Why teachers assign less homework: Students won't do it -- but AI will

Forty percent of teachers say they're assigning less homework, and 24 percent don't assign any, according to an EdWeek survey, reports Jennifer Vilcarino. Thirty-three percent haven't changed and only 3 percent are asking for more.

Among those who have lowered homework expectations, the major reason is simple: 47 percent say students refuse to do it. Another 29 percent say AI cheating has made homework less valuable while 28 percent say "equity concerns — that some students have more access to homework help than others — is a factor," she writes.

Asking students to do homework teaches the habits of "mature learners," says Janine Bempechat, who was a Boston University education professor. Students learn to set priorities and take responsibility. If parents aren't able to help, schools should provide assistance during or after school, she tells Vilcarino. “That’s more how we should be thinking about the equity issue, rather [than] minimizing homework.” Otherwise, “it may end up hurting the very kids we want to be helping the most.”

Educators on social media are divided about the usefulness of homework, writes EdWeek's Edér Del Prado. "Some argue that the extra practice can address national declines in math and literacy skills, while others contend that excessive workloads contribute to student burnout and strip away time for family, rest, and personal interests."

Several teachers said the only "homework" is schoolwork that students didn't finish in class.

Years ago, I visited a Vietnamese refugee family with five children. All the kids had 30 minutes of free time after they got home from school. Then they sat down at the kitchen table to do their homework. That included the youngest, a kindergartener who had no homework. The parents created an "assignment," such as drawing a picture, so he could practice doing homework. The father said he didn't have the education needed to go beyond working as an electronics technician. "So I decided to invest myself in my children," he said.