ABSTRACT
That homework will have a valuable impact upon academic achievement might seem obvious. It surely provides valuable opportunities to reinforce, sustain, and extend classroom learning. It should encourage complementary activities, such as project work, and could involve student creativity whilst drawing on the home environment. Removed from the direct presence of the teacher, the student is encouraged to take responsibility for, and self-regulate, their study patterns, work independently, operate to tight deadlines, and resist alternative leisure attractions. If started at a young age this should establish patterns of work that could last a lifetime. Given such potential benefits, it is surely surprising that the arguments for assigning academic work to children outside of school remain controversial. Many of the hypotheses outlined in the “obvious” claims above are not strongly supported by the research to date. Some remain unanswered.
