Why is Homework Important?

The case laid out above might seem to seal the deal on the argument, as it does offer valid arguments, but facts and statistics are hard to come by when the educational system varies across the country as much as it does. However, there are many teachable aspects of homework that are often looked over in the rhetoric against the assignments.

Here are 10 reasons why homework is important to student success:

Helps build responsibility. Some current buzzwords and phrases in the educational community are all about making students accountable and taking ownership of their learning. Homework helps kids do just that because they learn to take responsibility for their actions. When completed, they get the reward of earning a good grade, but face consequences in learning and in class when leave it by the wayside.
Develops work ethic from an early age. Children need to understand the value of hard work and to form the obligation and self-regulation to commit to their projects and see them through. That said, homework can help students form a hardy work ethic that they will take with them to college and beyond.
Improves time management. From kindergarten to senior year, kids and teens struggle to manage time and prioritize their to-do list. For young children, parents tend to these assignments to guide kids to develop this important skill. The goal for high school students means eventually learning how to manage multiple tasks to fit it in their schedule, and plan which will take longer or shorter depending on their skill level, strengths, or weaknesses.
Gives students confidence. Sometimes kids need to attempt problems or exercises on their own and realize that failure is an important part of the learning process. In working through math problems or constructing essays, students gain confidence and hone creative problem-solving skills.
Enhances self-esteem. Once children gain confidence that they can complete an assignment or perform a skill independently, they build a healthy self-esteem, which is important to many aspects of everyday life.
Teaches study habits. Students don’t enter kindergarten already knowing how to study. In fact, many kids still struggle with study habits when they enter high school! Consistent homework can help children realize the importance of practice, especially if their teachers provide timely feedback and offer tasks that directly relate to the unit quizzes or tests.
Can offer valuable feedback. When used correctly in the classroom, home assignments can result in meaningful classroom discussions or conferences. Teachers can meet one-on-one with students to discuss observations about progress, or use generalized whole-class feedback to offer students tips on how to improve.
Gets parents more involved in a child’s education. Like it or not, as a parent, homework forces us to stay on the same page with our children as they work through units and lessons. It also allows parents to contact the teacher if they notice their child struggling with any one subject or topic. Especially in the younger grades, at-home work can keep mom and dad informed about their children’s strengths and weaknesses, allowing for ample intervention opportunities, if necessary.
The link between homework and standardized test achievement. According to some recent studies, there is a modest positive link between students who successfully complete homework and success on state standardized tests. When taken further, it’s not hard to believe that students who take their work seriously and value their education naturally perform better on not only state testing, but in classwork as well.
Prepares students for professional careers. While most professions don’t require workers to take tasks home, there are indeed deadlines in the real world. Home assignments can help children prepare for the real world by teaching them to meet their obligations on time.

A More Balanced Approach

So how important is homework to student success, and what to kids really need to succeed? Ask most educational theorists, and they probably agree that homework, when given in moderation when and where appropriate, can be a useful tool to help kids learn and grow. The old adage “quality over quantity” applies to any home-based assignment, and timely feedback must be given to assist students learn the desired concept or skill. Students must understand the purpose and realize the relevancy for any assignment, whether done at home or in the classroom.

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