(Chelsea Update would like to thank Kristin Krarup-Joyce, Ed. S. NCSP, Ellen Kent, Ed. S. NCSP and Emily Verbeke, Ed. S. NCSP for the information in this new weekly column.)
If you have a question for one of the school psychologists, please email [email protected]. All information will be kept confidential.
Question: Recent research claims that homework is not helpful for grade school students. Based on a review of current peer-reviewed research, what is your view as a school psychologist?
Answer: The article you referenced certainly provides evidence of the ineffectiveness of homework. However, we like this excerpt from the National Association of School Psychologists:
“Harris Cooper, a leading homework researcher, examined more than 100 studies on the effects of homework and concluded that there is little evidence that homework at the elementary school level has an impact on school achievement.
Studies at the junior high school level have found some modest benefits of homework, but studies of homework at the high school level have found that it has clear benefits.
Despite mixed research on homework effects, many teachers believe that assigning homework offers other benefits besides contributing to school achievement.
Homework teaches children how to take responsibility for tasks and how to work independently. That is, homework helps children develop habits of mind that will serve them well as they proceed through school and, indeed, through life. Specifically, homework helps children learn how to plan and organize tasks, manage time, make choices, and problem solve, all skills that contribute to effective functioning in the adult world of work and families.”
An additional benefit of assigning homework to students is parental involvement.
By helping your child with his homework, you are gaining an understanding of what is being discussed in class. Homework may serve as a springboard for communicating with your child about what he is learning and will help you as a parent understand your child as a learner.
A general rule is 10 minutes of homework per grade in school. Thus, a first grader should have about 10 minutes, a second grader about 20 minutes and so on. Of course, if you feel like your child is getting too much homework, you should talk with her teacher.
Often, homework may be reading for pleasure, and this is always a good thing.
