Education

Is homework helpful or harmful?

By: Amelia Garcia

Homework has been a big part of education for as long as many can remember. Teachers assign homework to help their students learn and/or review the topic they’re talking about, but most students just get stressed or think it's unnecessary. So the question is, is homework good for you or just a waste of students' time?

The bad

If you ask students on any campus how they feel about homework, most would say they dislike it, some might even say they hate it. That is a pretty understandable reaction considering the stress homework often causes. There are many studies on homework and the stress it causes like the Stanford Report did research on it in 2014 and it said “studies show 56% of students considered homework a primary source of stress according to the survey results.” But that's not the only downside to homework. Other than stress, homework also limits students' free time. Many students struggle to juggle homework, extracurriculars, studying and family time. For example a middle school student has seven different classes, what happens if every class assigns 30 mins of homework. That is 3 and a half hours of homework, that leaves students with little time for relaxation or even enough sleep. According to the American Psychological Association’s Stress in America Survey, during the school year, teenagers say they experience stress levels higher than those reported by adults. It might be time for schools and teachers to reconsider how much homework is given to students.

The good

Even with all the downsides homework does have some positives. Homework helps students learn how to plan their time so they can finish the assignment well and on time. A study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in 2012 found that students who regularly complete homework on time develop better time management skills. It also teaches responsibility because they have to remember to do it and to turn it in and if you don't then the grade will reflect. Another good thing is homework teaches students how to be independent. In class, teachers are there for you if you need to ask questions but, at home students have to use what they've learned in class to solve their problem by themselves. Even though it could be tiring or stressful it helps prepare students for the real world. According to a 2014 Stanford University study, moderate amounts of homework can help students build persistence and discipline. Which are essential skills for job and workplace responsibilities.

Conclusion

Homework has both good and bad sides. It helps students learn important skills like responsibility and time management, but too much can cause stress and take away free time. To make homework more helpful and less stressful, teachers should give a fair amount that helps students learn without overwhelming them. Finding the right balance is important, so students learn without causing too much stress.

School Shootings Without Phones

School shootings happen way more often than we’d like and parents are worried about their kids. “What if there's a school shooting?" an anonymous member of the Parenting in a Tech World Facebook Group asks. "We decided it is time to get (our 10-year-old) a phone so we can track her and communicate with her while she is away from us," comments another mom on a separate thread in the group. Even though parents are worried about something happening at the school and they’ll have no contact with their student, they could always contact the school. 

“A HUGE debate that comes up in our group is the fear of school shootings. Many parents argue they want their child to reach them in that tragic event; the parent wants to reach the child; perhaps they can help get them out, or even just to say "I love you" one last time," she says. Parents are afraid the last time they’ll see their child is the morning they drop them off at school.

Negatives Impacts on Phones in Schools

Most students would rather be on their phone than learn and they think about what they could do instead of what they should be doing. In a study by the Pew Research Center, some 72 percent of high school teachers and 33 percent of middle school teachers said that cell phone distractions during class were a "major problem." Studies show that students think cell phones are a reward to their work, so after every little thing students complete they feel like they deserve a reward. The surgeon general, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has called for social media platforms to carry warning labels like those on cigarettes and other addictive consumer products. Social media can be just as addicting as drugs and alcohol; however, social media doesn’t affect your physical health although it may affect your mental health.

Social Skills Without Cell Phones

Promoting prosocial skills is another crucial school responsibility; phone bans push kids to interact with their peers face to face and foster relationships outside of cyberspace. Plenty of people still struggle, after the solitude of the covid pandemic, to settle back into their communities. Schools could be just the place to start. Cell phones in school don’t allow people to socialize with other people rather than texting or calling. Since people were isolated during Covid, there are some people who are socially awkward because they relied on social media to talk to people throughout the pandemic. 

At least 14 states have moved to ban or limit cell phone use in schools in the past 15 months, according to a tracker from Education Week. With cell phones in school students are distracted from learning. Over 1.2 million students drop out of high school each year but only 40% of the adults who didn’t graduate are successful. Most people use social media as a way to find a job, but people who are “lazy,” try to find social media as a job. Phones in schools should only be allowed at certain times and certain emergencies. If you’re tempted to use your phone during class or something important try to stop yourself and focus on what you’re learning then use your phone afterwards.

