ABSTRACT
The debate around homework burns hot. Advocates argue that homework provides essential opportunities to practice skills, prepare for upcoming lessons, and extend learning to new contexts. Critics argue that the benefits of homework in practice are outweighed by their costs: increased stress, reduced playtime, disrupted sleep, and strains on the parent-child relationship. In general, the upper limit of homework assigned should not exceed 10 minutes multiplied by the grade level per night—for example, 60 minutes per night for sixth grade, 90 minutes per night for ninth grade, and so on. For middle and upper grades, homework is positively linked to student achievement and performance on standardized tests. The gains appear strongest when homework is evenly distributed throughout the week and followed by teacher feedback. In terms of type, homework assignments that emphasize practice, preparation, and extension can all be effective, though activities that engage students to extend what they have learned to new contexts and situations produce the greatest gains.
