IS SCHOOL HOMEWORK REALLY THAT BENEFICIAL? ASKS A WISCONSIN MOTHER
Milwaukee, Wisconsin (JFK+50) On May 15, 1925, The Milwaukee Leader reports "that parents have not lost interest in the controversy over home work for school children."
The Leader received a letter on the subject of homework from one Mrs. Pauline Deuss of Sheboygan who argues that while homework is "necessary to a certain extent, it should not be compulsory for any grade."
Mrs. Deuss questions whether children are "just pretending" to study at home and that having a good place to study is not an option for many children. She also believes that it is not the amount of hours of homework that is important, but the "intensity" of the study time.
Mrs. Deuss insists that time at home for school children could be better spent in recreation, music or sleeping.
JFK+50
I spent 40 years teaching U.S. History, 11 years in middle school & 29 years in high school. I taught students with differing levels of academic ability. I agree with Ms. Deuss that homework is "necessary to a certain extent," but it should not be overly emphasized.
Many of my high schoolers had part-time jobs or were in sports, band or chorus taking much of their after-school time. It was necessary for me to utilize every minute of their time in the classroom concentrating on the material.
On the block schedule, we had 90 minutes for each class. That was more than enough time to attempt to maintain the attention of teenagers. AP students are a different breed. They live for making As, so they are going to do homework and whatever else it takes to make the grade.
SOURCE
"Home Work? Yes And No, She Says," The Milwaukee Leader, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 15, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
