Homework hassles can often be avoided when parents and caregivers value, monitor and guide their children's work on assignments. But, sometimes helping in these ways is not enough. Problems can still come up. If they do, the schools, teachers, parents and students may need to work together to resolve them.
It is important for parents to share concerns with their child's teacher. You may want to contact the teacher if:
- your child refuses to do her assignments, even though you've tried hard to get her to do them;
- instructions are unclear;
- you can't seem to help your child get organized to finish the assignments;
- you can't provide needed supplies or materials;
- neither you nor your child can understand the purpose of assignments;
- the assignments are often too hard or too easy;
- the homework is assigned in uneven amounts - for instance, no homework is given Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, but on Thursday four of your child's teachers all make big assignments that are due the next day; or
- your child has missed school and needs to make up assignments.
In some cases, the school guidance counselor may be helpful in resolving such problems.
Communication between teachers and parents is very important in solving homework problems. Here are some important things to remember:
- Talk with teachers early in the school year. Get acquainted before problems arise, and let teachers know that you want to be kept informed. Parent-teacher conferences or open houses are good opportunities for meeting teachers, or you can simply call to set up a meeting.
- Contact the teacher as soon as you suspect your child has a homework problem. Schools have a responsibility to keep parents informed, and you have a right to be upset if you don't find out until report-card time that your child is having difficulties. On the other hand, sometimes parents figure out that a problem exists before the teacher does. By alerting the teacher, you can work together to solve a problem in its early stages.
- Request a meeting with the teacher to discuss homework problems. Tell the teacher briefly why you want to meet. Don't go straight to the principal without giving the teacher a chance to work out the problem with you and your child.
- Approach the teacher with a cooperative spirit. Believe that the teacher wants to help you and your child, even if you disagree about something. It's hard to solve problems if teachers and parents view each other as enemies.
- Let the teacher know if your child is bored with assignments or finds them too hard or too easy. Teachers also like to know when children are particularly excited about an assignment. Many times homework can be structured so that a wide range of children will find assignments interesting. For example: Different approaches to the same topic or lesson can be offered to students; extra assignments can be given to students who want more challenge; and specialized assignments can be given to students having trouble in a particular area.
- While meeting with the teacher, explain what you think is going on. Also tell the teacher if you don't know what the problem is. Sometimes a child's version of what's going on isn't the same as the teacher's version. Your child may tell you the teacher never explains assignments so he can understand them, but the teacher may tell you that your child isn't paying attention when assignments are given.
- Work out a way to solve or lessen the problem. The strategy will depend on what the problem is, how severe it is and the needs of your child. If your child has fallen behind, he will need extra help from a teacher, parent or tutor to catch up. If your child needs to make up a lot of work because of absences, work out a schedule with the teacher. If you child needs extra support beyond what home and school can give, ask if there are mentor programs in your community.
- Make sure communication is clear. Listen to the teacher and don't leave until you're sure you understand what is being said. Make sure, too, that the teacher understands what you have to say.
- Follow up to make sure that the approach you agreed to is working.
View homework as an opportunity to bring together children, parents and teachers in a common effort to improve student learning.
(Editor's note: If you would like to learn more about an innovative homework program called TIPS (Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork), contact the Center on Families, Communities, Schools and Children's Learning, Johns Hopkins University, 3505 North Charles St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21218.)
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Reprinted with the permission of the Nebraska State Education Association.
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