Homework has been researched in the past years quite a bit. But now, the real question is, does homework really benefit students? Research and students’ opinions have been discovered, let’s dig in!
Developmental psychologist Janine Bempechat has expressed, “In recent years a conversation has been held with the parents and teachers of kids, and they’re saying it makes the kids too stressed out. Homework is complicated.” This information is provided by Boston University Alumni Magazine. There are also good things about homework that have been said, for example, homework improves students’ achievements, and it sets students up to be prepared as well as organized, heard from Britannica.com.
Let’s hear what kids and teachers in middle school have to say about this! 8th grader Heer Patel has claimed, “It does benefit because it helps the students get good practice.”
8th grader Charlotte Warren has said, “No because it can get stressful.”
Now 7th grade teacher Mr. Heffington has expressed, “I think homework “can” be beneficial for some students, but I think it is an ineffective measure of actual learning. Some students have an environment that is conducive to being able to complete homework: a safe and quiet place, a parent that can help if needed, and time to complete it. There is a population of students that do not have an effective space to complete homework, or they don’t have a parent that can help them. Sometimes parents think they are helping, and they teach incorrect information that only confuses the student more. As a teacher, I would rather students have the time and support to complete their assignments in class. If they need help, I can help them. Suppose a student has a difficult home life or a busy extra-curricular schedule. In that case, they are often penalized for not completing the homework or doing it incorrectly without the opportunity to learn the material.”
Finally, 7th grade teacher Mrs. O’Connor has said, “Yes, to a point. If a new skill or concept is covered in class, independent practice of the new skill or concept is necessary in order for a student to truly master it. With that being said though, independent practice can happen in class, OR at home. “Homework” will only benefit students that actually do it. The problem with life in 2025 is that people are over-scheduled and very busy, and it seems that homework completion per class is not a priority now-a-days. The truth is some students simply won’t do work outside of the school day. For those students, homework definitely hurts their grade and does not help them in mastering the skills.
Because of these reasons, “homework” in my class is nearly always to finish up classwork that was not completed by the time the bell rings. I almost never assignment something that is meant to be done 100% of class while students are at home. If students use their class time wisely, homework can be avoided most of the time.”
After hearing all of this, what is your opinion about homework benefiting students?
