1. Establish a central location for doing homework.
This will allow you to observe your children as they work.

2. Keep the area quiet and free of distractions.
There should be NO distractions; no TV, no ipod, no cell phones. Phones may need to be turned over to parents until homework is complete.

3. Establish a set time to begin doing homework.
If your child doesn’t have after-school activities, allow for a half-hour break to eat a snack, watch TV, phone or text a friend, etc. before beginning homework.

4. Have your child use a planner.
Use a planner to write down homework assignments, upcoming tests, projects, etc. Check your child’s planner every day.

5. Supervise homework.
Be around and available to help if needed. Offer suggestions and ideas if needed. If your child knows you are interested in their work, they will become more interested in it, too.

6. Set goals with them.
After an hour or so of doing homework, allow for a 10 minute break. This is a small reward for working hard.

7. Check their work.
Check work to make sure it is completed and correct. Quiz your child if they are studying for a test. Older children may not need to be quizzed. Parents need to establish a daily check system with the student's online grading system; or email the teacher for weekly or biweekly progress reports. Check their progress daily if possible, at least 2-3 times per week.

Once homework is completed and corrected, your child has earned the privilege of watching TV, using the computer or cell phone, playing video games or hanging with their friends. No privileges until all homework is completed!

If your child misses an assignment or receives a low test score, evaluate why this happened. If your child misses another assignment, and his or her grades are less than acceptable, i.e. A's, B's, C's, your child should receive a consequence. For example, don’t allow TV or video games until that assignment is turned in and grades brought up to a C or better.

Parents need to have a “family meeting” with children before implementing this new system. Explain your expectations for grades, missing assignments, completing work and studying for tests.

Tell your children that there will be no privileges until all work is completed. Consequences will result if they don't do what they are supposed to do -- which is being a student and finishing their work.

Let your children know that if they do their job, they will enjoy privileges and more freedom throughout the year. Once their homework habits are firmly entrenched, you no longer need to check their progress everyday.