Is Homework Really Necessary? 

Maybe.

     It is easy to find studies that show some correlation or no correlation between homework and academic performance. There are numerous studies that support both sides.  Evidently, there is no definitive answer. 

   Homework can definitely help kids study material they learned in class though. There is no doubt that homework solidifies learning and reinforces difficult concepts. Homework can also give kids a sense of responsibility.  That is, doing homework on a regular basis creates a sense of discipline and makes kids responsible for their learning.

    Some studies have shown a positive relationship between homework and student performance. For example:

·         Increased homework time resulted in higher grades for high school seniors of all ability levels. Also, through more homework time, lower achieving students achieved grades equal with those of higher achieving students. (Keith 1982)

·         One to two hours of homework a day correlated with the highest levels of reading performance for 13-year-olds. For 17-year-olds, reading scores increased as the amount of time spent on homework increased. Students spending more than two hours a night on homework showed the highest scores. (Ward et  Al)

·         Schools that assigned homework on a consistent basis showed higher overall academic scores than did schools that made little use of homework.

     On the other side of the argument, Alfie Kohn suggests that:

     “The negative effects of homework are well known.  They include children’s frustration and exhaustion, lack of time for other activities, and possible loss of interest in learning.  Many parents lament the impact of homework on their relationship with their children; they may also resent having to play the role of enforcer and worry that they will be criticized either for not being involved enough with the homework or for becoming too involved.”

     Researchers analyzed data from the Third International Study of Mathematics and Sciences (TIMSS), which in 1994 collected a large amount of data from schools in 41 nations across the fourth, eighth and 12th grades (Letendre, Baker, and Akiba).  Their findings showed a frequent lack of positive correlation between the average amount of homework assigned in a nation and corresponding level of academic achievement.

          Clearly, this debate cannot be settled by studies alone.  Personally, I believe in ‘meaningful’ homework.  That is, students should finish off work that is not completed in school (much like one would do with unfinished assignments from work).  Also, students should take a bit of time each night and review material learned in class.  By doing so, students will be reinforcing concepts and skills on a regular basis.