‘homework’ box. Mr. Smith corrects the work after school and returns the graded papers next morning. Usually, five to ten students do not have their work in on time. After he has returned corrected homework to the class, Mr. Smith talks with students who did not hand in their work. He reminds them that papers that are missing or turned in late will affect their grades. Quite often, Mr. Smith hears excuses similar to the following: ‘I forgot to bring it in, but it’s done’- ‘I had to baby-sit my little brother’-I had sports training last night’- and ‘I got it done, but my little sister threw it away’

Project Best: Seven Steps to Successful Homework Completion Purpose-To improve homework accuracy and completion rates using a seven-step self-management strategy

Materials (per student) One folder Monthly Calendar (made new monthly) Weekly Calendar (made new weekly) Homework assignment sheets (new sheets handed out daily)

Observation Calculate the percentage of homework assignments completed with 80% or above accuracy for the entire class for several weeks (1 month)

Reinforcement (Add-In from Promoting Homework Completion and Accuracy with Mystery Motivators) For the students who completed their monthly homework assignments (80% or above)-A “mystery motivator” folder will be passed around. The Folder consists of several prizes (tangible/intangible) that the students may randomly choose from, such as free homework passes and candy. This “mystery motivator” should provide incentives to the students-motivating them to reach efficient homework goals.

Intervention Steps Begin by telling the students that they are going to learn an effective strategy that will help them complete their homework and make better grades in school. Show the students their new folders and go through each sheet inside. Explain and describe the monthly/weekly/assignment sheets and advise them that whoever completes majority of their homework assignments will receive a prize at the end of the month.

Step one As a class, prepare your folders in an organized matter. Put all appropriate dates on the calendars and remind them to fill in as many important events as possible (this will remind them to plan their homework around their schedules, so there won’t be a reason why it couldn’t be completed). Step two Make sure the students are recording all assignments onto their assignment sheets and onto their weekly schedules (remember the weekly schedules may be used to record assignments and events, while the monthly sheets should only be used for events) Ask the students if they have any questions to insure they are following all directions appropriately

Step three At the end of the day, be sure to organize all assignments (ex. if there is a book report, break each step down so it is clear to understand) Estimate the number of study sessions (30minute block of time to complete assignments) and record it next to “# of study sessions” Make sure all assignments are recorded in the appropriate places and take home all materials needed (if needed double check yourself) Step four Again* Get out the materials you need, tell yourself you’re going to do a good job, and check the requirements for each assignment

Step five Engage in the activities required to complete the assignment. If the students have any problems doing the HW, tell them to seek assistance from their parents or a study partner (if permitted by the teacher) Step six Remind the students to evaluate the quality of their work (neatness, completeness and effort). Make any necessary corrections and put all assignments back into their folder.

Step 7 Make sure the students keep their folders in a safe place, have them review their work, make sure everything is completed and ask them to record the date they handed in their work next to the “done” section on the assignment sheet. (**if needed, use examples on transparencies to show students the step by step process to be successful at this intervention-speak your thoughts allowed while showing the students how to perform each step-make sure the students memorize the strategy and distribute new monthly/weekly/assignment sheets when needed)

Evaluation * Remember to compare the percentage of HW assignments completed with 80% or above accuracy for the entire class in selected subjects before and after implementation