Homework: it’s assigned and completed, assigned and completed. But what benefits are actually being reaped from this endless loop? The negative effects of homework reach students, parents, and the relationships between them. Academically challenged, and socially disadvantaged students experience harsh consequences of homework. There is not even a proven positive correlation between homework and achievement, in fact there are many pieces of evidence pointing toward a negative correlation between the two. Homework continues to be dealt out because of a misinformed public as well as societal expectations, and it has to stop. Taking into account its negative effects, its lack of proven correlation with academic success, and the proven advantages of a reduced homework load, the homework burden in America must be reduced.
The negative effects of Homework at home extend across many areas of life, touching many ungrateful recipients, one of these groups being students. A study done by Highlights Magazine asked students their biggest problem in life right now. The results read, "But by far the most common complaints were related to schoolwork (23.4%). Respondents said they struggled with completing homework on time, finishing projects and/or studying for tests" (“The State of the Kid” 4). While 23.4% of children is clearly not a majority, it must be looked at in comparison to the second "biggest" problem in kids' lives. The second highest scoring problem was sibling issues, and it got 8.7%, which is almost 15% less than Homework. Parental issues, friend issues, and bullies all sat beneath the whopping 23% that said schoolwork. When students are referring to schoolwork and homework as a "problem," one must believe that this is looking like ...
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When excessive homework is assigned, teachers often overlook that this can affect their interpersonal skills. When the opposite occurs, students have a major risk in forgetting the material and its processes. I appreciated the approach that the article took presenting both sides without distorting their views. The article counted with important individuals in the field of education and psychology who expressed their views based on their extensive work of research. I agree with Campbell in the sense that decision of assigning homework is very personal and is based on each educator’s individual teaching style. The article implies how the freedom that many school districts gives to educators give them a greater say in how they manage their classrooms. The decision making about homework allows educators to grow as professionals because they are able to have control and responsibility in how they impart their lessons, consequently gaining experience. In my personal opinion, I agree in the benefits of homework as a reinforcement or remedial strategy because extra practice can often provide clarification. However, when using this as a resource for academic advancement I consider it a way to confuse students if the content has not been previously covered. Homework is definitely helpful, but for it to not be considered busy work it is important that the educator
Most students believe that they have too much homework and not a sufficient time to finish it on time and it’s killing them. In these two essays “Too Much Homework, Too Little Time” by user name Laxdoublek on Teenink.com and “Satire: Homework Epidemic” by Ellen Keith of Medford High School, have many similarities and differences about the topic homework. Their essays are for everyone to realize just how much homework students in school are given. Keith does a better job getting her point across to the reader than Laxdoublek.
When you think about school one of the first things that pops into people’s mind is homework. Basically if you have asked your parents or your grandparents they would say that they remember the homework load. Now we all know that homework can be beneficial but also can be very unhealthy with all of the stress that it causes. Over the years the homework load has increased because of the fact that schools think that they need to try to keep up with other countries in academics. And will doing all of this homework now be all for nothing later? The homework load has increased these past couple of years and it is causing a lot of stress on kids and overall is not helping their academics in the long run.
Homework has been an integral part of education since children started to be educated. Recently however, homework has begun to be assigned more and more often to students, especially in the United States, as it has begun to fall further and further behind countries like China, Singapore, and Japan. Homework is anything assigned by teachers to be completed by the students either at home, or just on their own time. The workload for students has gotten to the point where more and more parents are starting to notice the load for their kids has gotten to be too much. Many kids in high school, even 9th and 10th graders, can have 3 or even 4 hours of homework every night. In the past couple years, homework has gotten so out of control that parents are starting to speak out, and protest the amount of homework that students get each night (Marzano). In addition, studies have been done to determine the value of homework, but overall, the results are mixed at best (Kohn). Even studies that show a positive relationship between homework and test scores, among other things, show that homework is only effective when assigned in a moderate amount. Too much homework can be counter-productive, or have adverse effects on students. Students with too much homework can perform worse on tests, and develop serious physical and mental health problems from too much stress or lack of sleep.
"I didn’t feel [stressed] until I was in my 30’s. It hurts my feelings that my daughter feels that way at eleven" (Ratnesar 313). This statement describes the intense issue facing the American Education System today. More and more students are spending a lot of out of school time on enormous amounts of homework. The overabundance of homework is putting pressure on the students, along with their parents. Our nation has steadily focused on after school studying to the point of possible exhaustion. In this paper, I will attempt to explain how educators are relying on homework as the major form of education, and how the amounts are too demanding on the students.
“Did you know that homework is one of the greatest causes of student dropouts and failing” (Kralovek 39)? Since the beginning of the twentieth century, homework has been a major debate in America. “At first, the brain was seen as a muscle that could be trained by learning from homework and people enjoyed learning at home. This enthusiastic spirit did not last long since during the 1940’s, Professor Otto explained that, ‘Compulsory homework does not result in sufficiently improved academic accomplishment.’ When Sputnik was launched in the 1950’s, the United States feared that Russia would dominate the world in technology if homework continued to be unnecessary. This incident has partially shaped our country to compete more with other nations. Yet again, during the 1960’s, researchers and educators feared that needless pressure on students was a symptom of overdoing homework. Educator P. R. Wildman wrote in the late sixties that homework does not meet its expectations when it blocks out social experiences, creative activities, outdoor recreation, and deprives students of their recommended daily sleep” (Cooper 34, 38). Today, homework continues to grow in need for students entering high schools and higher education; nonetheless, concern has grown over its benefits for all, especially elementary children. There are many necessary life skills that homework can provide for everyone, which must be used appropriately and in moderation. According to researchers, such as Harris Cooper, homework should be limited, even though research approves of its increased effectiveness as students grow older. Overall, America has witnessed major problems with homework overdoses because many of America’s families have become disrupted, the urge to improve test scores does not always come from doing homework, different ages deal better with specific types of homework, and problems with student behavior and attention in and out of school may arise.
