Last week, Jay Matthews, in his Extra Credit column for the Washington Post, defended the practice of assigning homework. I’m not against homework (we homeschoolers do a lot of it). And I could go into all of the positive benefits of some time spent each day on homework outside of class. But how much is too much? Is it, as Mr. Matthews asks, when it cuts into TV time? I have not yet read the books in question, but surely their only attack against homework is not based on a child’s “need” to watch television?
“Why should mounds of homework be the strategy for keeping children engaged productively all their waking hours? I’m dying for my secondary-aged sons to have enough free time that I can say to them, ‘No you can’t watch TV right now. Come with me on a walk or play your drums or…’
Indeed. There are productive activities outside of school, and the time-management of children should be under parental control, not the state’s. But Matthews doesn’t like his “self-aware” audience. And he doesn’t think children can develop a taste for learning.
Unlike Ms. Wharton, I don’t believe it is possible to inspire a joy in learning in the majority of American teenagers. Some will go in that direction, but most will stampede out and not do much of anything unless you corral them for a couple of hours each day and make sure they read and do whatever school requires.
Time also has an interesting article on the subject. And I agree. If so many parents are dismayed, stressed and upset with their schools, why aren’t they taking action? I know schools are under heavy pressure under No Child Left Behind, but local school boards are also under pressure from voters. Which would be the parents.
Principled Discovery is a place to stop and discuss news and information related to faith, family and particularly education. Pour yourself a cup of tea and join the conversation! 
What I dislike about homework is the “one size fits all” / every child must have homework, regardless of what the children actually NEED.
My son is at the top of his class - his homework is the same as the children who are struggling with reading, or math concepts. In fact, his teacher has all of the homework assignments planned for the entire year. He’s in 1st grade, and he spends 45 min-1 hour on it (I can’t imagine how long struggling students must spend!) He has a math sheet, a reading text book assignment, read a book, a long term week project or report, and a spelling/word making activity. Every night.
I have him do half an hour or so and that’s it. And sometimes I skip the teacher homework and assign my own. He’s in first grade now, it doesn’t matter so much… but when he’s older?
He get home from school at 3 pm. I let him play for an hour, then homework and home chores at 4, then dinner at 5:30, then bed at 7. So it’s not like he’s swimming in down time! I get mad sometimes - I mean he’s at school for 7 hours plus 1 and half hours bus time. Can’t they get the job done in 7 hours without sending it home too?
Mama Says
I feel for you there. I was looking at some of the statistics on homework and how it has increased 51% since 1981! And the bulk of that increase has hit elementary school kids.
I actually ended up having a conference with my principal because I didn’t send enough homework for my students…in PreK!
Dana,
If the truth be known, I had considered homeschooling on numerous occasions and I had opted for the government school. I felt I needed the disability services the schools offered and my insurance didn’t pay for.
Homework is what finally sent me over the edge. We don’t have a TV so that isn’t what I wanted my daughter freed up to do. I just got tire of having 1+ hour of math every night. Reteaching concepts that she didn’t get in school and then starting on science, social studies, plus 30 minutes of reading she was supposed to do every night… it was a nightmare.
In my opinion there is more to learn than what can be taught in a textbook. My daughter was 13 and could add and subtract, but didn’t understand how to use those skills to balance a checkbook. The schools had taught her basic cooking skills, but she couldn’t plan a healthy menu, shop within a budget and put meals on the table. I could go on, but I have a feeling I am typing to the choir.
The government school requirements were eating into the time I had available to prepare her to live.
Julie, you can type to the choir any time you wish! I’ve been reading some interesting things on special ed, recently. On the one hand, I’ve heard many start with public school for special needs children because they felt they needed the services. And I know a few who receive partial services through the school system. I definitely understand.
On the other hand, I just read that a lot of parents are so dismayed with the special ed instruction at school that this alone is driving them to consider homeschooling where they wouldn’t have otherwise.
I am a Senior in high school and it is scary how much time at home I have spent on homework and projects over the last four years. Some nights I was up to 2 in the morning trying to finish projects. It is ridiculous how much work kids are getting these days. I think that schools should lighten up the load a little bit.