Parent Survey Review Regarding

No-Homework Program
January 2017
The enclosed information is the results of a Parent Google Survey that obtained feedback
regarding Orchard Schools No Homework Program. The No Homework Program was
instated at the beginning of the 2016-17 School Year and parent feedback was requested
during the Parent-Teacher Conferences (Thanksgiving Holiday), November 18 30.
Parents were requested to complete the survey for each of their children that attended
Orchard School. Rationale: parents might have different perspectives for different grade
levels for their children.
Both parents (guardians), in two-parent households, were requested to complete the
survey. Rationale: parents may disagree and have different opinions or feelings.
254 parents responded to this Google Survey. It could serve as a good source of parent
feedback but is not intended to be any type of formal data collection or scientific study. At
the time of the survey, Orchard School had 20 classrooms with the following demographics:
Grade
Kindergarten
Grade 1
Grade 2

Size
62
70
59

Classrooms
4
4
3

Grade
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5

Size
46
74
65

Classrooms
3
3
3

SURVEY RESULTS
254 Parents completed the November No Homework Survey. Our largest grades, 4th (73
students) and 5th (66 students) had the most responses.
Pie Chart 1a: Percentages of Grade Levels of the Parent Responses.

Pie Chart 1b: Parent responses ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree with the No Homework
Program.

One question on the survey was how parents felt about the No-Homework Policy.
Of the 254 responses: 73.3% Agreed or Strongly Agreed with the change, 8.3% were
Neutral while 18.5% Disagreed or Strongly Disagreed with the change.

BENEFITS
The next question asked parents if they have seen benefits from the No Homework
Initiative. 65.4% of the parents saw benefits while 14. 2% did not see any.
Pie Chart 2a: Parents Responses to Benefits of No-Homework Program

The survey also asked a follow up response. 124 parents provided a short narrative of their
observations. These narratives were also coded into different themes.

Quality of Life refers to that both personal and home life were improved by the
move toward a ban on homework. This is typified by the comment: 79% of the
responding parents made comments regarding an improved quality of life.

Self-Autonomy Learning refers to parents responses that their children are

taking more responsibility for their own learning.
Enrichment Opportunities refers to parents responses that their children are
involved with additional enrichment activities after school, Schools Out (afterschool program) and PTO activities.
Other these responses are generally not related to the question, may

Table 2a: How parent responses filled into the themes:

Response
Themes
Total Number

Quality
of Life
98

Self-Autonomy
Learning
35

Enrichment
Opportunities
21

Other
13

Chart 2a: Parent Responses on the benefits of not having homework:

120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Quality of Life

Self Autonomy
Learning

Enrichment
Opportunities

Other

CONCERNS
The question asked parents if they had concerns about the No Homework Initiative.
55.5% of the parents did not have concerns though 31.1% did.

Pie Chart 3A: Parents Responses to Concerns of No-Homework Policy

The follow-up question gave parents an option to write a brief response. 110 parents
provided brief narrative of their observations. These narratives were also coded into
different themes.
Lower Achievement this was a reference to parents who were concerned that student
learning and achievement would be compromised.
Traditional Perspective refers to parents who felt homework was an important aspect
of school. A traditional narrative might have been included in the narrative.
Middle School Preparation refers to parents who were concerned their children would
not be prepared for the rigors of middle school (and sometimes high school) homework.
Time Management & Study Habits refers to concerns students would not learn time
management and/or study habits.
Self Responsibility refers to concerns students will develop self responsibility if they do
not have homework assignments.
Home Commuication refers to parents concerns that they are not getting
communication on what their children are doing in school without homework.
Policy Implementation refers to parents concerns about how the policy was
implemented.
Other these responses are generally not related to the question, some discuss the
benefits instead.

Middle School
Preparation

Time Management
and Study Habits

Self
Responsibility

Home
Communication

Policy
Implementation

Other

Total Numbers

Traditional
Perspective

Response
Themes

Lower
Achievement

Table 3B: How parent responses fit into the themes:

14

37

18

23

13

Chart 3C: Parent Responses on concerns of students not having homework:

40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0