At Liberty Woodland School, we don’t do anything unless it is for the benefit of our students. We don’t adhere to traditions simply because “that’s how it’s always been done.” Instead, we question everything to ensure it truly serves our students. One such question we’ve asked ourselves, with a resulting decision which has impacted positively upon our students, is whether homework should exist at all?
Homework has long been a staple of traditional education, viewed as an essential part of reinforcing classroom learning and fostering discipline. Yet, as society becomes increasingly understanding of the necessity to focus on well-being, isn’t it time to question the genuine academic impact of homework, and consider whether schools are promoting practices that truly align with the holistic development of learners.
Should homework exist?
Homework emerged during the Industrial Revolution as schools sought to instill habits of discipline and obedience that mirrored the demands of factory life. Over time, it became synonymous with academic rigour, often equated with educational excellence. But the world has changed, and so has our understanding of how children learn best.
What does the research say?
Research offers a mixed and often surprising picture of homework’s effectiveness. According to the Center for Public Education, homework’s impact varies by age group. For primary school children, there is little evidence that homework significantly enhances academic outcomes. Instead, unstructured play and family interactions seem to offer greater developmental benefits. In contrast, homework can positively impact older students, but only when carefully designed and not excessive in volume.
Research indicates very little incentive to assign homework for primary age students, with very little benefit academically. For secondary age students, homework that is meaningful and engaging, rather than just being busywork, or excessive hours of homework can lead to heightened stress, sleep deprivation, and a diminished love of learning.
The hidden costs of homework?
Beyond the question of academic benefit, we need to consider its impact upon family dynamics. Instead of fostering quality time and shared experiences, it often becomes a source of conflict. According to a Stanford University study, 56% of students cited homework as their primary source of stress, with parents echoing the sentiment. Let’s continue to challenge ourselves - does this sound worth it?
Reimagining Learning - a new way of managing independent learning.
At Liberty Woodland School, we have chosen to forgo traditional homework entirely for our primary students. Instead, we focus on providing rich, engaging learning experiences during the school day and encourage unstructured play and family time at home, as well as time to focus on hobbies and personal passions and interests—activities proven to support holistic development.
For our secondary students, we take a different approach. We are committed to never assigning homework simply for the sake of it. Instead, on Fridays when students do not attend school, they are set 2-3 hours of independent learning. Independent learning is only tasked to students when it is meaningful, relevant, and purposeful for their current learning in that subject. Rather than assigning traditional busywork, we embrace flipped learning. This innovative model uses home time for preparatory activities like watching instructional videos, reading, or researching topics, enabling classroom time to focus on deeper exploration and application. This approach not only develops students’ skills in independent learning and time management but also nurtures their ability to think critically and take ownership of their education.
Is the way schools traditionally set homework really relevant for what we know today about how children learn best?
The question of whether homework should exist isn’t just an academic debate; it’s an invitation to rethink how we define learning and success. By moving away from outdated practices and embracing evidence-based approaches, we can create educational experiences that support each child’s unique journey.
We invite you to join the conversation. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or student, your perspective matters. Together, we can shape a future where learning is not a chore but a lifelong adventure.
