For many years, homework has been a topic of heated public discussion and concern of students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Perhaps the most crucial question regards its efficacy for improving academic achievement. This book combines the results of research studies and exemplary practices to provide guidance about homework to…

Ways that instructional materials for elementary school students can be taken from room to room or from school to home are described. Ideas include mesh carryall bags, knapsacks, and paper carriers. (CJ)

Summarizes arguments of advocates and opponents of homework. Stresses that timing of assignments, nature of and reasons for giving assignments, clarity and completeness of assignment explanations, and treatment of completed assignments must be considered for homework to be an effective, joy-giving tool. Offers nine ideas for making homework more…

This article discusses how one teacher uses a weekend study buddy as a portable learning center for students (ages 5-9) with mild disabilities. The study buddy is a colorful cloth or paper bag that the students take home over the weekend. It can also be individualized to target particular needs. (Contains 8 references.) (CR)

Guidelines are presented to assist special educators in implementing homework practices. They include determining the amount of homework, deciding on the content of homework, selecting the type of homework, explaining homework to students, assisting students with their homework, motivating students to complete homework, evaluating homework, and…

The Home Education Learning Project (Project HELP) of the Philadelphia Public Schools is described. Based on an earlier school district telephone answering service program (Dial-A-Teacher Assistance (DATA LINE), with input from students through surveys, the project was implemented in 1984 to assist students with homework questions. In the first…

This document describes an experimental program which is designed to help students from grade 5 to grade 7 who are working at or slightly below grade level maintain mathematics skills. Students receive nine home-study packets containing two to four lessons each. Parents must make a commitment to supervise the home-study. The 25 lessons presented…

This document describes an experimental program which is designed to help students from grade 5 to grade 7 who are working at or slightly below grade level maintain mathematics skills. Students receive nine home-study packets containing two to four lessons each. Parents must make a commitment to supervise the home-study. The 25 lessons presented…

This parent education program is meant to be used by counselors in much the same way as other parenting programs. It uses "Parents as Tutors" as the text for parents. This curriculum resource guide includes a syllabus, nine lesson plans, and guidelines for counselors. The introduction notes that parent groups work best with 8-12 parents. The nine…

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether homework affects second grade mathematics achievement. The study involved two classes of on-grade-level students and involved a unit on place value. The results indicated that the achievement of the experimental group, which was given homework, was better than the achievement of the control…

Published to celebrate the United Nations' International Year of the Family, this special issue presents selected articles from "set," a twice yearly journal of research information for teachers. These articles look at the contribution of educational research on the relationships between schools and families, and families and learning in…

This document analyzes responses to questions included in a national assessment of knowledge of U.S. history and geography in an attempt to determine the relationship between study habits and academic performance. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 1994 asked 4th-, 8th-, and 12th-grade students specific questions regarding…

A variety of ideas and strategies for homework assignments that can be stimulating and useful to second language learners are presented. Underlying principles are that homework can: give control; develop confidence; promote creativity; support differentiation by task and outcome; encourage pupil independence; support parent-school communication;…