Making Students Do Their Homework: Strategies for Ensuring Completion
Whether in elementary school, middle school, or high school, getting students to regularly do their homework is one of the biggest challenges that teachers face. While homework provides numerous academic and developmental benefits, many students simply do not want to spend their leisure time completing assignments. As a teacher, it is your job to motivate students and ensure they are using their time outside of school productively to reinforce classroom learning. Here are some effective strategies you can use to increase homework completion rates:
Start Early and Set Clear Expectations
One of the best ways to get buy-in from students on doing homework is to have a conversation about expectations at the very beginning of the school year. Take time during the first week to explicitly explain why homework is important, what assignments will look like, how much time they should take, and the consequences for not completing work. Be clear that homework is a requirement and non-negotiable. You can also have students and parents sign a homework policy contract to get everyone on the same page. Setting the tone early and with consistency will go a long way.
Design Meaningful Assignments
Students are more likely to do homework if they see the value in it and feel like it is worthwhile work. Avoid busywork and aim to create homework assignments that directly connect to class lessons and content. If possible, allow students some choice or freedom in assignments so they feel invested. You can also incorporate technology, hands-on activities, games, and other methods that make homework feel engaging rather than like a chore. Giving a brief explanation of the learning objective behind each task helps students understand how homework supports their growth.
Implement a Tracking System
Many teachers find that simply assigning homework is not enough – students need accountability. Using a tracking system like a checklist, log, or online portal forces students to stay organized and lets you closely monitor who is falling behind. Make tracking part of your routine by having students fill out logs at the start of each class or during homeroom. Be diligent about collecting homework every day without exception so students understand the expectations are serious. You can also consider randomly collecting just a few problems to check for understanding.
Check for Understanding
While it may not always be possible, trying to provide timely feedback on homework is key. Returning assignments back to students within a couple days after collecting them, rather than allowing work to pile up for a week or more. During that time, go over any common mistakes, misconceptions, or areas of confusion. Students are then motivated to correct their work and learn from errors before moving on. This closed feedback loop reinforces learning happening at home. You may also try setting aside 5-10 minutes at the start of each class for a quick review of the previous night’s assignment.
Involve Parents
When parents are enlisted as partners, they can help encourage and ensure homework gets done. Communicate homework policies and expectations regularly through newsletters, online portals, or conferences. Some teachers even have parents sign student agendas or logs each night to acknowledge work was completed. You can also suggest parents provide a consistent homework time and space, limit distractions, check work for understanding, and praise effort rather than just grades. With parental support, homework suddenly becomes a non-negotiable family routine rather than an individual task.
Offer Incentives
While intrinsic motivation should be the ultimate goal, extrinsic incentives can be effective for jumpstarting good homework habits, especially in the beginning. Consider things like praise and recognition for students who turn work in on time daily or who improve completion rates. You may allow a fun activity as a reward if the entire class achieves a certain percentage of homework completion. Certificates, school supplies, or small prizes distributed weekly or monthly also motivate students. As responsibility builds, phase out extrinsic motivators in favor of students wanting to learn for learning’s sake.
Address Roadblocks to Completion
If certain students repeatedly fail to complete homework, it is important to discern the root causes rather than just punish with penalties. Common barriers include a lack of understanding of assignments, not having necessary materials or resources at home, outside obligations interfering with study time, or lack of routines/space at home condusive to homework. Talk individually with struggling students and their parents to problem-solve solutions. Consider having a peer-tutoring program for extra help or allowing students to finish incomplete work during lunch or after school with support. Lessen the negative behavior by addressing its triggers.
Implement Consequences
While prevention is preferable to punishment, having homework policies backed with real consequences increases their seriousness in students’ eyes. Be consistent in requiring makeup work or redoing assignments that are incomplete or late. Loss of privileges, detention, phone calls home, or parent conferences can be used for habitual non-completion. Consequences should not be perceived as punitive – explain they are meant to encourage responsibility and accountability. Monitor closely for any underlying reasons work is not getting done and adjust plans to help struggling students succeed with homework completion.
Continually Assess Effectiveness
Just as you check for understanding of curriculum, evaluate if homework policies and teaching methods are achieving their desired results. Track overall completion rates, monitor individual progress, solicit student and parent feedback regularly. Make adjustments as needed such as shortening or lengthening assignments, offering more assistance, modifying tracking methods, or altering incentives/consequences based on data. The goal is to increase efficacy of homework for maximum student learning and buy-in. With consistent effort over time, students will develop strong study habits and intrinsic value for their education outside of the classroom.
The homework battle requires commitment, creativity and compassion on the part of teachers. Frequent communication, meaningful work, accountability and addressing barriers together yield the greatest returns in motivating students. While it may take some trial and error to find the right approach, implementing proactive strategies coupled with follow through on expectations will pay off in increased student achievement and responsibility down the road. With persistence and care, teachers can help transform how students view homework as a vital part of their academic experience and growth.
Andrew Stroud