Rethinking Homework

Let's be pragmatic, you either love homework or hate homework. However, it is inevitable that homework is and always will be a part of our educational landscape. Whether you align yourself closer to the no-homework camp or to the pro-homework camp, the debate will continue to rage on for decades. It is the cause of more friction between administrators, teachers, and families than any other aspect of education. Research shows that homework controversies follow a cyclic process with outcries for more homework or less homework. This course will examine the role homework has played in the American culture of schooling and offer tools to end the battle and turn homework into an opportunity for cooperation in learning. Participants will analyze and discuss current research findings, best practices that support diverse needs, and contemporary policy guidelines.

Participants will also learn variations in homework that can influence academic achievement and how the influences of parents affect the homework process. In addition, participants will learn to allot appropriate assignments for different grade levels, improve homework completion, implement homework strategies and support programs, and deemphasize the grading of homework. Finally, participants will draw conclusions from their research and develop a comprehensive district/school homework policy thus becoming an agent of change in their own respective educational realm.

NOTE: Required textbooks must be acquired separately.

This course is applicable towards the Curriculum Design and Assessment Certificate and Student Engagement Certificate.