Sep 26, 2024
As the new school year gets underway, debate in the parenting community over homework continues. Some educators, experts and parents agree homework can be a negative source of undue stress while others believe it is necessary to reinforce classroom concepts. It has been eliminated in many districts but others continue to assign work outside of class. We asked our readers to share their opinions. A selection is included below.
Q. Does homework really help students learn and reinforce classroom concepts or does it contribute to added stress?
I think if it’s short and focused, homework really helps, but if it’s requiring too much time then it’s just stressful. - Ariana Martin (Right)
Added stress. Some parents don't know how to help and can just confuse the kids even more. - Amber Henson (Left)
Evidence shows that homework is not statistically relevant to improved comprehension. I genuinely don’t look forward to my children going back to school because of the amount of homework they receive. - Lindsey Panick
Yes, homework helps students however in moderation. It enforces responsibility. - Leticia Noyola (Right)
Independent work is great, but after 7 hours in a classroom, I’d hope that amount of time is sufficient. - Sheila Lemburg
I love bonding with my kids by helping them with schoolwork. A moderate amount of homework is helpful. However, when there’s too much, it tends to affect the quality of our family life. - Nina Ha
I think it only becomes stressful when you let your children have a bad attitude about doing it. There's always going to be things in life that we don't like to do, but they have to be done. - Regina Galvez (Left)
Homework prepares children for tests and exams. - Summer Taylor
Homework is incredibly beneficial to learning and retention, but in appropriate amounts. What is appropriate - only the teacher can know based on the student's comprehension. - Susan Holland
I believe it adds more stress! Most kids will kick and fight to do homework and not intake any of it. They learn much better when they are at a school environment. - Rynette Patalsky
A small amount of homework that is reviewed later in class can be beneficial. - Denise Alatorre (Right)
No, it does not help! Homework stresses out the students because it’s like being in school all day. Students can only take so much in a classroom and sometimes they don’t have someone to help them at home. - Christine Gonzalez
Even though it can be stressful, I think it helps. I believe practicing something is an important part of learning. - Ruth Miles
I believe homework is useful to help students learn. That's how I grew up and learned. But it also depends on the workload. A workload can cause a kid stress. - Wendy Hernandez (Left)
It's good practice for students but they don't need a lot. - Kara Heath
I think homework is more just like busy work. It doesn't teach useful skills. It just teaches kids how to be stressed and try to rush things. Group projects, in contrast, have a positive effect on children's learning. They learn how to work together, how to delegate and split up jobs, and they usually learn the topic a lot deeper than just through busy work homework. - Trina Jernigan
Q. Does homework really help students learn and reinforce classroom concepts or does it contribute to added stress?
Ariana Martin
Amber Henson
Evidence shows that homework is not statistically relevant to improved comprehension. I genuinely don’t look forward to my children going back to school because of the amount of homework they receive. - Lindsey Panick
Leticia Noyola
Independent work is great, but after 7 hours in a classroom, I’d hope that amount of time is sufficient. - Sheila Lemburg
I love bonding with my kids by helping them with schoolwork. A moderate amount of homework is helpful. However, when there’s too much, it tends to affect the quality of our family life. - Nina Ha
Regina Galviz
Homework prepares children for tests and exams. - Summer Taylor
Homework is incredibly beneficial to learning and retention, but in appropriate amounts. What is appropriate - only the teacher can know based on the student's comprehension. - Susan Holland
I believe it adds more stress! Most kids will kick and fight to do homework and not intake any of it. They learn much better when they are at a school environment. - Rynette Patalsky
Denise Alatorre
No, it does not help! Homework stresses out the students because it’s like being in school all day. Students can only take so much in a classroom and sometimes they don’t have someone to help them at home. - Christine Gonzalez
Even though it can be stressful, I think it helps. I believe practicing something is an important part of learning. - Ruth Miles
Wendy Hernandez
It's good practice for students but they don't need a lot. - Kara Heath
I think homework is more just like busy work. It doesn't teach useful skills. It just teaches kids how to be stressed and try to rush things. Group projects, in contrast, have a positive effect on children's learning. They learn how to work together, how to delegate and split up jobs, and they usually learn the topic a lot deeper than just through busy work homework. - Trina Jernigan
