Homework Overload
Based on how far behind we are with our education standards in comparison to other
countries, it is obvious that the United States needs to consider making improvements to advance
further in this area. Many experts believe that the best way to improve our education system and
our nation’s ranking is to continue giving students a large amount of homework. These experts
and other proponents of homework think that decreasing the amount of homework given to
children will leave them unprepared for standardized testing that has become the acceptable way
of determining the success of students and teachers and that regular homework “foster the
development of time-management skills, initiative, and discipline” (“Homework”, Issues &
Controversies). Some people believe that continuing to give large amounts of homework is one
of the best ways to keep children sharp and improve their overall education. However, other
researchers have differing viewpoints about homework in education. The assignment of
homework in education is not beneficial because it causes children to miss out on important
extracurricular activities, it prevents children from having sufficient quality time with their
families, and it has been proven that it does not benefit the outcome of academic success.
There is no doubt that academics are very important to young children. There are,
however, many other things that are equally important, such as physical activity and social
interactions. Assigning large quantities of homework can often prevent children from having
time to participate in any extracurricular activities outside of school hours. If a child spends
multiple hours after school completing homework assignments, there is very limited time to
participate in physical activities, which are just as important in the development of children.
Wendy Ponte, in her article, “Excessive Homework Strains Family Life,” includes a study by the
Center for Disease Control and Prevention which concludes that academics are improved when
children are able to participate in physical activity. In addition to the academic benefits of
allowing children to have time to participate in extracurricular activities, such as sports, Ponte
writes that benefits come with such activities. She believes that children learn self-discipline,
team work, how to follow instructions, and many other skills that are necessary in life, as well as
school. When children are subjected to excessive amounts of homework, after a full day in class,
Ponte says they simply do not have the necessary time to participate in these types of activities,
which can be just as beneficial to them both academically and physically. In addition to missing
out on these types of activities, children are also not allowed time to socialize when they are
required to have their heads glued to text books and worksheets after a long day in class.
According to Ponte, “For children, socializing with their peers is truly a laboratory for learning.”
which allows children the opportunity to “learn what works and does not work in human
