VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHIES AND CHANGES IN AMERICAN SOCIETY HAVE INFLUENCED HOMEWORK PRACTICES. AT ONE TIME, HOMEWORK WAS THOUGHT TO BE AN IMPORTANT MEANS OF DISCIPLINING A STUDENT'S MIND AND FILLING IT WITH LARGE AMOUNTS OF KNOWLEDGE. A PERIOD OF CRITICISM OF THE EXCESSES AND MISUSES OF HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS FOLLOWED. THIS VIEW WAS SUCCEEDED BY A PERIOD IN WHICH HOMEWORK WAS SEEN AS A MEANS OF STIMULATING STUDENT INTEREST, OF ENRICHING THE CLASSROOM LEARNING EXPERIENCE, AND OF ATTAINING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THERE IS AN INCREASING TENDENCY TO REGARD HOMEWORK AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF SCHOOL WORK AND TO INDIVIDUALIZE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS WHEN POSSIBLE. THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE AS STOCK NO. 434-22804 FROM PUBLICATIONS EDITOR, RESEARCH DIVISION, NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, 1201 SIXTEENTH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036, FOR $0.30. (HM)