Approximately half of the teachers use textbook assignments, while another 25 percent rely on worksheets. That is, assign written work on Monday due on Thursday, and then assign work on Thursday due the following Monday. Just as importantly, this format usually increases the number of students completing quality assignments. Various educational commissions and studies have strongly urged expansion of homework. Targeted Homework is based on the belief that homework can make a significant contribution to student achievement in the areas of knowledge, skills, and acquisition of values.
Teachers implement targeted homework when they employ the following strategies.
Share with students and parents or guardians the school s homework policy as well as the teacher s personal policy. Target assignments to student needs, learning style, and abilities, individualizing some assignments. Use a wide variety of challenging assignments of various lengths and difficulties of an individual and group nature. This may involve class visits to the school library or discussion of other facilities. Allow sufficient time for completing the assignment.