The great homework debate has been going on for centuries and is still going through many people’s thoughts today. 

There are some school districts that got rid of homework completely such as Orchard School in Vermont, schools in Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Clark County Nevada. Is homework an education essential when it comes to our teachers and students in Helena? 

Isn’t it bad enough that students are in school for 6-8 hours a day and then must bring that into their home when they should be relaxing, having fun, or hanging out with friends or family? 

According to The Week, one parent said, “Children need to switch off when they get home. No wonder children suffer mental health issues, they are burnt out before they reach secondary school.” One teacher said, “a pain sourcing, copying, chasing and marking it.” Some students and teachers may have to take time out of their day off just to finish assignments. Students remember only 50% of lectures that were taught that day. Homework can be a chance to review what was gone over in class or to check your understanding of the materials. It can give students a more confident outlook on schoolwork while teachers can be reassured knowing that homework is expanding and building student’s knowledge. According to Oxford Learning, “Homework also helps students develop key skills that they’ll use throughout their lives: accountability, autonomy, discipline, time management, self-direction, critical thinking, independent problem-solving.” 

Homework has its advantages and disadvantages, but what does Helena want to see? Is it a mental health disaster or does it help our students and staff?