Is Homework Important to Education?

Homework Helps

Abigail O’Neil

It is time to say thank you to homework. Its value as a learning tool is often overlooked.

Homework is quite useful in measuring how much a student retained from that day’s class. It is beneficial to students and teachers when correctly used as a tool to evaluate progress.

Teachers can use the data from the accuracy of their student's homework to see if there are topics they should re-explain or if some students need extra help in certain areas.

The repetition of the content of homework outside of school hours gives the chance for deeper understanding of the material and a higher chance of memorization.

“Repetition is a well-documented trigger for memory formation—the more times something is repeated, the better it is remembered,” NYU’s Nikolai V. Kukushkin said.

The best time to start learning study skills is at a young age. As students grow, it is important they have well developed habits so they are prepared for the rigor of high school and college.

Homework should be a quick assessment of that day's work.

When used this way, it shouldn't be more than about two hours total after school, leaving most of the evening for teens

Homework also teaches students the need for organization, following directions, and independent problem-solving.

The call to get rid of homework stems from the students whose teachers do not use it as a tool to measure proficiency, but instead as something to teach new content. When misused, homework becomes dreaded by students as it overwhelms their workload and impacts mental health by increasing stress.

Having both extracurriculars and homework reinforces the importance of responsibility and prioritization. When homework is given in manageable amounts it still provides enough time for students to be involved in extracurriculars.

In the end, when homework is properly used, it is beneficial to students and teachers alike.

The Vista Staff

Volume 72 Issue 4

Co-Editors:

Gina Napoli and Sammie Paris

New Staff Members:

Cecelia Crandall

Cricket Lindsley

Abigail O’Neil

Adviser: Mrs. Julie Sells

Homework Hurts

Cecelia Crandall

Young students are pushed to the limits to be ‘fully-rounded individuals’ with good grades and extracurriculars under their belt. Adding homework to the mix is unnecessary overtime.

From an early age, most students are academically challenged from 8 a.m. into the evening due to the large amounts of homework. This may include learning new ideas, applying what they learned in school that day to new problems, or studying for an upcoming test or quiz.

Some children may have extracurricular activities such as student council, performance art clubs, volunteer work, or sports that each have their own times and challenges. These activities are respectable and enriching in their own right and should not have to be put on the back burner for academics.

Almost all extracurriculars take place after school and take an hour or two on average. After these are over, the students can finally start their homework, but the time it takes to start the homework encroaches on familial activities.

“I can’t count the number of shared evening, weekend outings and dinners that our family has missed and will never get back,” Time Magazine Writer Vicki Abeles said.

“Being with family gives you the feeling of knowing that you belong […] which gives a sense of meaning and purpose. This assurance gives motivation to push forward, grow, and succeed,” Dr. Todd Thatcher of Highland Springs Clinic said. If kids are in their rooms studying for hours on end, how will they learn a sense of purpose?

Schools may not mean to take students away from their families and other interests, but it is clear the students of the current era are being unreasonably pushed outside the school building.

Instead of pushing endless work to young students, schools should make sure work is done within school hours so they can cultivate other interests to prepare for later life choices

Editor’s Corner

Hello fellow Eagles!

The year is almost over, and I am so sad to see my co-editor, Gina, go. The Vista wishes her, and all the seniors, a summer to remember before moving on to college.

This year has been one of my favorites, and I cannot thank you all enough for the love and support you have given me, as well as the stories we have shared with you.

I will be returning next year as your editor, and myself, along with our new team of reporters, cannot wait to bring you all things ‘Notre Dame Academy.’

You are all amazing, and I know you can make it through these last few weeks!

With love, Sammie :)