Should Middle Schools Do Away With Homework? 

Imagine this: No homework. EVER. It may sound like a fantasy, but a growing number of schools nationwide are doing away with homework. 

Several educators cite research showing that piles of worksheets and reading logs don’t help kids succeed academically—and that many assignments are little more than busywork. Even worse, they argue, too much homework prevents students from participating in after-school clubs and sports, getting to bed on time, and spending time with their friends and family. 

But many other people say that doing some homework each night is beneficial. For one thing, after-school assignments teach students how to budget their time and improve their study habits. Working independently also helps young people become more self-reliant and sharpens their critical-thinking skills. Plus, supporters say, homework allows teachers and parents to measure students’ knowledge.

Should middle schools do away with homework altogether? Two education experts weigh in.

Would it surprise you to learn that some middle school students spend more time in class and doing homework than many adults put in at their 40-hour-a-week jobs? That’s right, the daily grind of homework pushes many kids to put in as much time as overworked adults.  

Yet research shows that all that extra time spent doing homework isn’t even helping students academically—and it’s hurting their health. One recent study concluded that middle schoolers who were assigned 90 to 100 minutes of homework per day did worse on math and science tests than students who did just 60 minutes’ worth. Another study found that having to complete too many after-school assignments can leave kids stressed out and sleep-deprived—two factors we know hinder learning.

Homework also takes time away from other important things that contribute to a well-rounded childhood: family dinners, hanging out with friends, playing outdoors, and plain old rest.   

That’s why we should challenge our schools to let kids do practice exercises and projects during the school day, not after the bell rings. An all-out ban on homework would be best so students and teachers would have more time for other meaningful activities. If teachers must assign homework, such tasks should be the exception, not the rule. Further, students should have the right to opt out of an assignment if they need to make time for something more important or to prioritize their health.

In the end, students deserve to clock out after their school day so they can relax, get to bed on time, and stay healthy.   

—Vicki Abeles 
Author of Beyond Measure: Rescuing an Overscheduled, Overtested, Underestimated Generation and director of the documentary Race to Nowhere

A few schools have recently cut out homework. But having students do some assignments each school night is important.  

I’ve been studying the effects of homework for many years. Research shows that kids who do an appropriate amount of homework each night perform better in class than those who don’t. Think about your experiences with homework. Don’t you get high­er scores on vocabulary and math tests when you practice at home beforehand? These positive effects become even more beneficial as you get older. 

Doing homework also teaches you how to manage your time and the importance of finishing what you start. It helps you learn how to work independently, solve problems, and find answers on your own. That sets you up to be a lifelong learner. And even more important, homework teaches you that learning doesn’t happen just in the classroom. 

In addition, doing homework builds study habits. To stay on top of all of your assignments, you have to be organized and disciplined. These skills will be even more critical when you’re in high school and college. Homework is also a good way for your parents and teachers to track your progress, and decide when to step in if you need help.

But too much homework can definitely be a bad thing. It can get in the way of activities you enjoy, including sports, after-school activities, volunteer work, or just relaxing. That’s why experts recommend that middle school teachers assign no more than 60 to 90 minutes of homework per school night.

For many students, homework is rarely fun (though some projects can be). But it pays off in the long run. You’ll look back and be glad you did it!  

—Harris Cooper
Professor of psychology and neuroscience, Duke University, and author of The Battle Over Homework