Rethinking Homework: A Bold Move in Louisiana Sparks a Broader Debate
The LaSalle Parish school district in rural Louisiana has taken a groundbreaking step by eliminating homework for its 2,500 students. This decision, announced in January, means that students, from the youngest to high school seniors, are no longer required to complete schoolwork at home. While parents can request practice problems, these will not be mandatory or graded, according to Superintendent Jonathan Garrett.
Garrett explained that homework had been a frequent source of complaints from both students and parents. “When there was a negative feeling about school, it usually stemmed from what kids are bringing home,” he noted. The district’s decision is part of a growing trend among educators to reduce or eliminate homework, particularly in math, due to concerns that it is often repetitive and time-consuming.
The response to this decision has been overwhelmingly positive, with the district’s announcement becoming its most popular post on Facebook this year. Many parents from neighboring areas have expressed interest in adopting similar policies in their schools.
Changing Attitudes Toward Homework
Surveys indicate a decline in the amount of math homework assigned to fourth and eighth graders over the past decade. While some studies suggest that more homework can lead to better academic performance, others show minimal impact on standardized test scores. A study from Duke University in 1998 found that additional homework in elementary grades did not significantly affect test scores but had a slightly positive effect on class grades.
The debate over homework is not new and has shifted over the decades. Researching its impact is challenging because of the varying amounts of time different students require to complete assignments. Nonetheless, some experts argue that practice is essential for mastering academic subjects like math.
The Role of AI in the Homework Debate
Generative artificial intelligence has further complicated the homework discussion. According to a Pew Research Center survey, more than half of teens use chatbots for schoolwork, while an EdWeek Research Center survey found that 40% of teachers have reduced homework assignments, partly due to AI’s influence.
Between 1996 and 2015, just 4-6% of fourth graders reported receiving no math homework on a given night, but by 2024, that figure had risen to over a quarter. The trend is similar for eighth graders.
Ariel Taylor Smith from the National Parents Union highlights the equity issue in homework, noting that not all parents can provide the same level of support at home. Despite this, she believes students need some homework for additional practice.
Finding the Right Balance
Educational researchers often recommend ten minutes of homework per grade level per night, though this can be difficult to standardize. A Stanford University study found that the benefits of homework plateau after two hours per night for high school students, with more leading to stress and poor sleep.
Joyce Epstein, co-director of the Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships at Johns Hopkins University, suggests focusing on the quality rather than the quantity of homework. She argues for assignments that have a clear purpose and are shorter in length, particularly in math.
In Colorado’s Harrison School District 2, Superintendent Wendy Birhanzel has embraced this philosophy, opting for more purposeful and less intensive assignments. In Louisiana, Superintendent Garrett has allowed math teachers to slow their pace and provide in-class practice time, even if it means covering less content over the school year.
“We felt like doing that would actually be more beneficial than racing through and covering every single thing that was listed,” Garrett said. “We’ll see. This might be something that helps us in the long run.”
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