More than two hours of homework may be counterproductive, research suggests (2024)

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More than two hours of homework may be counterproductive, research suggests (1)

GSE scholar Denise Pope finds that students in high-achieving schools who spend too much time on homework experience more stress and health problems.

March 10, 2014

By Clifton B. Parker

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A Stanford education researcher found that too much homework can negatively affect kids, especially their lives away from school, where family, friends and activities matter.

"Our findings on the effects of homework challenge the traditional assumption that homework is inherently good," wrote Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Education and a co-author of a study published in the Journal of Experimental Education.

The researchers used survey data to examine perceptions about homework, student well-being and behavioral engagement in a sample of 4,317 students from 10 high-performing high schools in upper-middle-class California communities. Along with the survey data, Pope and her colleagues used open-ended answers to explore the students' views on homework.

Median household income exceeded $90,000 in these communities, and 93 percent of the students went on to college, either two-year or four-year.

Students in these schools average about 3.1 hours of homework each night.

"The findings address how current homework practices in privileged, high-performing schools sustain students' advantage in competitive climates yet hinder learning, full engagement and well-being," Pope wrote.

Pope and her colleagues found that too much homework can diminish its effectiveness and even be counterproductive. They cite prior research indicating that homework benefits plateau at about two hours per night, and that 90 minutes to two and a half hours is optimal for high school.

Their study found that too much homework is associated with:

• Greater stress: 56 percent of the students considered homework a primary source of stress, according to the survey data. Forty-three percent viewed tests as a primary stressor, while 33 percent put the pressure to get good grades in that category. Less than 1 percent of the students said homework was not a stressor.

• Reductions in health: In their open-ended answers, many students said their homework load led to sleep deprivation and other health problems. The researchers asked students whether they experienced health issues such as headaches, exhaustion, sleep deprivation, weight loss and stomach problems.

• Less time for friends, family and extracurricular pursuits: Both the survey data and student responses indicate that spending too much time on homework meant that students were "not meeting their developmental needs or cultivating other critical life skills," according to the researchers. Students were more likely to drop activities, not see friends or family, and not pursue hobbies they enjoy.

A balancing act

The results offer empirical evidence that many students struggle to find balance between homework, extracurricular activities and social time, the researchers said. Many students felt forced or obligated to choose homework over developing other talents or skills.

Also, there was no relationship between the time spent on homework and how much the student enjoyed it. The research quoted students as saying they often do homework they see as "pointless" or "mindless" in order to keep their grades up.

"This kind of busy work, by its very nature, discourages learning and instead promotes doing homework simply to get points," said Pope, who is also a co-founder of Challenge Success, a nonprofit organization affiliated with the GSE that conducts research and works with schools and parents to improve students' educational experiences..

Pope said the research calls into question the value of assigning large amounts of homework in high-performing schools. Homework should not be simply assigned as a routine practice, she said.

"Rather, any homework assigned should have a purpose and benefit, and it should be designed to cultivate learning and development," wrote Pope.

High-performing paradox

In places where students attend high-performing schools, too much homework can reduce their time to foster skills in the area of personal responsibility, the researchers concluded. "Young people are spending more time alone," they wrote, "which means less time for family and fewer opportunities to engage in their communities."

Student perspectives

The researchers say that while their open-ended or "self-reporting" methodology to gauge student concerns about homework may have limitations – some might regard it as an opportunity for "typical adolescent complaining" – it was important to learn firsthand what the students believe.

The paper was co-authored by Mollie Galloway from Lewis and Clark College and Jerusha Conner from Villanova University.

___

Clifton B. Parker is a writer at the Stanford News Service.

More than two hours of homework may be counterproductive, research suggests (2024)

FAQs

How can too much homework be counterproductive? ›

The study showed that students who spent too much time on homework felt more stressed, experienced more physical health problems such as headaches, sleep deprivation, and weight loss, and felt they had a hard time balancing their lives outside of the classroom.

Is 3 hours of homework too much? ›

The National Education Association and the National Parent Teacher Association have suggested that a healthy number of hours that students should be spending can be determined by the “10-minute rule.” This means that each grade level should have a maximum homework time incrementing by 10 minutes depending on their ...

How does too much homework affect students? ›

Students with too much homework have elevated stress levels.

Higher-achieving students — those who may have more homework — are at particular risk for stress-related health issues including sleep deprivation, weight loss, stomach problems and headaches.

What happens when you spend too much time on homework? ›

According to research on the effects of homework, over two hours of homework a night can harm students' stress levels and create a lack of balance in their lives.

Is homework beneficial or counterproductive? ›

While some argue that homework can be burdensome and counterproductive, numerous studies in neuroscience and educational research suggest that it plays a crucial role in reinforcing classroom learning, fostering essential skills, and preparing students for future success.

Can studying too much be counterproductive? ›

Overstudying can turn a productive period of review into something counterproductive. It could cause students to forget information and push themselves to forcibly learn more than they are able to.

Is it illegal to have too much homework? ›

You absolutely do have legal rights to put reasonable limits on your child's homework time. The legal tool you want to use is called a 504. For a link that provides a quick overview to the 504 law, click HERE.

Is 7 hours of school too much? ›

Much like how adults tend to feel “done” after 8 hours, children also reach their limit. A 7-hour day at school or childcare, mirroring this rhythm, ensures that they are engaged and receptive during their learning hours.

Does homework actually help? ›

Homework helps to reinforce classroom learning, while developing good study habits and life skills. Students typically retain only 50% of the information teachers provide in class, and they need to apply that information in order to truly learn it.

Who invented homework 😡 and why? ›

Depending on various sources, this invention is dated either in the year 1095 or 1905. The invention of homework is commonly attributed to Roberto Nevilis, an Italian pedagog who is said to have introduced it as a form of punishment for his students in 1905.

Is too much homework harmful or helpful? ›

In fact, too much homework can do more harm than good. Researchers have cited drawbacks, including boredom and burnout toward academic material, less time for family and extracurricular activities, lack of sleep and increased stress.

Why shouldn't homework be banned? ›

Homework plays a crucial role in preparing students for tests and exams. It allows them to review material, practice problem-solving, and assess their understanding. This preparation can lead to better performance on assessments and reduce test anxiety, as students feel more confident in their abilities.

Can too much homework cause depression? ›

Independent of effects on sleep, long hours on homework/studying on weekends may be a risk factor for depression. Reducing adolescents' workload outside of class may benefit their sleep, schoolwork-life balance, and mental well-being.

What are the cons of homework? ›

More than half of students say that homework is their primary source of stress, and we know what stress can do on our bodies. It's been shown that excessive homework can lead to cheating. With too much homework, students end up copying off one another in an attempt to finish all their assignments.

What does research say about homework? ›

However, as we discussed, some students stop doing homework. This leads, statistically, to results showing that doing homework or spending more minutes on homework is linked to higher student achievement. If slow or struggling students are not doing their assignments, they contribute to—or cause—this "result."

What is a negative response to having too much homework? ›

A Stanford researcher found that students in high-achieving communities who spend too much time on homework experience more stress, physical health problems, a lack of balance and even alienation from society.

How is homework ineffective? ›

Too much work could (and can) cause depression. More time on doing doesn't necessarily bring better results. Excessive workload may encourage cheating. Kids/Teens need time away from school to relax.

Why shouldn't homework be allowed? ›

Additionally, homework exacerbates educational inequalities, lacks consistent effectiveness, encourages academic dishonesty, and hampers the promotion of lifelong learning. Banning homework would not only alleviate the stress and pressure on students but also foster a more equitable and effective educational system.

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