The great homework drop: Are teachers assigning less homework?

By: Damon Trent

A students homework by Aaron Burden aaronburden via Wikimedia Commons

Across the country, after-school worksheets and late-night study sessions are slowly becoming a thing of the past. Recent data confirms that there’s been a shift in K-12 education: teachers are assigning significantly less homework than in previous years, and some aren’t even assigning any at all.

According to a survey conducted by the EdWeek Research Center, about 40% of surveyed teachers reported assigning less homework over a two-year period, another 24% stated they do not assign homework at all, and only 3% of educators reported an increase in out-of-school assignments.

There are so many different things that could have caused this shift. About 47% of teachers who cut down on workloads said that students are refusing to complete assignments as the leading reason. Additionally, another 29% pointed to the rise of AI and other digital tools, noting that tech misuse undermines the learning value of traditional homework. Some teachers also have equity concerns seeing as they also play a major role, as 28% of educators recognize that not all students have equal access to quiet study environments, internet access, or parental help at home.

Research highlighted by Edutopia shows that heavy homework loads aren’t very beneficial to a student’s academics, as it causes younger students to feel an increase in stress and burnout. Studies referenced by Point Loma Nazarene University reinforce that while targeted practice can help older students, too many assignments can often backfire on student engagement and mental health.

Educators are beginning realize they should try to prioritize quality, in-class learning over quantity at home, giving students more time for sleep, extracurriculars, and family life. As classrooms change to better understand new technologies and students needs, the era of heavy nightly homework appears to be fading.

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