Facts About Positive Effects of Homework

Each day, especially in the higher grades, students are assigned homework to complete and return to school for the teacher to grade. The impact of homework on student achievement has been widely studied. Some students complain that homework is just a hassle and has no benefits, while others diligently do their homework in hopes of improving or maintaining grades. Even though homework can have some negative effects, it also has a positive impact on students. The effect of homework on students academic achievement depends on a few variables.

One of the main purposes of assigning homework is to help students retain what they have learned in school. While some students find the time to complete their homework during the school day, many others end up taking it home at night. Some students find the homework repetitive to what they did at school; however, repetition is a key tool in learning material. Homework is meant to cover what the students learned in the class that day to help them retain it. The effect of homework on students academic achievement varies by student and their studying habits.

The impact of homework on student achievement can be measured at different times of the student's academic career. The older a student is, the greater the positive impact homework has in most circumstances. For instance, when a child is in high school, the benefits of homework is at its peak for effectiveness. However, when that student was in middle school, homework was only half as effective, and at the elementary level, it had only one-quarter of the effectiveness, if any. In addition, the amount of homework that is appropriate changes, ranging from 10 to 20 minutes for young children up to a couple of hours for high school students.

In addition to complementing and reinforcing the material the students learn in school, the benefit of homework is that it offers an opportunity to develop responsibility. While the students are at school, the teacher is there to ensure they are doing their work. However, in the home, the parents are also there, but they have things to do as well and are less likely to hover while children do their homework. This gives the students the responsibility of ensuring their work is done. If the student chooses not to do her homework, she is the one who suffers the consequences.

The effect of homework on students' academic achievement isn't always just a matter of the student. Homework also helps give parents an appreciation of the education their children receive while encouraging parental involvement. Some parents step in to either help with homework or check it over when the child is done, but not every parent does this. Those parents who do help with homework or at least ensure that it is completed, are more likely to become involved in other areas of the school day. For those parents who are not typically involved, homework gives them an opportunity to know what is going on in school and to spend time with their child.

Because homework in the lower grades has very little impact on the academic success of the student, some may wonder why it is necessary. However, as the students move on to the higher grade levels, the need to study to get good grades increases. Therefore, it is important to establish good study habits at an early age. Working on homework after school has proven to help students get into the habit of studying and helps each student develop a study pattern that works for him or her.