Pro/Con: Does Homework Promote Learning?

YES

By: Camp Daniels

Homework is a universal concept present in most levels of education. Many students see it as a punishment, but I think that it’s far from it. 

In my opinion, homework is beneficial: teaching students important habits and life skills. To succeed after high school, students will need to stay organized, manage their time, and be disciplined– all of which homework helps to teach. It also teaches accountability. When homework isn’t done, students often do not truly learn and apply what it is they’re being taught. This is reflected in poor test scores. Homework helps solidify knowledge,  and by going above and beyond at home, students will learn that hard work pays off. 

From 1987 to 2003, a study was led by Harris Cooper, a professor of psychology at the University of Duke. The study explored the effects of homework on academic achievement. For high school-level kids, homework was linked to better performance. For middle school-level kids, the link was weaker, and for elementary-level kids, there was little to no link at all, per the same research team. 

Homework also teaches students to work independently. Doing work in the classroom with help from peers and teachers is a lot different than working individually. While teamwork and communication are good skills as well, doing work independently teaches students crucial problem-solving and critical thinking skills that can be applied to their remaining education and in future careers. ¨I think some classes may have the need for homework. If you´re productive in my classes, you should not get homework as we have plenty of class time allotted for our projects. But on the other hand there are some classes that may have homework that may be necessary to succeed,¨ Mrs. Mellott, marketing and business teacher, said.

It’s often said that practice makes perfect. For subjects like math, the best way to improve is to do practice problems. In a trial published in Sage Journals, in 2016, 7th Grade students from 43 schools were randomly given additional math homework. Compared to a control group in which students were not given additional homework, the standardized test scores from the group with extra homework were significantly higher.

Unfortunately, many schools are using homework for all the wrong reasons. Until schools and students understand that homework should not be used as a punishment, the benefits will not be maximized.

NO

By Ella Dykstra

Homework academic benefits have been debated since the 1800s, according to Texas Children's Hospital, and I believe that it’s just another weight added onto our back in high school. 

According to a study conducted by Stanford University, which included 4,300 responses, students in high achievement communities spend too much time on homework which leads to more stress, physical health issues, and a lack of balance in their lives. This study also states that if homeworks exceeds two hours it’s claimed to be counterproductive. With that being said, students who participated in this study spend a little more than three hours a night on homework. 70 percent of students said they were often or always stressed over school work. And, more than 80 percent of students reported that they have endured at least one stress related symptom, which includes: headaches, exhaustion, sleep deprivation, weight loss, and stomach issues. This study also found that spending a superabundant amount of time on homework leads students to lack in their development needs and life skills. This can also cause the student to forgo activities or to stop seeing friends and family. Another study, conducted by Frontiers in Psychology, found that more than two-thirds of students use alcohol and drugs, primarily marijuana, to cope with the stress of homework. 

The National Center for Education Statistics found that students get around 6.8 hours of homework a week. And, according to the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) that is too much time spent on homework. This may also lead to a poor performance on tests or quizzes. Additionally, a study from the University of Virginia found that there was no drastic difference in grades between the students who completed homework and those that did not. 

In conclusion, homework seems to lead to negative outcomes rather than positive. We already have to undergo the social stress of high school, why should we add more?