The topic for my research paper is parent involvement and homework. This is a subject that affects all of us in education. I have taught elementary and now I am teaching high school intervention and homework has always been a problem. Homework is meant to be beneficial but many see it as a punishment. Some parents get involved, but many don't. I hope by doing this research topic, I will gain new knowledge to help with the homework dilemma.
Purposes of Homework.
Homework plays a central role in relationships between many parents and teenagers (Solomon, Warin & Lewis, 2002). There are many reasons why teachers assign homework. According to Epstein & Van Voorhis (2002), there are ten broad purposes of homework: practice, preparation, participation, personal development, parent-child relations, parent-teacher communications, peer interactions, policy, public relations and punishment. The frustrations surrounding homework have some believing it should be banned altogether. However, most U.S. schools and school districts have guidelines regarding homework. The thought is completion of homework leads to student achievement (Van Voorhis, 2003). The different purposes of homework are not mutually exclusive; homework may be designed to fulfill one or several purposes (Van Voorhis, 2003). There has been controversy in regards to the purpose of homework. According to Ohanian (2004), it has been the assumption that a greater amount of homework leads to higher academic achievement. In reality, children may be much better off spending would be homework time playing, pursuing extra curricular interests and even doing household chores. (Ohanian, 2004). Teachers define the purpose of homework as having students complete unfinished work and to practice and reinforce class work. Teachers also believe homework assignments inform parents about class work (Bryan, Burstein & Bryan, 2001). Many parents tend to view homework as punishment.
