Essay by Jared Mollenbeck, Grade 12
All I wanted to do was rest after a long day of school and football practice. However, I had a big AP American Government test the next day and I didn't know anything about Federalists, Anti-Federalists, and Shay's Rebellion. I knew something had to be done, so I whipped out my notebook and dug into the evening's assignments. After plugging through a tedious worksheet and reading through the textbook, I finally felt I grasped the topic. The next day I aced the test and learned a very important lesson.
Although homework may be frustrating, it cannot be eliminated because it teaches discipline and instills learning.
When appropriate homework is assigned, it is very beneficial, not harmful. In Claudia Wallis' article, "The Myth About Homework", Wallis said, "A rising tide of dull, useless assignments is oppressing families and making kids hate learning." This statement may be true to a small extent, but not all homework is dull and useless. Every assignment I have completed in high school has benefited me in one way or another. Perhaps at times homework can be boring, but I would argue that it is never completely useless. Although there may be a few assignments every school year that seem to lack value, there are not nearly enough to "oppress families and make kids hate learning" as Wallis said. Consequently, I believe that homework does much more to help students learn than to hinder their desire to learn.
Another way to understand the importance of homework is by comparing it to practice. Throughout my lifetime I have practiced for sports, music, drama, and numerous other things. During these practices I have received individual instruction in order to improve. My coaches and instructors have not merely told me what to do, but they have made me practice in order to improve. By the time the performance comes around I am prepared to do my best. The same can be said regarding homework. Teachers can lecture, discuss, or use any other methods of education, but students will learn very little without homework. In addition, students can listen to teachers all day, but nothing will be retained in the long run without completing assignments. Worksheets, essays, and projects are often disliked, but they play a valuable roll in education. By completing assignments, students will retain information and learn more. Consequently, homework and practice are very similar because both prepare students for the final performance by increasing preparation and understanding.
Even though homework can become stressful for students and families, the positive effect it has on students' achievements is more important. However, Claudia Wallis disagrees by saying, "Duke University's Harris Cooper, concluded that homework does not measurably improve academic achievement." I cannot comprehend this statement in any way because my experiences have yielded completely different results. Last school year, I enrolled in an AP Macroeconomics class and I was beleaguered because I was assigned numerous assignments. Almost every day I spent two hours to keep up with the rigorous class schedule that did not even include study time. Throughout the second semester, dropping the class seemed like a reasonable idea. However, I stuck with it and battled through the excessive homework.
Although taking the class was the most demanding experience of my life, it was very rewarding. When the AP exam rolled around, I received a top notch score and received six hours of college credit. I strongly believe that my success was not achieved by natural ability, but by the homework that forced me to learn and understand key concepts of economic theory. Even though the class was stressful, the college credit and understanding I gained was infinitely more valuable.
Though many students hate homework and find it useless, I do not stand alone with my opinion. Traci Harms, a student who strives for nothing but the best at Hampton-Dumont High School, also finds homework beneficial. She said, "Sometimes homework can become overwhelming, but for the most part teachers are not unreasonable when handing out assignments." Also, Harms agreed that homework helps students achieve more by ingraining concepts into students' minds. "If I wasn't assigned homework in school, I would not learn much. Students need to work on assignments at home in order to reinforce what teachers explain in the classroom," Traci said. Homework is unpopular but its benefits are impossible to miss. Educators need to realize that decisions should be made according to what is best for the students, not by what is popularized by the students.
While I disagree with most of Wallis' comments, I do believe she is right in saying that homework "builds study habits, self discipline, and time-management." The main purpose of homework is obviously learning, but it also serves several other purposes. Teaching important qualities like responsibility and self-discipline is much needed for today's generation, and assigning homework is an easy way to accomplish this. In addition, homework has taught me the need for organization and time-management. Throughout high school I have learned that time is very limited. Consequently, every evening I have to plan how much time I will spend finishing assignments and enjoying myself. Time management is an important skill that everyone needs to learn at some point, and there is not a better time than in high school. Without these disciplines, students will not only struggle in school, but also in the work force. The need for homework is made even clearer when one realizes the importance it plays in learning and developing responsible young people.
Claudia Wallis proposed some radical ideas about the harmful effects of homework and I still disagree with her. Homework has proved to be beneficial in my own experiences by increasing my understanding and knowledge in many classes. In addition, homework is just as necessary for retention as practice is for athletic and musical success. It is also impossible to overlook the important qualities homework teaches students such as responsibility, self-discipline, time-management, and good study habits. When properly used, homework enhances students' knowledge, and consequently, it must remain a staple in education.
How do you feel about homework? Click on comments below and share your opinions!