Purposes for Doing Homework Reported by Middle and High School Students

Abstract

The author examined purposes for doing homework perceived by 920 students in Grades 5-12. Through an exploratory factor analysis, 8 homework purposes were reduced to 2 factor structures: Intrinsic Reasons and Extrinsic Reasons, Both factors related positively to students' use of homework management strategies. However, only Intrinsic Reasons was related to lower frequency of incomplete homework and to higher self-reported grade. Each factor was further subjected to a 2 x 2 x 2 (Grade x Gender x Homework Help) analysis of variance. Older students and students who did not receive homework help were more likely to disagree that they did homework for extrinisc reasons. The effect of homework help on Intrinsic Reasons was apparent among only the boys.

Keywords:

• family involvement
• gender differences
• high school
• homework
• and middle school