Do kids get enough homework?

Do kids in junior high and high school get enough homework, or too much?  The opinions vary widely depending on which parent you ask.  Parents of kids who are active in sports or other extracurricular activities sometimes feel that teachers give too much homework.  However, some of the same kids who play sports or are involved in other extracurricular activities are some of the best students because they have the skills needed to manage their limited time and get their schoolwork done.  Some parents feel that enough time is set aside during to school day to get the work done, and the kids should not be given any extra.

A parent’s opinion of homework may also depend whether or not their child is in pre-AP or AP classes.  These honors classes typically demand a lot of outside homework so kids who take them sometimes lack for free time during the week.  I have observed over the years that kids in honors classes or private school tend to get more homework than kids in regulars classes at public school.  This concerns me though because many of the kids in regulars classes at public school are in the recommended degree plan and plan to go to college.

I know kids in regulars classes get some homework, and some may get more depending on the teacher.  I am just not convinced that they get enough.  I have tutored many kids over the years who could’ve benefited from more homework.   In college, students have to be disciplined enough to study on their own each day, plan and write research papers, and complete projects and assignments for different types of courses.  For students who have never an adequate amount of homework and assignments that they have to do on their own, this is difficult.

What do I think can be done about this?  I suggest that, if you are concerned that your child doesn’t get enough homework, you start a constructive dialog with your child’s teacher or school.  Get their point of view.  Maybe they already have a plan for this. 

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this issue, whether you agree or disagree.  I would like to know how some of you parents feel about whether your child gets enough homework.