I think there are pros and cons to homework, especially in the primary school setting. Reading, however, is very important. I would rather have kids engaged in a daily reading program (with rewards attached) than just going through the motions of "doing homework".

Having said that, one of dd's schools had a matrix approach. Each fortnight they would bring home a matrix with 9 different things on it. The activities ranged from physical activities, family/social activities (eg to discuss something or do a particular thing with a family member), arty/creative things, etc. only 1 or 2 things were compulsory for the fortnight. Everything else was up to the students & the family's capacity as to how much they did. This system worked brilliantly, as it encouraged learning activities right across life. That's a much better goal for homework than just repeating mindlessly boring tasks over and over again.