Should Homework Be Abolished in Public Schools? - Essay Sample

Introduction

The importance and effectiveness of homework is a question that comes around at the start of every school year. It is a topic that almost everyone is fighting about, including educators, students, and parents. People who support homework assignments argue that it acts as a window through which parents and teachers of the students can gauge their attitude towards the academics. Homework also reflects the value of participation of the students in the classrooms. People who oppose homework assignments argue that students cannot improve through homework and eventually sets up students for failure. The paper argues that homework should not be abolished in public schools.

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By doing homework, students are able to exercise their independence and discipline. In contrast to their highly structured classroom hours, a student will complete homework in their own time. This improves critical time management behaviors that will be fundamental to later studies and even in their career. Students also become more self-controlled and organized, as they must depend on their own skills to complete homework on time. Eventually, these skills instill a greater sense of independence (Bachman, 1).

Homework is also a great way to strengthen learning skills after classroom. In addition, homework permits students to see their daily lessons from another viewpoint and keep their understanding fresh, even after they have left the classroom. When appropriately used, homework improves the process of inquiry and the conceptual comprehension of any subject. Bachman (1) notes, "homework improves the constancy of the child in school; this reinforces the account that time spent finishing homework is time well spent." Instead of giving students extra time for leisure, giving them homework allows the student a time of supplemented learning. In the end, students will attain favorable test scores.

Taking time after school to do homework is an opportunity for students to catch up on missed classes and further strengthen the day's lessons to ensure that it is perpetually engraved in their mind. Students are also able to develop a positive attitude toward academic learning, which is sure to benefit them throughout their life. Homework also teaches the student to access different academic sources like referencing materials, the internet and libraries to acquire information to write their homework. It also inspires a student to apply the theories learned in the class to a real-life situation. According to Hallam (30), "students are able to explore new things which can be beneficial in their future careers." The students also improve their motivation and personal responsibilities skills. Students who complete their homework are generally happy and remain positive. Provision of homework increases confidence among the students and ensures they express themselves in a positive way (Hallam, 26).

Homework provides parents with a comprehensive idea of the skills and knowledge that their children learn in the classroom. According to Hallam (35), "Giving children homework creates chances for connections among families." Parents are also given an opportunity to guide their children on good study habits and how they can develop a positive approach towards school. Both teachers and parents are able to understand that learning occurs not just in school but also at home.

Homework is also beneficial to the teacher. Teachers get the opportunity to assess the progress of a student by assigning homework. Moreover, the teacher can recognize the weaknesses of a student and encourage him or her to improve their study practices in expectation of pulling their grades up. Abandoning the idea of homework means that teachers would base the majority of the students' marks on tests alone. Most teachers will approve that the main drive of the assignments is for students to practice what they have attained in school. It is not meant to learn new concepts; the main focus is to master the present ideas they have learned.

Counter Argument

Despite having a lot of advantages, homework has its own demerits giving it a reason to be abolished. Homework puts struggle and stress on parents. In most situations, students depend on their parents to assist them to complete their homework. Many parents do not have the time required to help their children with their homework. The demands needed to complete the assignments can take hours which is challenging for the parents. Most parents are busy and therefore giving them the responsibility of doing homework for their children is adding a load which cannot bear. Bennet and Kalish (46) state that, "some parents are not sufficiently equipped to teach their children."

Conclusively, the paper supports that teachers should continue giving students homework as it improves their abilities. Giving students homework enables them to exercise their independence and discipline. It also reinforces their learning skills after classroom studies. Homework assignments also enable students to catch up on the topics they missed in school. Additionally, parents are able to understand the skills and knowledge that their children learn in school. Those who oppose the provision of homework argue that the assignments add stress to the parents. They argue that students fail to do the homework and instead, give their parents to do tasks for them.

Works Cited

Bachman, Sarah. Should homework be abolished? (2015). Retrieved from: https://www.theeducatoronline.com/au/news/should-homework-be-abolished/198145 on date 1/11/2018

Bennett, Sara, and Kalish, Nancy. The Case against Homework: How Homework Is Hurting Children and What Parents Can Do About It. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2006. Print.

Hallam, Susan. Homework: The Evidence. DULLES: UCL IOE PRESS, 2018. Print.