Homework and Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

The research indicates that many problems exist surrounding homework and pupils with E/BD. Nonetheless, many strategies are also available to eliminate homework difficulties. Teachers and parents of students with E/BD must not ignore the problems associated with homework, just as they should not eschew the many solutions available for all concerned. With sufficient attention and application of some of the procedures suggested here, homework need not become the disaster that many teachers and parents have called it. Homework can be beneficial to students with E/BD in advancing their academic achievement—a worthy goal of any special or general educator.

Resources for Students with E/BD who are Struggling With Their Homework

• Anesko, K. M., Sholock, G., Ramirez, R., & Levine, F. M. (1987). The homework problem checklist: Assessing children's homework difficulties. Behavioral Assessment, 9,179–185.
• Baumgartner, D., Bryan, T., Donahue, M., & Nelson, C. (1993). Thanks for asking: Parent comments about homework, tests, and grades. Exceptionality, 4,177–185.
• Bowen, J., Olympia, D., & Jenson, W. R. (1995). Study buddies: A parent-to-child tutoring program in reading, math, and spelling. Longmont, CO: Sopris West.
• Bryan, T., & Nelson, C. (1994). Doing homework: Perspectives of elementary and junior high school students. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 27,488–499.
• Bryan, T., & Sullivan-Burstein, K. (1997). Homework how-to's. Teaching Exceptional Children, 29(6), 32–37.
• Buck, G. H., Bursuck, W. D., Polloway, E. A., Nelson, J., Jayanthi, M., & Whitehouse, F. A. (1996). Homework-related communication problems: Perspectives of special educators. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 4,105–113.
• Check, J. F., & Ziebell, D. G. (1980). Homework: A dirty word. The Clearing House, 54,439–441.
• Cooper, H. M. (1989). Homework. White Plains, NY: Longman.
• Cooper, H., & Nye, B. (1994). Homework for students with learning disabilities: The implications of research for policy and practice. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 27,470–480.
• Epstein, J. L. (1985). Home and school connections in schools of the future: Implications of research on parent involvement. Peabody Journal of Education, 62,18–41.
• Epstein, J. L. (1987). Parent involvement: What research says to administrators. Education and Urban Society, 19,119–136.
• Epstein, J. L. (1988). Homework practices, achievements and behaviors of elementary school students(Report No. 27). Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University, Center for Research on Elementary and Middle Schools.
• Epstein, M. H., Foley, R. M., & Polloway, E. A. (1995). Homework problems: A comparison of students identified as behaviorally disordered with nonhandicapped students. Preventing School Failure, 40(1), 14–18.
• Epstein, M. H., Munk, D. D., Bursuck, W. D., Polloway, E. A., & Jayanthi, M. (1999). Strategies for improving home–school communication about homework for students with disabilities. Journal of Special Education, 33,166–176.
• Epstein, M. H., Polloway, E. A., Foley, R. M., & Patton, J. R. (1993). Homework: A comparison of teachers' and parents' perceptions of the problems experienced by students identified as having behavioral disorders, learning disabilities, or no disabilities. Remedial and Special Education, 14(5), 40–50.
• Heller, H. W., Spooner, F., Anderson, D., & Mims, A. (1988). Homework: A review of special education practices in the Southwest. Teacher Education and Special Education, 11(2), 43–51.
• Homework Hero. (no date). Homework Hero [On-line]. Available: http://www.homeworkhero.com/ [2000, June 1].
• Jayanthi, M., Bursuck, W., Epstein, M. H., & Polloway, E. A. (1997). Strategies for successful homework. Teaching Exceptional Children, 30(1), 4–7.
• Jayanthi, M., Nelson, J. S., Sawyer, V., Bursuck, W. D., & Epstein, M. H. (1995). Homework-communication problems among parents, classroom teachers, and special education teachers. Remedial and Special Education, 16,102–116.
• Jayanthi, M., Sawyer, V., Nelson, J. S., Bursuck, W. D., & Epstein, M. H. (1995). Recommendations for homework-communication problems from parents, classroom teachers, and special education teachers. Remedial and Special Education, 16,212–225.
• Jenson, W. J., Sheridan, S. M., Olympia, D., & Andrews, D. (1994). Homework and students with learning disabilities and behavior disorders: A practical, parent-based approach. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 27,538–548.
• Nelson, J. S., Epstein, M. H., Bursuck, W. D., Jayanthi, M., & Sawyer, V. (1998). The preferences of middle school students for homework adaptations made by general education teachers. Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 13,109–117.
• Olympia, D., Andrews, D., Valum, J. L., & Jenson, W. R. (1993). Team homework: Cooperative student management of daily homework. Longmont, CO: Sopris West.
• Olympia, D., Jenson, W. R., & Neville, M. (1995). Do it yourself homework manual: A sanity saver for parents. Longmont, CO: Sopris West.
• Patton, J. R. (1994). Practical recommendations for using homework with students with learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 27,570–578.
• Polloway, E. A., Epstein, M. H., Bursuck, W. D., Jayanthi, M., & Cumblad, C. (1994). Homework practices of general education teachers. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 27,500–509.
• Polloway, E. A., Epstein, M. H., & Foley, R. (1992). A comparison of the homework problems of students with learning disabilities and nonhandicapped students. Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, 7,203–209.
• Roderique, T. W., Polloway, E. A., Cumblad, C., Epstein, M. H., & Bursuck, W. D. (1994). Homework: A survey of policies in the United States. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 27,481–487.
• Soderlund, J., Bursuck, B., Polloway, E. A., & Foley, R. A. (1995). A comparison of the homework problems of secondary school students with behavior disorders and nondisabled peers. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 3(3), 150–155.
• Telad Enterprises. (1999). The Telad Homework Advisor [Online]. Available: http://www.teladenterprises.com/index.htm [2000, January 17].
• Walberg, H. J., Paschal, R. A., & Weinstein, T. (1985). Homework's powerful effects on learning. Educational Leadership, 42,76–79.