1. To assign or not to assign??
Homework…
To assign or not to assign??

2. The Debate-Our Questions
Does homework extend learning?
Does homework increase standardized test scores?
Does homework strain families?

3. The Big Names Against-Alfie Kohn (a behaviorist), the media
For- Marzano (school reformist)
On the fence- Harris Cooper (a professor, written many articles since the early 80s, homework for all-in moderation)

4. What the Research says…
The Case for :
Immediate achievement and learning
Long-term academic benefits
Non-academic benefits
Greater parental appreciation and involvement
The Case against:
Satiation -too much of something
Parental Interference
Cheating
Increased differences between social classes
No correlation found for elementary school students
(Cooper, 2003)

5. What you should know
According to Kohn, homework has doubled since Sounds scary, but it doubled to 52 minutes per week!
A few studies have shown that homework can increase grades and learning for ELL students, but not test scores.
Homework should be practice, not skill work and if you assign elaborate projects parents often complete the project or the other work to relieve children and keep up with peers.
Know what your population can handle at home

6. “It is not enough to be busy;
so are the ants.
The question is…
What are we busy about?”
~Henry David Thoreau