A SURVEY OF STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS - ed

THE HOMEWORK EXPERIENCE

A SURVEY OF STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS

Conducted for: MetLife, Inc.

Survey Field Dates: Students: March 28, 2007 and May 31, 2007 Teachers: May 10, 2007 and May 16, 2007

Parents: June 1, 2007 and June 14, 2007 Advanced Strategy Lab Session Field Date: Teachers, Principals, Department Chairs: June 12, 2007

Project Directors: Dana Markow, Ph.D., Vice President, Youth and Education Research

Amie Kim, Research Manager, Youth and Education Research Margot Liebman, Research Associate, Youth and Education Research

Report Date: November 13, 2007

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Message from MetLife In life and work, the phrase "doing your homework" means being prepared. In schools, of course, the meaning is more literal and specific. For most students, teachers and parents, homework is an almost daily fact of life. Still, it can also be about preparation, for the next day, for the next step in gaining the knowledge and skills needed for future success. Homework is a subject of much debate: Is it done? Is it effective? Are its results worth the time required? MetLife places great value on hearing firsthand from stakeholders. This year The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher asked students, teachers, and parents to share their perspectives on homework, its purposes, the time involved, the benefit. Frequently a topic of specific communications among parents, teachers and students, homework can also lead to larger discussions about teaching and learning, parenting, and preparation for work, college and life. This survey shares the voices and perspectives of those closest to the issues. As we all work collaboratively to strengthen education, we believe these views can stimulate larger, beneficial discussions in homes, classrooms, schools, universities and communities across the nation.

C. Robert Henrikson Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer MetLife, Inc.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 11 Research Methodology ....................................................................................................... 11 A Note on Reading the Exhibits and Figures...................................................................... 12 Project Responsibility and Acknowledgments.................................................................... 13 Public Release of Survey Findings ..................................................................................... 13

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................... 15 MAJOR FINDINGS.............................................................................................................. 19 Chapter One: The Purpose of Homework .......................................................................... 25

Overview............................................................................................................................. 25 How Important is Homework?............................................................................................ 26 The Purpose of Homework ................................................................................................. 30 Homework's Impact Beyond School .................................................................................. 38 Delivering on the Promise: Teachers' and Parents' Assessment of the Quality of Homework........................................................................................................................... 40 Chapter Two: The State of Homework Today ................................................................... 43 Overview............................................................................................................................. 43 Time Spent on Homework .................................................................................................. 43 Parents' and Teachers' Assessments of the Amount of Homework ................................... 48 Homework in the Context of Other Activities .................................................................... 54 The Sleep Dilemma............................................................................................................. 57 Lack of Time for Homework .............................................................................................. 65 When, How and Where Homework Gets Done .................................................................. 73 What Homework is Assigned.............................................................................................. 79 Chapter Three: Homework's Impact on the Lives of Students, Parents and Families... 85 Overview............................................................................................................................. 85 Homework as a Topic of Conversation............................................................................... 85 Parents' Homework Rules .................................................................................................. 87 Parental Help with Homework............................................................................................ 88 Types of Parental Help........................................................................................................ 90 The Impact of Homework on Family Life .......................................................................... 91 Perceptions of Parental Involvement with Homework ....................................................... 93 Chapter Four: School Quality and Homework Experiences............................................. 97 Overview............................................................................................................................. 97 Student Attitudes about School........................................................................................... 97 Lack of Teacher Support and Homework ........................................................................... 99 Quality of Education ......................................................................................................... 100 Chapter Five: Homework's Impact on Teaching and Parent Engagement ................... 107 Overview........................................................................................................................... 107 Teacher Quality................................................................................................................. 107 Teachers' Time Spent on Homework ............................................................................... 110 Homework in the Classroom............................................................................................. 115 Creating Engaging and Interesting Assignments .............................................................. 115 Teacher-Parent Communication about Homework........................................................... 118 Teacher-Parent Interactions .............................................................................................. 119 Chapter Six: Facing Homework's Challenges and Creating Solutions.......................... 131 Overview........................................................................................................................... 131 Educator Insights: Benefits and Challenges for Students ................................................ 131 Educator Insights: Teacher Challenges ............................................................................ 133

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