The Homework Completion Cycle in 7 Bite-Size Steps

Struggles with work completion tend to show up more intensely during transitions (e.g. starting middle school, starting college, etc.).

Supporting your student with the correct aspects of work completion, staying positive, using structure, and partnering with the school team can help transform an overwhelming process to a source of celebration.

The National Association of School Psychologists offers the Homework, Organization, and Planning Skills (HOPS) Intervention that provides a framework for students, parents, and educators to intervene and disrupt the cycle of difficulties with completing assignments.

There are many different components to receiving an assignment from a teacher and returning a completed assignment on time. The Homework, Organization, and Planning Skills (HOPS) intervention identifies 7 components to the Homework Completion Cycle:

1. 1. Student records assignments accurately and in sufficient detail.
   2. Student ensures that materials needed for homework are brought home.
   3. Student plans to complete homework and study for tests.
   4. Student manages time after school effectively.
   5. Student focuses and completes homework accurately and efficiently.
   6. Student ensures that materials and assignments are brought back to school.
   7. Student turns in homework assignment

Your student may be great at parts of the cycle and do less well with others. The program recommends identifying which element of the Homework Completion Cycle is difficult for your student, in order to target the intervention there.

These five tips can help your child plan and organize for completing and turning in assignments on time:

• • Have an identified place where your student records assignments
  • Develop a homework routine with active parental monitoring
  • Use a structured organization system for transferring materials between home and school
  • Support your student with breaking assignments into steps and identifying a time to complete each step
  • Reward your student’s effort and successes throughout the process

When considering how a parent might approach implementing an intervention like HOPS, there are several considerations that have been found to support success.

• • First, start small and create goals that are easily attainable for early success.
  • Consistently and frequently monitor and reward your child’s progress.
  • Make the process fun by using a positive tone as well as emphasizing that this is an opportunity. Highlight your child’s successes.
  • Lastly, be aware of how you are managing the process and get help when needed.

For more information and step-by-step guidance on implementing the intervention and partnering with your child’s school, check out Improving Children’s Homework, Organization, and Planning Skills (HOPS) A Parent’s Guide.