Although there are mixed findings about whether homework actually increases students' academic achievement, many teachers and parents agree that homework develops students' initiative and responsibility and fulfills the expectations of students, parents, and the public. Homework can help parents learn about their children's education and communicate both with their children and the schools. In addition to helping with homework, there are many other important ways that parents can help their children learn. What families do is more important to student success than whether they are rich or poor, whether parents have finished high school or not, or whether children are in elementary, junior high, or high school. What is the Value of Homework Homework is the time students spend outside the classroom in assigned activities to practice, reinforce or apply newly-acquired skills and knowledge and to learn necessary skills of independent study. Homework is an opportunity for students to learn and for parents to be involved in their children's education. A parent's interest can spark enthusiasm in a child and help teach the most important lesson of all--that learning can be fun and is well worth the effort. Studies generally have found homework assignments to be most helpful if they are carefully planned by the teachers and have direct meaning to students. Every school will promote partnerships that will increase parental involvement and participation in promoting the social, emotional, and academic growth of children. Research in the last decade has begun to focus on the relationship between homework and student achievement and has greatly strengthened the case for homework.