Teacher Institute focuses on homework On January 4, Dr. Cathy Vatterott, author of Rethinking Homework, presented about the role that homework plays in the family culture, the research on the impact of homework on student achievement, and effective homework practices. Dr. Vatterott is a professor of education at the University of Missouri- St. Louis. She has written and published a number of articles and books on homework and grading practices. She has also presented to more than 10,000 educators across the country. "We decided to bring in a consultant on homework following the decision on the bell schedule,” said Stacey Gorman, director of curriculum and instruction. “As students move from 3-4 academic classes to 5-6 per day, we want to make sure we are cautious of homework balance,” she explained. Back to news