Although homework is assigned for a variety of academic and non-academic purposes, there is disagreement within the educational community about the value of homework and the amount of homework students should be assigned. This Literature Review summarizes the benefits and drawbacks of homework and examines how much time students should and actually do spend on homework. Issues such as whether school districts should develop a formal homework policy and how to involve parents in their children's homework assignments are also discussed. Strategies for increasing homework completion rates, including after-school homework centers, homework hotlines, and peer support programs, are provided. Issues teachers should consider when assigning homework, such as matching assignments to students' skill levels and learning styles, connecting homework to real life events, and providing feedback on homework assignments, are also reviewed. Research on homework's impact on student achievement is summarized. Finally, the role of grade level, income level, ethnicity, and gender in homework completion rates and the resulting effects on achievement is also reviewed. (Contains 3 tables.)