When a teacher always calls out that word terrifying word “homework”, moans and groans fill the classroom. Students start to slouch and lie their heads back, as teachers start to feel guilty for what they have done. You might say that homework will help teens and children to drill in the knowledge they’ve learned in school today, and help these kids learn some study habits. But let’s face it. The truth is that no student in any school loves homework. They have already spent their time in school focusing and learning for nothing, since homework is...
I stared at the row of C’s and D’s on my yellow report card for the third time, head shaking in disbelief. It couldn’t be! Not after a quarter of all-nighters bent over my desk. My teachers all said that my homework grades had added up before returning to the piles of unfinished grading on their own desks. My parents weren’t satisfied with my explanation, even when I pointed out that many of my friends suffered the same plight. Most kids and adults hate homework, whether they’re forced to do it, create it, or grade it. So far, their has been no concrete evidence against it. Yet schools continue to assign homework despite its widespread hatred and general ineffectiveness. All these negative experiences prove that homework must be banned on all grade levels, by law, if necessary, for the well-being of all children and adults in our public school system.
The amount of homework assigned has dramatically increased over the past few years. With new state standards and standardized testings, teachers are beginning to put more pressure on children. They are being sent home with six page packets and vocabulary words that are due the next day. Most children do not have the time or help to complete this much homework. Alfie Kohn’s The Truth About Homework states “Homework continues to be assigned - in ever greater quantities - despite the absence of evidence that it is necessary or even helpful in most cases.” Not only is all of this homework unnecessary, but it can have negative effects on the children as well.
The stressful school year has begun and the homework immediately starts to pile up. Some people might think hours of homework every night is necessary in helping students continue to learn and progress in that specific subject. “...homework can ensure that they are learning well morning, noon and night”, understanding that some adults want students to learn every night to ensure they know the material, however in most cases the overloading of homework tends to do the opposite. The rising problem starts to surface a lot during the years of fifth grade to high school. Complaining of homework starts to be the regular topic of interest in every conversation. Understanding that this can also be seen as students being lazy and not wanting to work, but the excessive amount every night in every subject
Students are finding themselves not having time to do other activities with the large amounts of homework they are receiving from their teachers. Large amounts of homework has been said to take a lot of time away from interacting with others, which could even lead to social alienation (Levy). Students are taking their time away from family and friends to do their homework. The students are put under the situation of picking between spending time with family and friends or spending that time doing homework. The immoderate amounts of homework is not only
Although homework may seem like drudgery, the hard work that is put into homework may pay off in the long run. In the article, “Does homework really work for students?” Jacqueline Carey, the mother of seventh grade student Micah Carey, stated that “homework gives [students] a good foundation for when they move on further in school” (Johnson). Not only that but according to Donyall Dickey, principle at Murray Hill Middle School, “if students do not acquire things in class, they will acquire them through homework” (Johnson). As we can see homework helps and prepares us for higher grade levels while in primary school that can possibly prepare us for college. It also helps us to remember the materials that were taught in class. Another reason homework can be beneficial is the fact that it can prepare us for tests and the dreadful pop-quiz that a teacher may randomly give us. This fact was proven, according to a 2006 study by Harris Cooper, director of Duke University’s Program in education, in the article “Homework or Not? That is the (Research) Question”. The studies instituted that “students who had homework performed better on class tests compared to those who did not” (DeNisco). Another compelling thing about homework, are the qualities a skills th...
Harris Cooper, a researcher on homework from Duke University, claims that too much homework causes stress. In this I paper will talk about the damaging effects homework has on a child, how homework causes students to dropout of school, and some ideas for an alternative to homework.
Homework places additional burdens on parents - who often don’t know how to help their children anyway - and on teachers, who have enough to do without having to collect, mark, and redistribute extra work for their students on top of that required by the curriculum in schools (Justin Coulson).
We all know the downfall of homework: the frustration and exhaustion, family conflict, time loss, and decreasing interest in learning. No study has ever demonstrated any academic achievement linked to assigning homework. There is also no support to the fact that homework provides nonacademic benefits at any age. Here are a few examples: building character, promoting self-discipline, or teaching good work habits. All teachers who assign homework want to believe that the gain outweighs the pain. Although, there is no evidence of that and they must rely on faith (“Homework: No Proven Benefits”, pg. 1). Michellea, a mother of a middle school student, says that some work can reinforce certain skills, but hours of homework are unhealthy and unproductive. Mominseattle agrees. She contemplates that such a heavy load can result in potential drawbacks to the students. Hours of homework a night plus a full day of school can be just as much work as an adult at a full-time job. She believes students should enjoy their childhood, as short as it already is. MagnetMom complains about how her daughter’s homework takes away her beneficial sleep. With busy families, like hers, they have many after school activities, so when they get home, they do not have time for too much homework. She says ...