Criticism
It is believed by some that there is a growing amount of teachers, parents, and
students that advocate the abolishment, or at least a limit in the amount, of
homework. The main reason being that kids need to do other activities in life
other than textbooks and workbooks found in classrooms. A whole day in class and
most of the night reading school books that are related to the subject in school
leaves a student out of touch of free time and extracurricular activities, which
is what some teachers are preparing them to be in. Other talents and interest of
the student often can not be found or nurtured on a structural learning type of
classroom with teachers focused only on a specific subject.[citation needed]
History of homework
History of homework in the United States
Historically, homework was frowned upon in American culture. With few students
interested in higher education, and due to the necessity to complete daily
chores, homework was discouraged not only by parents, but also by the
legislature. In 1901, Congress passed an act that effectively abolished homework
for those who attended kindergarten through the eighth grade. But, in the 1950s,
with increasing pressure on the United States to stay ahead in the Cold War,
homework made a resurgence, and children were encouraged to keep up with their
Russian counterparts. By the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s, the
consensus in American education was overwhelmingly in favor of issuing homework
to students of all grade levels.
In a study done at the University of Michigan, research concluded that the
amount of homework given is increasing over time. In a sample taken of students
between the ages of 6 and 9, it was shown that students spend more than two
hours a week on homework, as opposed to 44 minutes in 1981
