What Does Research Say About Homework?

The pros and cons of homework are perenially debated by students and parents alike. Here's some research findings on homework:

1. Scholars at Duke University reviewed more than 60 research studies on homework that were conducted between 1987 and 2003. They concluded that homework generally has a positive effect on student achievement. The strongest positive correlation was for students in grades 7-12 (Cooper, Robinson, & Patall, 2006).

2. Using data from a national sample of 343,900 high school students, Bembenutty (2005) found that students who engaged in self-directed study methods, such as homework, were more likely to succeed academically because they developed higher motivational beliefs about themselves.

3. Research conducted by Paik (2003) found that students learned more from homework that was graded, commented on, and discussed by teachers than from homework that received no feedback.

4. Nichols (2002) found that schools and districts with clearly defined policies and expectations related to homework were more likely to have higher achieving students than schools and districts without such policies and expectations.