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My 15-year-old son, a sophomore in high school, seldom has homework. To clarify, he does have assignments, but they’re manageable enough to finish between classes and on the bus ride home. He’s enrolled in all honors classes and one Advanced Placement (AP) course, yet his teachers strive to limit homework, focusing on maximizing learning during class time and only assigning relevant work for mastering the subject matter.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for many of my son’s friends. Several of them attend a well-known public school for its academic rigor, where students often face up to six hours of homework each night, including weekends. Teachers frequently assign work over breaks, and the school, ranked third in Florida and around 60 nationally, is recognized for its demanding curriculum. Many believe that the school’s environment is only suitable for a specific type of student, with accusations that they encourage “B” students to transfer to maintain their prestigious ranking.
As a violin instructor, I’ve heard from one of my students’ parents that they often stay up past 1 a.m. to complete homework. They have even had to forgo cherished extracurricular activities due to the overwhelming homework load. The dilemma? Leaving the school means losing their friends, and for a teenager, that’s a tough choice.
While this school represents an extreme case, it highlights a broader issue of excessive homework in education. A TikTok video featuring a girl visibly exhausted after hours of homework recently caught my attention. She was on her fifth hour of work, with at least another hour ahead of her. Her mother posted the video to illustrate the toll such a workload takes on families.
Teenagers Need Balance Too
Adults often discuss the necessity of work-life balance, emphasizing the importance of having evenings free for relaxation. Yet, some schools seem to disregard the need for similar breaks for teenagers. My violin student’s late nights concern me; sleep is crucial for teenagers who are still growing and developing. Insufficient sleep can lead to mood swings, impulsivity, and poor decision-making, with long-term implications for mental health and physical well-being.
Some parents and school officials argue that the intense workload is worth it, especially for students vying for college acceptance and scholarships. The belief is that rigorous homework prepares students for the real world and enhances their academic competitiveness. Homework is seen as a necessary tool to reinforce classroom lessons and build academic resilience.
Before my son entered seventh grade, I shared this mindset as well, wishing he could attend that competitive school. Now, I’m grateful that his name wasn’t drawn in the lottery. He has no desire to apply again, and I’m not sure I would support it if he did.
Is Homework Beneficial or Detrimental?
Research on the effectiveness of homework yields mixed results, influenced by factors such as a child’s age, school quality, socioeconomic status, and the nature of the assignments. No correlation has been established between homework at the elementary level and academic success. However, in high school, a reasonable amount of quality homework can enhance learning.
It’s worth noting that the movement to reduce homework often comes from affluent families witnessing their children struggling under heavy workloads, while in economically challenged areas, parents request more homework to foster a connection to school and stimulate challenges for their kids.
Striking a Balance on Homework
More frequently, videos like the one I mentioned illustrate parents feeling overwhelmed by their children’s homework demands. Although some homework can be beneficial—experts recommend no more than 10 minutes per grade level per night—excessive assignments can be harmful.
A teenager working on homework until 1 a.m. is unacceptable. My student should not have to sacrifice joining a local youth symphony because every moment outside school is consumed by homework. No child should miss out on family time because they’re locked away working late into the night, and certainly no parent should have to comfort a crying teenager after a marathon study session.