Majority of Parents Believe Teachers Assign the Right Amount of Homework
WASHINGTON - February 14, 2008 -A new national study shows approximately eight out of 10 parents believe that their child’s teachers assign the right amount—or even too little—homework.
The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher: The Homework Experience sampled the opinions of parents, students and education leaders. The findings were released today and include the following:
The majority of those surveyed believe doing homework helps students learn more in school.
- Teachers spend an average of 8.5 hours a week—or 15 percent of the time they spend on all weekly school-related responsibilities—on students’ homework.
- Seventy-seven percent of students surveyed spend at least 30 minutes doing homework on a typical school day.
- Forty-five percent of students spend at least one hour doing homework.
- Ninety percent of parents surveyed noted that helping their child with homework provides an opportunity for them to talk and spend time together.
The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Reg Weaver:
“These findings underscore what educators have known all along. Parents and teachers must work together and communicate to make sure that students are not only receiving enough homework, but are also being challenged by the assignments and lessons they take home. Helping a child with his or her homework is one of the best ways parents can become more involved in their children’s education. When parents show they care about homework and other educational matters, students take learning more seriously, and this leads to improved student achievement, reduced absenteeism and improved behavior. By fostering a positive attitude about homework, parents can help children develop fundamental study habits that will serve them well for life.”
The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.
Contact: Brian Washington (202) 822-7823