Illustration of three students on a city street. Two are worried and one is laying down

Illustration by RJ Matson; Debate photos courtesy of families

Do Kids Need Homework?

November 22, 2021

Let's face it, homework isn’t everyone’s favorite thing. But like it or not, it’s part of life for most students. A recent survey showed that U.S. students in kindergarten through eighth grade spend an average of nearly five hours per week doing homework.

Some school officials say homework is important because it helps students remember what they learn in the classroom. Many experts point out that it helps kids develop good study habits.

Some parents argue that homework helps them to determine whether or not their kids are falling behind.

But many schools across the U.S. are closing the book on homework. Some have cut down on the amount of nightly homework. Others have banned weekend assignments or eliminated homework entirely. Why? Many parents report that homework overload causes their kids to be stressed. Plus, some studies have shown that homework doesn’t actually help students perform better on tests.

Here’s what two of our readers think.

Homework is a valuable tool that allows students to practice what we learned. Without it, we might forget what we were taught in class, and that could cause our grades to suffer.

Plus, assignments show teachers whether or not kids understood the day’s lessons. That alerts them to the areas where kids need help.

Homework also teaches kids how to be responsible. If kids manage their time wisely, they’ll still have time for other activities.

Kids need a chance to rest and unwind after a long day of school. Too much homework can really cut into family time. It also leaves less time for other activities. Sometimes I want to join my friends who are playing outside, but I’m stuck inside doing homework.

I need to stay up late to finish my homework at least once a week. Other kids probably do too. If kids don’t get enough sleep, they’ll be too tired to pay attention in class the next day.