Research-Based Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Homework

Research Q&A: Homework

1.  Does homework help students do better in school?

The research on this question is very mixed. Some studies show that homework is linked to better test scores and grades in school, while other studies show no links, and still others suggest a negative influence of homework. Homework does seem to improve achievement and grades for older students more than younger students. In fact, some studies suggest that homework may be detrimental to younger students.

2.  If the research about homework is inconclusive, why do teachers continue to assign it?

Many parents, educators, and policymakers continue to support homework. There is a widespread belief that homework builds character, work habits, and academic skills. The focus on international competitiveness contributes to the idea that U.S. students should be working harder. There are also fears that without homework, children will spend their after-school time in unproductive ways, such as watching television, instant-messaging, or playing video games. 

3.  Are students today overburdened with homework?

In spite of recent media reports that U.S. students are overburdened with homework, the average amount of homework across all grade levels is less than an hour per night. This is only an average, of course. Students in some programs—such as advanced courses—may have much more homework than this and others may have less.

4.  How much time should my child spend on homework each night?

Little is known about the “optimum” amount of time students should spend on homework. The available research indicates that the optimum amount of time for high school students is 1½ to 2½ hours per night; for middle school students, the optimum appears to be less than 1 hour per night. When students spend more time than that on homework, the positive connection with student achievement diminishes. There is less research on elementary students, but what is available suggests that smaller amounts of homework may help to develop work habits and study skills but do not directly affect student achievement.

5.  What is the purpose of homework?

Homework can be assigned for instructional and noninstructional purposes. Instructional homework may be assigned to help students (1) practice what they did in class that day; (2) prepare for new material; (3) extend what they have learned by applying the information in new contexts; or (4) integrate separately learned skills by applying them on projects. Most homework assigned by teachers is for practice and preparation purposes. Noninstructional homework may be assigned to (1) help students develop time-management and work skills, (2) improve communication between parents and children, (3) encourage students to work with their peers, or (4) fulfill school or district homework requirements. Noninstructional purposes for homework are more common for younger students than older students.

6.  What kind of homework is most beneficial to students?

There is not much research on this topic. Some studies have shown that homework that prepares students for new material or asks them to review or practice old material leads to higher test scores than homework that simply reviews what was covered in class that day. One study of science homework found that students were more likely to return homework that required them to interact with their parents. Also, students who were assigned this kind of homework received better science grades than students who were assigned homework to complete on their own.