Are Students Given Too Much Homework

Death and taxes come later; what seems inevitable for children is the idea that, after spending the day at school, they must then complete more academic assignments at home. The predictable results: stress and conflict, frustration and exhaustion. Parents respond by reassuring themselves that at least the benefits outweigh the costs. But what if they don't? In The Homework Myth, nationally known educator and parenting expert Alfie Kohn systematically examines the usual defenses of homework--that it promotes higher achievement, "reinforces" learning, and teaches study skills and responsibility. None of these assumptions, he shows, actually passes the test of research, logic, or experience. So why do we continue to administer this modern cod liver oil -- or even demand a larger dose? Kohn's incisive analysis reveals how a mistrust of children, a set of misconceptions about learning, and a misguided focus on competitiveness have all left our kids with less free time and our families with more conflict. Pointing to parents who have fought back -- and schools that have proved educational excellence is possible without homework -- Kohn shows how we can rethink what happens during and after school in order to rescue our families and our children's love of learning.

Students have always complained about the amount of homework they've been given, but informed debates about homework and its impact on students' lives and mental health have become more common in recent years. Readers are encouraged to understand both sides of the debate and to form their own opinion as they explore informative main text and fact boxes featuring relevant statistics. A detailed graphic organizer and full-color photographs work with the unbiased text to create a relatable reading experience that challenges readers to strengthen their critical-thinking skills as they study different ways to view a topic that directly affects them.

Does assigning fifty math problems accomplish any more than assigning five? Is memorizing word lists the best way to increase vocabulary—especially when it takes away from reading time? And what is the real purpose behind those devilish dioramas? The time our children spend doing homework has skyrocketed in recent years. Parents spend countless hours cajoling their kids to complete such assignments—often without considering whether or not they serve any worthwhile purpose. Even many teachers are in the dark: Only one of the hundreds the authors interviewed and surveyed had ever taken a course specifically on homework during training. The truth, according to Sara Bennett and Nancy Kalish, is that there is almost no evidence that homework helps elementary school students achieve academic success and little evidence that it helps older students. Yet the nightly burden is taking a serious toll on America’s families. It robs children of the sleep, play, and exercise time they need for proper physical, emotional, and neurological development. And it is a hidden cause of the childhood obesity epidemic, creating a nation of “homework potatoes.” In The Case Against Homework, Bennett and Kalish draw on academic research, interviews with educators, parents, and kids, and their own experience as parents and successful homework reformers to offer detailed advice to frustrated parents. You’ll find out which assignments advance learning and which are time-wasters, how to set priorities when your child comes home with an overstuffed backpack, how to talk and write to teachers and school administrators in persuasive, nonconfrontational ways, and how to rally other parents to help restore balance in your children’s lives. Empowering, practical, and rigorously researched, The Case Against Homework shows how too much work is having a negative effect on our children’s achievement and development and gives us the tools and tactics we need to advocate for change. Also available as an eBook

Homework is the cause of more friction between schools and home than any other aspect of education and becomes the prime battlefield when schools, families, and communities view one another as adversaries. This comprehensive fourth edition tackles all the tough questions: What’s the right amount of homework? What role should parents play in the homework process? What is the connection between homework and achievement? This essential reference offers all stakeholders—administrators, teachers, and parents—the opportunity to end the battle and turn homework into a cooperative endeavor to promote student learning.

A groundbreaking approach to building learning habits for life, based on a major new study revealing what works – and what doesn’t Life is different for kids today. Between standardized testing, the Common Core Curriculum, copious homework assignments, and seemingly endless amounts of “screen time,” it’s hard for kids – and parents – to know what’s most essential. How can parents help their kids succeed – not just do well “on the test” -- but develop the learning habits they’ll need to thrive throughout their lives? This important and parent-friendly book presents new solutions based on the largest study of family routines ever conducted. The Learning Habit offers a blueprint for navigating the maze of homework, media use, and the everyday stress that families with school-age children face; turning those “stress times” into opportunities to develop the eight critical skills kids will need to succeed in college and in the highly competitive job market of tomorrow – skills including concentration and focus, time management, decision-making, goal-setting, and self-reliance. Along with hands-on advice and compelling real-life case studies, the book includes 21 fun family challenges for parents and kids, bringing together the latest research with simple everyday solutions to help kids thrive, academically and beyond.

"As a mother of three, this book's practical road map for helping our kids learn independently is invaluable. This should be a must-read for all parents." --Jenna Bush Hager Drawing on extensive experience as classroom teachers and the directors of their highly regarded tutoring business, Abby and Brian address a range of common frustrations caused by homework. They answer the most pressing questions on every parent's mind: How much should I get involved, what does constructive help look like, and how can I help my child work independently? Taking the Stress out of Homework breaks down for parents exactly when and how to offer homework support. Whether your child's stress point is executive functioning--the ability to plan or organize--or a subject-specific struggle in math, reading, writing, or standardized test-preparation, Abby and Brian use real-life stories to provide individualized, actionable advice. At the center of Abby and Brian's philosophy is encouraging students to break free of the "let's get to the answer already so that we can be done with the assignment" mindset; they focus instead on a process-oriented approach that fosters engagement and self-sufficiency both in and out of school. Filled with expert tips about how to build executive functioning and content skills, Abby and Brian share stress-reducing best practices so homework not only supports what kids are learning, but also helps build confidence and skills that last a lifetime.

Using US schools as a reference point, this book provides a description of schooling as a global institution. The authors draw on a four-year investigation conducted in 47 countries that examined many aspects of K-12 schooling. They discuss how world trends and the forces behind them will work to shape the directions education may take.

These books provide a range of opinions on a social issue; each volume focuses on a specific issue and offers a variety of perspectives, e.g., eyewitness accounts, governmental views, scientific analysis, newspaper accounts, to illuminate the issue.; This new addition to the At Issue series examines a variety of issues related to student homework. The title explores the impact of excessive homework on families, the relationship between academic pressure and student workload, and the impact of life les; Greenhaven Press's At Issue series provides a wide range of opinions on individual social issues. Enhancing critical thinking skills, each At Issue volume is an excellent research tool to help readers understand current social issues and prepare reports.