What are parent’s view of homework? We queried 156,000 respondents survey comments to give you the key points, below.
Summary: There are significant and widespread concerns among Christian school constituents about the amount of homework assigned to students. Many parents and students feel that the current homework load is excessive and negatively impacts family life and student well-being.
(Reader Note: GraceWorks is taking advantage of the power of AI to provide experientially-proven, statistically-valid truth to common issues K-12 Christian schools face – based on a mountain of data of serving Christian schools exclusively since 2006.
We put this same power to work for your school, providing detailed practical solutions to satisfaction problems discovered through our nationally-normed Christian School Comprehensive Survey for parents, students, and teachers.)
Main Concerns and Viewpoints:
- Excessive Amount:
- Many parents and students state that there is too much homework assigned to students, with some students spending several hours each night on homework.
- Some parents report that their children are doing homework up until bedtime and that they have no time for anything else.
- Some parents feel that the amount of homework causes children to hate school.
- Impact on Family Time:
- Homework takes away from valuable family time, especially in the evenings and on weekends.
- Some families feel that the homework load forces them to rush through dinner or miss out on family activities.
- Parents want to be able to spend time with their children outside of school work.
- Impact on Extracurriculars:
- Many students are involved in extracurricular activities like sports, music, and church youth groups, and the heavy homework load makes it difficult for them to participate in these activities.
- Some parents noted that their children have to miss church or youth group because of homework.
- Stress and Burnout:
- Parents report that the excessive homework load causes stress, anxiety, and burnout in their children.
- Some worry that their children are being “killed” with homework.
- Some parents are concerned that the stress and pressure will cause students to rebel.
- Lack of Purpose:
- Some parents feel that some of the homework given to their children is “busy work” that doesn’t have a clear objective.
- Some parents also feel that too much homework is given with the purpose of keeping the teacher from falling behind in the curriculum.
- Age Inappropriateness:
- Many parents feel that homework assignments are not age-appropriate, particularly for younger students.
- They believe that young children need time to play and engage in other activities rather than spending hours on school work at home.
- Homework on Weekends and Breaks:
- Many parents express a desire for less or no homework on weekends, holidays, and breaks.
- Some feel that students need time to rest and recharge without the pressure of school work.
- Inconsistent Homework Loads:
- The homework load can vary significantly from teacher to teacher, and some also note that teachers may not communicate about workload levels, leading to an overwhelming amount of work on certain nights.
- Some parents suggest that teachers need to communicate better with each other to ensure that homework loads are more consistent and manageable.
- Homework on Church Nights:
- A specific concern for many Christian families is homework assigned on Wednesday nights due to church-related activities such as AWANA and youth group.
- Some sources note that the school handbook says that there should be no homework on Wednesdays, but some teachers don’t follow this rule.
- Some parents feel that schools should not undermine church programming by giving homework on church nights.
- Homework vs. In-Class Work:
- Many parents would prefer that more work be done in the classroom rather than sending it home as homework.
- Some parents feel that teachers should be doing their job of teaching during school hours, and that homework should only be for work not completed in class.
- Impact on Learning:
- Some parents feel that too much emphasis on homework does not help students learn and can lead to resentment, anxiety, and fear of school.
- Some feel that the homework given does not result in additional information being learned or retained.
- Some feel that the focus on quantity of homework causes students to not retain as much information as they otherwise would.
- Technology Issues:
- Some parents express concerns about the amount of time middle and high school students spend on computers doing homework, citing concerns about eye strain, neck and back pain, and a lack of awareness about student’s online activity.
- Some students feel they should be given a school-provided computer rather than having to use their phone.
- Parent Involvement:
- Some homework assignments and projects are not student-based, requiring too much parent involvement, and some parents have difficulty helping their students.
- Some also feel that they should not be required to spend their evenings doing homework with their kids.
Suggestions for Improvement
- Reduce the Amount of Homework:
- Many parents and students call for a reduction in the overall amount of homework assigned, particularly for younger students.
- Eliminate Homework on Certain Days:
- Some parents would like to eliminate homework on Wednesdays, weekends, and breaks.
- More In-Class Work:
- Some parents suggest that more class time should be used for working on assignments, rather than sending it home as homework.
- Better Alignment:
- Some parents suggest that teachers should align homework expectations with the actual time and effort required from students.
- Clear Communication:
- Schools should communicate clearly and consistently about homework expectations and policies to both parents and students.
- Some sources note that homework assignments and information are not available online.
- Focus on Understanding:
- Some parents suggest that teachers and schools need to focus on understanding concepts rather than simply memorization.
- Balance:
- Schools should strive to balance academics with other activities such as sports, arts, family time, and church involvement.
- Address Executive Function:
- Some parents feel that schools should provide support for executive function, as this can affect a student’s ability to manage homework.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while homework is generally seen as necessary to some degree, there is considerable concern that the current homework load in many Christian schools is excessive, negatively impacting family life, extracurricular activities, and student well-being. Constituents are looking for a more balanced approach that prioritizes both academic rigor and the holistic development of the child.
Homework Policy for Christian Schools
Purpose
The purpose of this homework policy is to establish guidelines that promote a balanced approach to homework, considering the well-being of students and the needs of families. This policy aims to ensure that homework is meaningful, age-appropriate, and manageable, while supporting academic growth and fostering a positive learning environment.
Homework Guidelines
- Amount of Homework
- Teachers will assign a reasonable amount of homework that is age-appropriate and manageable for students.
- For younger students, homework will be limited to 20-30 minutes per night.
- For older students, homework will not exceed 1-2 hours per night, including time for reading and other assignments.
- Purpose and Quality
- Homework will have a clear educational purpose and will not be assigned as busy work.
- Teachers will ensure that homework assignments reinforce classroom learning and help students develop important skills.
- Family Time and Extracurricular Activities
- Homework will be designed to allow students to participate in family activities, sports, music, and church youth groups.
- No homework will be assigned on Wednesdays to support church-related activities.
- Homework will not be assigned on weekends, holidays, or breaks to allow students time to rest and recharge.
- In-Class Work and Alignment
- Teachers will maximize class time for completing assignments and will only assign homework for work not completed in class.
- Teachers will align homework expectations with the actual time and effort required from students and will communicate with each other to ensure a consistent and manageable workload.
- Communication and Support
- Schools will clearly communicate homework expectations and policies to both parents and students.
- Homework assignments and information will be made available online for easy access.
- Schools will provide support for executive function to help students manage their homework effectively.
- Focus on Understanding and Balance
- Teachers will focus on understanding concepts rather than simply memorization in homework assignments.
- Schools will strive to balance academics with other activities such as sports, arts, family time, and church involvement.
- Technology Use
- Teachers will consider the impact of screen time on students and will provide alternatives to computer-based homework when possible.
- Schools will provide students with the necessary technology to complete homework without relying on personal devices.
- Parent Involvement
- Homework assignments will be student-based and will not require excessive parent involvement.
- Parents are encouraged to support their children’s homework efforts but are not expected to complete assignments for them.
Review and Feedback
This homework policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it continues to meet the needs of students and families. Feedback from parents, students, and teachers will be considered in making any necessary adjustments.
