Raging Debate: Abolish Homework? Reduce It? Keep It?

Homework has been a staple in education for generations, but now, questions are being asked about its effectiveness in improving learning, and when it's appropriate to assign it. Below you'll find a number of links to articles either supporting or calling into question the value of homework, and it's effect on families, children, learning and schooling.

Summary Of The Homework And Assignments Debate

Proponents:

• Homework helps integrate home and school, and helps parents stay "connected" to their child's school life, and even what the child is doing, and how well s/he is doing it.
• It is a critical aspect of learning, since there's only so much that can be accomplished in a school day, and homework allows students to "practice" what they are supposed to have learned, AND prepare for what they will learn next.
• It allows teachers to evaluate where a child is, and what difficulties s/he may be facing, by looking at the errors made in homework assignments.
• Homework helps build study skills and discipline that will be important later on as students are expected to become more self-managing and self-directed.

Detractors (Abolitionists)

• Homework is often busy work involving repetitive tasks dressed up as practice.
• Homework's relationship to achievement is not borne out by the research.
• It stresses out kids, particularly those at lower levels, and negatively affects kid's motivation to learn and attend school.
• In a busy world, parents find it difficult to supervise and be involved in homework and don't want the responsibility.
• Homework, per se, should be fun and enjoyable for it to be effective, and often it's not.
• It detracts from other activities that are important for child development, including free PLAY.
• Good students don't need the extra work, and poor students don't complete it, so don't gain from it, except for high stress levels.

Important Note On Homework Research

As with many things human, the research on homework is inconsistent. Often the answer to many questions is far more complex than "homework is good", or "homework is bad". The ultimate answer is the value of homework depends on a number of factors and contexts.

As you read, be alert to your own tendency to give credence to research that supports your already existing conclusion. That way, you'll become more open to the many issues and complexities involved.

More On The Complexities Of Homework, and Whether It Should be Abolished: Homework - Abolish Or Reduce Or Keep