1. What research says about the value of homework

2. Does homework affect student learning? Consider the following ideas:
Homework increases academic achievement
Without excessive homework, students’ test scores will not be internationally competitive
Those who question homework want to weaken curriculum and pander to students’ laziness

3. A Brief History of the HW Debate
Late 1800s to 1940s: Progressive and health reforms led to criticism of HW
Cold War period: Competition with the Soviet Union led to more support of HW
Vietnam Era: Decline in Support
1980s and 1990s: Educational excellence movement brought back support
Recent decades: Support and research varies

4. What Does the Research Say?

5. Does homework affect student learning?
Older students benefit more
Students from low-income may not benefit as much
Students with learning disabilities benefit under certain conditions
Asian Americans benefit more than other ethnic groups
HW may have non-academic benefits – responsibility, study habits, time management

6. Graue, Weinstein, &Walberg, 19831 General effects of homework 29 .49
FIGURE 1. Synthesis Studies on Homework
Synthesis Study
Focus
Number of Effect Sizes
Average
Percentile Gains
Graue, Weinstein, &Walberg, 19831
General effects of homework 29
.49 19
Bloom, 1984 —
.30 12
Paschal, Weinstein, & Walberg, 19842
Homework versus no homework 47
.28 11
Cooper, 1989a 20
.21 8
Hattie, 1992; Fraser, Walberg, Welch, & Hattie, 1987
110
.43 17
Walberg, 1999
With teacher comments 2
.88 31
Graded 5
.78 28
Cooper, Robinson, & Patall, 2006 6
.60 23
Note: This figure describes the eight major research syntheses on the effects of homework published from 1983 to 2006 that provide the basis for the analysis in this article. The Cooper (1989a) study included more than 100 empirical research reports, and the Cooper, Robinson, and Patall (2006) study included about 50 empirical research reports. Figure 1 reports only those results from experimental/control comparisons for these two studies.
1 Reported in Fraser, Walberg, Welch, & Hattie, 1987.
2 Reported in Kavale, 1988.

7. How much time should students spend on homework?
Too much HW may diminish its effectiveness
The amount of HW completed by students is more important than the amount assigned
After-school and tutoring programs can improve behavior and motivation, but not necessarily academic achievement

8. What types of homework are effective?
Practice HW
Preparation HW
Extension HW
Integration HW
Other – personal development, student-parent communication, peer interaction
Very little research exists on connections between specific kinds of HW and student achievement

9. What does it mean for us as teachers?
Some research-based HW Guidelines:
Assign Purposeful HW:
New content
Practicing skills
Deepen knowledge
Explore interests
Maximize chances for completion
Assign an appropriate amount
Research varies on whether teachers should comment on or grade every HW assignment

10. “Educators should combine research-based generalizations, research from related areas, and their own professional judgment based on firsthand experience to develop specific practices and make adjustments as necessary…Educators can develop the most effective practices by observing changes in the achievement of the students with whom they work every day.”
--Robert J. Marzano and Debra J. Pickering

11. For small-group discussion
Why do you assign HW?
How does it assist you in assessing students?
How do you think it assists students’ learning?