I send home homework and checks it and sends it back everyday becuase I know it is one way that parents will be aware of what their kids are learning in school.  Parents may have learned math or reading differently or may not have learned it at all.  To address this, I send home examples of how to solve a math problem or send home notes like the one on Point of View.  I believe that if they take time to work with their kids with their homework at this early stage in their education, they will grown learning with their children, allowing them to help them in higher grades.