Schrecengost

INVESTIGATION #2
What are parents views on homework?
Investigation #1 v. Investigation #2
In this second investigation I explore more on the issue of homework and what
parents think about it. Due to the nature of my position at the school, I focused on two
classes of first grade and two classes in second grade, seeing as selecting only one class
of each would provide a very limited view on the subject. Although I decided to conduct
three separate research questions throughout this course, I believe that investigation
inadvertently builds on my first investigation.
Investigation 1 was exploring the challenges teacher across grade levels face (i.e.
low salary, time management, etc.), investigation 2 ties in with that because parent
involvement was the number one challenge across all grade level participants, and
homework is something that few parents are not involved with. Homework has been a
point of controversy because many parents believe it takes time away from family time
and sometimes they do not have time or the skills to help their child with the homework.
Others argue that homework provides no benefits for the child and would consider it
busywork for the students.
Data Collection Method
For this second investigation the only data collection method that was used was a
questionnaire. Interviews were on my list of collection methods; however, there was only
one willing participant from all four classes, which would not provide sufficient input for
my research; however, I have still included a few quotes from a few parents, who wrote
in the questionnaires. One factor I believe to have caused such limited participation for

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the interview is perhaps the fact that they may not feel comfortable or lack of time.
Possibly if the research were conducted in September, where parent conferences were
happening, it would have been easier to have parent participation. Despite, the lack of
participants for the interview I feel as though the questionnaire results provide just
enough information on how parents feel about homework.
I designed the questionnaire because of the effectiveness of utilizing it in
investigation 1. The questionnaire provides parents the option to select multiple answers
and even write in answers if they wish. Additionally, it was easier to keep track of which
students had already turned in their questionnaires and which hadnt. Although, similar to
investigation 1, it was painstaking to count the results with paper-and-pencil
questionnaires, I personally feel better about the results when the questionnaires are
individually assessed.
My Findings
The results of my investigation were interesting to say the least. In general,
parents support homework and have positive views about it; very few see homework as
negative. Those parents who see homework as negative may also parents who are rarely
involved with their childs education (as stated by general classroom teachers). In one
particular questionnaire, the parent accidentally wrote the childs name on it, and the
answers to the questionnaire were negative. The parent stated, HW takes time away
from family. This specific student is below grade level both in reading and math; and the
classroom teacher states that this student would benefit greatly from completing the
homework because the child would have an opportunity to practice and reinforce skills
learned in the classroom.

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Three specific second grade parents wrote in their reasons for supporting
homework and here are their statements:

Parent 1: The more my kids practice in something the better and EASIER the
EOGs are for them. Also, it is less stress on the EOGs at the end of the year
because they master enough skills during school and homework time practicing
all subjects.

Parent 2: Homework develops good work ethic and boosts confidence when the
work is understood and completed.

Parent 3: Homework helps a child memorization of the skills learned in class.

Overall 86% of parents support homework given out each day, as opposed to the 14%
who do not support homework given out each due to several reasons (cuts into family
time, no time for other activities, etc.).

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1st Grade Results (20 participants)

My child finds the level of homework

Too hard
About right
//////////////////
Too easy
//

How Important do you think homework

is to your childs learning?
Very Important
///////////
Important
/////
Some Importance
////
No Importance

Are you able to help your child at home

with their homework?
Yes
/////////////
Sometimes
//////
No
/

Do you think the amount of homework

given by the school each week is
Too Much
/
About right
/////////////////
Not Enough
//

Overall, do you support homework being

given out each day?
Yes
/////////////////
No
///

Answered, Yes to overall support

It helps to develop independent working
It reinforces work begun in school
It is a good practice for primary school
It raises childrens attainment
Parents informed about schoolwork
It prepares children for the future

//////////
//////
////
///
/////////
//////

Answered No to overall support

Children have worked long enough
Homework cuts into family time
It can be a cause of friction/anxiety
Schoolwork is different now
Less time for other activities

/
///

Note: First grade homework is given out weekly and they have the opportunity to
complete it in portions every single day. It includes reading 20 min, 2-3 math word
problems, and a short writing prompt where 2-3 sentences are required.

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2nd Grade Results (23 participants)
How Important do you think homework
is to your childs learning?
Very Important
/////////////
Important
////
Some Importance
//////
No Importance

My child finds the level of homework

Too hard
About right
///////////////////
Too easy
////
Are you able to help your child at home
with their homework?
Yes
///////////////
Sometimes
///////
No
/

Do you think the amount of homework

given by the school each week is
Too Much
//
About right
////////////////////
Not Enough

Overall, do you support homework being

given out each day?
Yes
/ / //////////////////
No
/ ///
Answered, Yes to overall support
It helps to develop independent working
It reinforces work begun in school
It is a good practice for primary school
It raises childrens attainment
Parents informed about schoolwork
It prepares children for the future

////////////
/ ///////
/ ///////
/////
///////
/////////

Answered No to overall support

Children have worked long enough
Homework cuts into family time
It can be a cause of friction/anxiety
Schoolwork is different now
Less time for other activities

/ //
/ / //
//
//

*The tally highlighted in blue is one parent in particular who believed that homework
was both good and bad and had pros and cons.
Note: Second grade homework includes reading 20 minutes everyday and a one sided
math worksheet every night.

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Implications
Although I do not currently have my own classroom I do believe that there are
several effects as a result from this investigation. First off, this investigation has given me
much more insight on how involved parents are not only with homework but in general
as well. Out of an average of 20 students per class, only about half of the questionnaires
were completed and turned in. This information lets me know that parents are either not
involved or simply place priorities over what they participate in.
Overall, through conducting this investigation it gave me a bigger picture on what
parents think about homework. The majority of parents believe that homework does play
a significant role in a childs education. I also learned that participation in the past two
investigations are something that is hard to obtain, especially with the busy lifestyle we
all have. Thus, for the next investigation involving any sort of survey, including some
type of incentive would most likely increase the number of participants. Lastly, I have
learned that there are a lot of factors that come into play when it comes to conducting
action research and I can see how it might be even more difficult when having your own
classroom.