by Sara Bennett and Nancy Kalish is a great way to start. Here's a sample of the kind of introduction you might want to use:
We are a new committee at this school and we are interested in finding out the impact of homework on your family. Please take the time to fill out the enclosed survey. We're very much hoping to have every parent fill it in so that we can have a true sense of how this community is feeling about this issue. You can respond anonymously if you wish.
Please don't feel boxed in by the questions below. If we've missed something that's important to you, feel free to add it. We're interested in everything you have to say. If you have more than one child, please fill out separate surveys -- although you only have to fill out the comments section once -- and staple them together. Please return your survey to [X] by [X] date. If you would like to work with our committee, please contact [X]. Thanks.
Your name (optional):
Your child's age and grade:
1. How much time does your child spend on homework on an average school night?
2. How much time does your child spend on homework on an average weekend?
3. In general, do you think this amount is:
Too much?
Not enough?
Just right?
Why do you feel this way?
4. Could you describe a typical evening in your family? What time do your kids get home from school, have a snack, do homework, eat dinner, watch TV, go to bed, etc?
5. On average, how many nights each week do you eat dinner with your children?
6. Does homework ever involve you or your partner with your child in a positive way (increase closeness, give you insight into her or his school days, etc.)?
If yes, please describe.
7. Does homework ever involve you or your partner with your child in a negative way (do you need to cajole, cheerlead, bribe, threaten, etc.)?
If yes, please describe.
8. Do you or your partner ever help your child with assignments or projects? (Please check.)
Never
Sometimes
Often
Always
9. If you help, have you or your partner done any of the following during this school year? (Check all that apply.)
Proofread
Edit
Type or handwrite
Read aloud required reading
Prepare for tests
Brainstorm on projects or papers
Help design projects
Explain math concepts
Help create sentences for spelling words
Stay up late after child has gone to bed to put finishing touches on work
Go over work and correct errors
Help decide what order to do homework in
Other (please specify)
10. Have you or your partner ever done part or all of an assignment for a child?
If yes, please describe.
11. How much total time do you spend helping your child with homework each night?
12. Do you ever disagree with your spouse/partner/ex about how homework should be handled?
If yes, please describe.
13. Does homework ever interfere with your child being physically active?
If yes, please describe.
14. Does your child ever have to give up activities (play dates, music, scouts, religious, activities, hanging out, etc.) in order to do homework?
If yes, please describe what activities your child gives up.
15. Do you ever have to give up family activities in order for assignments to be completed?
If yes, please describe.
16. How many nights each week does your child stay up past bedtime to complete homework? (Please circle.)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
17. Does your child ever show physical signs of stress from homework?
If yes, please describe.
18. Does homework ever affect your child's attitude toward school?
How?
19. Have you ever approached a teacher or the administration to complain/change things?
If yes, please describe.
20. Any additional comments?
