Frazzled by Homework?

Link: http://www.nasponline.org/resources/home_school/homework.aspx

Kids and parents are frazzled by homework! How much is too much? A long standing debate on the topic of homework begins as the new school year starts. I can relate to parents, kids and teachers as to how much homework is too much and who really needs the homework.

The parents of our country stand divided on the "How much is too much homework?" issue. Parents are constantly talking about the homework issue! Kids spend a lot of time on homework and some parents feel it is far too much time. High-stakes testing and reduced school budgets have caused educators to work harder and longer hours. With less to work with it has resulted in increased homework to get the job of learning done. Coupled with news that American students achieve below our international counterparts in Japan and China force schools to continue to put the pressure on.

Follow up:

Some parents suggest that there really is no true evidence that homework is helpful to a students achievement level. However, too much homework overwhelms the student and can create an environment which in turns disengages the student from learning and reduces the desire to learn.

A true balance between homework is necessary and can be helpful if designed so students can practice concepts taught in class that they still need to fully grasp. To build good study habits, and reflect on their own learning can be a tricky balance between how much the teacher assigns the student and how much the student needs.

Etta Kralovec, author of The End of Homework: How Homework Disrupts Families, Overburdens Children, and Limits Learning has provided an excellent message for parents who feel the conflict that homework delivers when the child has reached beyond their limits. Ending the family evening with frustration, tears and hours of stress. Some parents even admit that they complete the homework for their child to help reduce the stress in the home. A good resource for parents is Homework: A Guide for Parents.

If homework becomes a boiling point for you and your child and is causing extreme stress...it is time to talk to the classroom teacher and possibly bring in a tutor with professional educational talent who will support your child in the home environment until they can handle the work load on their own.