Homework has four basic purposes:
- Practice (e.g., after the teacher has directly taught a math algorithm in class, the homework is to complete several problems requiring use of that algorithm).
- Preparation (e.g., pre-reading or looking over a new unit of study in a text for the next class meeting).
- Study (e.g., reviewing content to prepare for a test).
- Extend or elaborate (e.g., completing a project or paper on a topic such as investigating the causes of the Vietnam War).
Of these purposes, the most valuable in producing measurable academic gains is practice for the purpose of building proficiency, maintaining mastery or both. This is not to say that the other purposes lack legitimacy. However, in existing studies, it is evident that when homework is used to build fluency and maintain proficiency, student performance is most positively affected.
Practice can be provided via homework in two ways, single-skill or cumulative. Single-skill assignments are appropriate when students are mastering the taught skill itself; cumulative assignments are valuable when students are learning to determine which skill to use and then applying it. The example about teaching a math algorithm is a single-skill format. If the assigned homework included the newly learned algorithm along with some previously learned skill, it would be considered cumulative. Cumulative practice is critical for skill maintenance and is included in any model of effective teaching practices. Skill maintenance is especially difficult for students with LD.
A critical idea here is that the student must have demonstrated competence in the skill being practiced before being asked to do it independently (i.e., as homework). Research indicates students should be able to perform a skill at 90% accuracy before it should be assigned as homework for independent practice.
Homework facts
Researchers have examined homework in many different ways. In addition to assessing what homework practices are beneficial, they have been able to describe how and when homework is assigned. Here are some important facts about homework that one can learn from the research literature.
- Benefits vary by age. The older the student, the more likely homework will have a beneficial effect.
- Optimal time per night spent on homework varies with grade level. For, primary, upper elementary, middle school, and high school grades, the optimal time is about 20, 40, 60, and 90 minutes, respectively.
- Homework is given often. Reports indicate that students may get as many 400 assignments per year in grades 7-10.
- Homework has significant effects on grades. Up to 30% of course grades in grades 7-10 is based upon homework.
- Homework affects test scores. Successful completion of homework has been associated with gains (up to 15 percentile points) on standardized test scores.
Practices that are less effective
Historically, individualization has been integral to effective education for students with Learning Disabilities. However, homework has been neglected as an area warranting individualization, especially for students served in inclusive settings. Studies show general education teachers and students accept modifications for students with Learning Disabilities for many areas of instruction (e.g., testing modifications), but when it comes to homework, they are less accepting of individualization.
However, the result of not individualizing homework can be devastating. Indeed, if students are assigned a task they are unable to complete independently or that takes them inordinate amounts of time to complete, the probability of their attempting the task is greatly reduced and they run the risk of practicing errors with serious consequences. Therefore, not individualizing homework is not an effective practice. Other ineffective practices are listed in the table below.
| Ineffective Practice | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Homework not individualized. | Often, students with learning disabilities require a greater amount of time to complete homework. Giving an assignment because “everyone else” has to do it may mean the student with LD does not complete it. |
| Homework assignments contain new information and practice. | If homework does not mirror instruction, there is the chance that students will practice a new concept incorrectly and will then need more time and instruction to relearn it correctly. |
| Homework assignments given quickly at the end of class period. | Teachers often run out of time at the end of the class period when assigning homework. Then, homework is given in a rushed fashion verbally and many students do not hear it. Or the information is merely placed on the board and students miss it. |
| Homework collected but not reviewed. | Homework provides an opportunity for direct feedback on individual student performance. If a student turns in homework that is not done correctly and the teacher does not review it and provide feedback, the student will continue the error on subsequent assignments and tests. |
| Homework given without purpose or objective. | Homework given without purpose will create frustration in students and lead to a lack of motivation to complete it. |
Practices that are more effective
Research has also provided direction about some practices that are especially beneficial. Teachers of students with Learning Disabilities probably should employ these practices, as they are likely both to help the student acquire the content or skills being learned as well as help students to complete homework in the future. For teachers collaborating with colleagues in general education settings, these are practices that probably should be promoted. Effective homework practices are listed in the table below.
| Practice | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Give less more often. | Distributed practice is critical for maintenance and retention. Providing multiple, smaller practice opportunities is superior to a single, large practice session. |
| Have a specific purpose in mind for each student. | Have a specific goal for the student to accomplish and understand the value of the assignment for each student. |
| Ensure the task mirrors the instruction. | For example, if instruction has been limited to the knowledge level, requiring students to use the content for application, in a new format, is not appropriate. |
| Allot enough time to present homework and ensure student attention. | Because many students with LD write slowly and have difficulty with multiple step directions given orally, rushing through presentation of homework may mean students will not know what to do. Make sure students are listening when you are giving an assignment. |
| Verify student understanding of the assignment. | Merely asking students if they understand the assignment does not verify that they do. If the task is new and unfamiliar, it may be helpful to demonstrate how it is done. |
| Explain the purpose of the homework and how it will be evaluated. | Explaining why the homework is important and what it is designed to do may help students be more motivated to complete it. Standards for grading should be made explicit to students and their understanding ensured. |
| Provide feedback in a timely fashion. | Homework should be evaluated as soon as possible and written or oral corrective feedback given to students. This is especially important if students have not yet mastered the targeted content or skills. |
Summary
There are over 500 articles and books on the topic of homework but only a few are actual research studies. In the area of LD there are fewer than a dozen. This guide presents a compilation of the implications for practice from those studies. Based upon this research there are three big ideas to remember when using homework:
- The best use of homework is to build proficiency in recently acquired skills or to maintain skills previously mastered.
- Homework should be individualized.
- Teachers should evaluate homework and provide detailed feedback to students.
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