Districts work on homework

Some types of homework work and some types don't, and the Davis and Wasatch school districts want to find out which is which.

Sandy Petersen, elementary school director in Davis, said a special committee has been looking at university studies and other literature regarding successful homework practices. The study is one of the superintendent's goals this year for Davis.

The committee aims to provide specific research-based homework guidelines for teachers, parents and students along with promoting consistency throughout the district.

The committee found common themes and ideas in the research:

• Amounts and purposes of homework should suit the grade level.

• Homework should have a strong connection to in-class activities.

• Parents should be involved in homework and stay updated on what's going on in the classroom.

• Teachers should directly respond to homework assignments in class.

These findings, among many others, were put together into an early Homework Policy and Guidelines draft.

"It won't be a policy, it will be guidelines," said Petersen. "We will say, 'Here's what we know and from that here are some guidelines that will inform and educate all of us as to the kind and the quantity of homework that is most effective.' "

Before the study, Davis officials didn't see any real problems with the district's homework practices. But since parents got wind of the discussion, the district has heard concerns about excessive amounts of homework as well as relevancy.

Vivian Hardy, a mother of four schoolchildren in Layton, said her main concern is the enormous amount of time her kids have to spend studying.

"I think the homework assigned is pertinent to what they are studying, but I feel it is far too excessive," said Hardy.

Her 14-year old, who is in standard classes — as opposed to honors or AP classes — is overwhelmed and constantly has her nose in the books. There is hardly time for anything else, said Hardy.

So far, the draft targets middle-of-the-road kinds of children. The second draft will include research on children in gifted, special education and advanced placement classes.