Recently I received an email from one of our subscribers regarding the issue of homework and outside project assignments. The parents of one of her students complained that the outside work being assigned was too hard for their child to complete due to family commitments. This is an issue faced by many teachers, so I felt it timely to address within the newsletter.

 I am of two minds on homework and outside projects.  First, our kids already spend 7 to 8 hours of their day at school learning and completing work. When we then force an undue amount of homework on our students, it takes away the little time they have to play, socialize with other children/adolescents, and spend time with their family each day. Children need time to play and relax just like everyone else. If all their time is spent completing outside school work, they might as well spend 10 hours a day in school. Homework and outside projects definitely have their place, but when overdone can actually be more harmful than helpful. There are several excellent books on the subject of homework that offer solid research to back up the idea of either no or limited homework assignments. One excellent book on this topic is The Homework Myth by Alfie Kohn.

However, we also have the issue of families over-committing their children in extra-curricular activities such as sports, clubs, and outside lessons. Running directly from school to two or more activities every day also takes a toll on our students. Even if students are given a smaller amount of work, when will the child complete it if he/she is constantly on the go? Over-scheduling is just as much a problem as large amounts of homework assignments. Where is the free time to play and socialize with friends when being shuttled from class to class by a parent?

As teachers, it is important that we reflect on our homework and outside project assignment load. Are you giving your students an abundance of work to do outside of school? Studies show that homework does not help increase learning in young students through elementary school. Homework assigned in moderation throughout middle and high school helps to instill a positive work ethic, self-discipline, and responsibility in our students.

Additionally, most often homework completed at home is done incorrectly. Parents often disagree with the methods used by the teacher and attempt to “help” their child do the homework either by doing it for them (in which case the student learns nothing) or teaching their child a different way to complete the homework (often incorrectly). Now the student must “unlearn” the incorrect methods and relearn the correct ones in class. This does not help the student or the teacher in any way.

When assigning homework, make sure that it is a reasonable amount and should not take up the entire afternoon and evening for the student to complete. For example, assigning 5 math problems to show the student has understood and can apply skills taught in class works just as well (if not better) than assigning 50 problems. You will probably get a better idea of student mastery with fewer problems. It is very easy for attention and effort to slip after a while causing the student to make unnecessary mistakes in their work.

Also, reflect on how much time you give for outside projects. Do students have enough time to complete the work? Have you taken into account the fact that they might be involved in extra-curricular activities throughout the week? Make adjustments accordingly. This should help calm down those parents who are concerned that their child has too much outside school work.

If, however, you determine that your homework load is reasonable, and, you are giving plenty of time for students to complete outside projects, then you need to sit down with the concerned parents in a conference. First, ask the parents to express their concerns with regards to the outside work load. Listen without interrupting and take notes of all the commitments they list for their child/family. Next, explain the amount of time you estimate it should take students to complete their homework assignments and/or the outside project (on a daily basis). For example, Mrs._____, if your student spends half an hour each day working on this project over the entire time he/she is given to complete it (i.e. – 2 weeks), there should be no problems in getting the project finished and turned in on time.”  

You also need to explain why you have the students working on this project at home versus in class so that the parent understands your reasoning. They may not agree, but that is not the point. The point is that you are not assigning this project on a whim. You have a reason – a purpose for the outside work. At that point you need to gently talk to the parents about the fact that their child (and family) may be overcommitted. This is not easy because most parents do not want to have their decisions questioned. However, if the child is spending three hours each day on additional commitments, there is no way the homework can be done as well. Use the notes you took earlier to help explain your reasoning. This issue needs to be addressed for everyone’s sake.

Next, work with the parents to determine a compromise between the two of you that will help their child finish the outside work assigned. “Let’s figure out together  _____’s habits for completing school work at home and see how we can help him/her get projects completed on time.” Perhaps you assign a little less homework and the parents have their child drop one or two of the outside activities. You can also provide a time-table and a structured outline of when each piece of the project should be completed. An additional option would be to discuss time management strategies with the parents. For example, take a look at their calendar and the free time available each day. Does the mother spend an hour or so preparing dinner? What is the child doing during that time? This would be a perfect time to complete homework assignments at the kitchen table. Ask the parents to describe how and when their child gets outside work done at home. Are there distractions? Does the child have a quiet place to get the work done? They should only need to find a half-hour to an hour in order to get the work done. If it takes longer than that amount of time, there is too much work being assigned.

It is easier for parents to blame you for their child not getting a project done on time. A confrontation is hard, but will be necessary. This situation is not one-sided, especially if the parents are using as their reasoning extensive family commitments. However, your tone needs to be one of “let’s work together on this.” Stand your ground as far as the amount of work assigned (as long as it is reasonable) and do not apologize for outside work that has a solid purpose behind it. I would also strongly suggest that you speak with your principal whenever this type of issue arises. Explain the complaints of the parent and your reasoning behind the assignments. Then, if the principal is accosted by the parents, he/she is already up-to-date on the situation and will have a response prepared. The one thing an administrator hates more than anything is being caught unprepared by a parent.

The homework issue is one that has many sides and will not easily go away. Assigning outside work has long been a part of school. Whether or not that work is completed and turned in… Well, let’s just say that we’ve all faced (and are facing) the challenge of getting students to turn in their work. When parents enter the fray with excuses for their child, it makes it that much more difficult to get the assignment. At the same time, we need to be understanding of the need for families to spend time away from school work and not assign so much that it becomes an unmanageable burden. Like everything else in the classroom, a delicate balance is needed. So we must ask ourselves: Is there too much homework, not enough time, or both?