Originally published in the The Sentinel News, Shelbyville (KY).

By Paul Barnwell

Several times this year, I have heard coworkers lament the fact their young children are, at times, swamped with homework assignments.  I have spoken to parents who struggle to help students complete potentially confusing assignments.  There are often disputes over homework because “zeroes” are entered in grade books for missing homework.  And, of course, I hear daily student complaints about that dreaded “H” word. 

I believe the complaints are generally justified, especially if homework has the effect of decreasing student interest in learning.  After reading a book titled The Homework Myth by Alfie Kohn, I’m convinced that, all things considered, daily homework is not a good thing for elementary and middle school students. 

Kohn carefully outlines his case in The Homework Myth.  For all the talk about research-based teaching strategies we are supposed to implement as teachers, NO studies exist supporting the claim that homework results in more learning for elementary and middle school students.  That’s right, the entrenched status-quo of assigning homework apparently has little or no value to increase student academic achievement—a shocking statement for those of us so used to the practice.   What about other possible benefits of homework?

If positive effects of homework are largely mythical, what about the old adage that homework “builds character”?  No studies exist to support this claim either, according to Kohn.  Let’s think about a definition of character for a moment, if you are still puzzled or taken aback by this argument.  Does it build character to obediently finish homework every night?  Should young children—even middle school students—even be worried about the concept of time management at home if they are swamped with homework?  They’re kids, for crying out loud. 

What I’ve observed at the workplace doesn’t support any claim that nightly homework is beneficial, either.  I often catch middle school students swapping homework worksheets to copy answers.  I know many teachers offer homework passes as rewards, so how important could the work be? At parent teacher conferences, many parents assume during that if their child doesn’t have homework, then learning isn’t taking place.  Questions about the nature of the homework assignment, however, are rarely asked. 

Turns out parents shouldn’t be concerned if their children have is a lack of homework—in fact, it could be a reason to celebrate for those parents of elementary and middle school students.  Instead of laboring for hours on end over tough assignments at home, time could be freed up for conversation and other meaningful family activities.  Is homework the best way for young children and middle school students to spend their out of school time?  What about playing with friends, helping to prepare meals, taking care of the family pet, sharing a good bedtime story, or writing a letter to a relative?  Does it have to be "homework" from school to be valuable?

Despite what I’ve argued, I don’t believe all homework is useless.  I have attempted to design authentic, meaningful homework full of opportunities for student choice.  Students complete independent reading, and the generate projects such as power points, movies, letters, posters, and other means for displaying higher-level thinking skills.  The projects are due every three to four weeks, and I devote a lot of time to critiquing the student work (which I don’t mind doing of course, because I’m not grading and collecting nightly homework).  Students are not allowed to use homework passes for these projects.

Like many status-quos in education, homework policies should be examined and revised. The way it always has been is hardly a justification to continue many of our current practices.  If you’re a parent or teacher frustrated by homework, you’re not the only one. 

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