This is a response for a class I was taking. We were discussing how to support students and homework! A new to the profession teacher was talking about parents needing to provide a quiet space, setting aside time to work with their child, setting up a schedule-20 minutes then a break then continue, checking assignments, etc which as all well and good in a perfect world.
I am a mother against homework and also a (special education)teacher against homework. I do not give homework to my students. My students are significantly below grade level with moderate disabilities. If what I have to deal with in class all day is any indication of what is going on at home, I don't want to put any added stress on parents. I do provide educational websites students can check out, and suggest parents read to their children, spend time together playing a game, but I do not send home homework. Many of my parents are working full time, some even the overnight shift, or going to school themselves. Evenings are rushed with getting dinner on the table, going to appointments, and getting ready for the next day.
As a mother of a child with ADD, anxiety, and Aspergers, it is VERY difficult to get her to do her homework. Your ideas are great in theory and BELIEVE ME we have tried, but it doesn't work that easily. By the time it's homework time, ADD meds have worn off for the day. You can't add another dose, she will never sleep at night and it will increase her anxiety. Her anxiety doesn't allow her to be left alone, so someone needs to be sitting with her for company and to keep her on task, (remember the ADD meds have worn off). The ASD kicks in with her lack of executive function and having to complete everything perfectly. Lack of executive function means she probably doesn't have her assignment written down, (Ok, here's a great idea, try taking a pic of it with your iPod...she forgets to do that!) next she won't have the book at home even though she's supposed to have a second set at home, she gets upset that it takes her twin sister no time at all to do her homework and have free time. By now we have sat and done homework for 4-6 hours. It's 10:00 at night, she hasn't showered yet, or gotten her clothes or lunch ready for the next day. I'm tired and frustrated, she's tired and frustrated, and it's ONLY 8th grade! :sigh:
I tell you all this because this has been going on since 1st grade. As a parent, I have been doing this for a long time and I have tried a lot of different strategies. Maybe by the time a student gets to you, the parents are tired, maybe they have already tried all that you suggest and more and they haven't had success, so it's more of the same. If you keep trying the same thing you will keep getting the same results. If they have tried it before and before and before and it didn't work, they need something different.
I give you this from the perspective of a parent. We have talked a lot about communication being important, I hope this helps.