Covid made inflation spike. Based on the CPI (Consumer Price Index) Prices in the United States have increased by about 23.5% since 2019.  Inflation directly impacts schools by raising prices for essential goods and services. The costs of supplies like textbooks and computers have risen, challenging school budgets. The British Academy suggests that there are "likely to be additional pressures on government spending in the medium to long term, as a result of increasing levels of debt and possible falling tax revenues due to risks around unemployment, failing businesses, decreased consumption, and significant shifts in the structure of the economy.“ 

Lastly, Covid has changed the learning environment. As Nate Wallace, an EXPO teacher, shared in an interview “Things that I used to be able to do that required more independent focus you know like just reading time or like working independently on an assignment on a project. I feel like kids are not able to do that nearly as much as they used to, and I think a lot of that has to do with things like attention, spans, and stuff.”  He shares later that he has even noticed increasingly lower maturity levels in his younger students, something that other teachers have concurred with. While this aspect of the Pandemic’s influence, the change in the classroom atmosphere is harder to show, the change in students is more obvious. 

Despite how things have changed in the last few years, whether for better or worse, there may still be hope to regain losses. The few teachers that I interviewed shared that they thought the educational environment wouldn't go back to the way that it was before COVID, but they hope that it will improve. As one teacher puts it "We may gain some of our lost ground and maybe make things better than they were before Covid. But that will be a long road that requires us to stop looking for easy answers and silver bullets. And instead do the hard work of teaching and learning."

Currently, 244 million students are enrolled in public schools around the world. Issues like mental health can have a big impact on the lives of students both inside and outside of school. The differences between schools in other countries can also be very significant to the way students learn. 

Mental Health

Schools play an important role in students' mental health. Schools can help prevent or stop something bad from happening in a student's life. In New Zealand, two youth groups reported facts about their mental health in schools. In the first youth group, their significant depressive symptoms rose from 14% to 28%. Similarly, the second youth group's significant depressive symptoms also rose from 14% to 25%.In American schools, 58% reported that the percentage of students seeking school-based mental health services had increased since the last school year. Research shows that students are more likely to seek counseling when services are provided at school.

Schooling Years

Students all over the world go to school for a different amount of years. In New Zealand, students go to school for about 13 years, and likewise, students in America also go to school for around 13 years. In New Zealand, there are 3 stages of schooling- primary, intermediate, and secondary schools. According to the New Zealand Immigration article, primary schools are Year 1- Year 8, and secondary school is Year 9 - Year 13. Just like in New Zealand, America also has elementary and secondary schools. In the National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Facts - Back to School Statistics article, 32.5 million students were in kindergarten - 8th grade and 15.5 million students were in 9th - 12th grade.

Enrollment of Students

49.6 million students are enrolled in public schools in America, and in New Zealand there are 850,999 students enrolled. As you can see, there is a vast difference in the amount of students enrolled. Although New Zealand’s public school enrollment has grown by 20,000 students in the last year. New Zealand students go to school from ages 5-16 years old, and American students go to school from 5-18 years old.

In New Zealand, students go to school for a shorter period of time, in contrast with American schools, which may go to school for more years. There are many differences and similarities between public schools in different countries, although both schooling systems still offer a great education for students.

Pros and Cons: Childhood Music Education

By: Echo Morlatt

Many children take music classes across the country, but there have been disagreements for years on whether it is necessary. This debate has been discussed based on how parents and teachers perceive music education in students’ childhoods. Plenty of people argue that it has positive effects on the child, but there are countless others that believe it has negative effects on the child or even the parents. 

The University of Maryland interviewed Nancy Nuttle, the director of Music Together Maryland, who has a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. She stated in the interview, “Music-making is one of the human attributes that reside at the core of what makes us human. For this reason, we believe that the inclusion of music, for music's sake, is a birthright and should be an integral part of early learning.” 

Another focus of the debate is benefits in health and academics. The National Library of Medicine, which is based on the health effects on children, states, “Research on the impact of music interventions has indicated positive effects on a variety of skills.” The article also argued that it helps develop intelligence, “Music interventions are often said to have an influence on motor, language, social, cognitive, and academic abilities.” Another article by the University of Oregon elaborates on this view, “Students involved with music education are linked to higher GPA’s, better academic results and social skills.” 

On the other hand, the cons people usually mention are the child's personal feelings on learning music, or financial situations. The High School of Glasgow illustrates how the child's feelings are involved, “If a pupil doesn’t have the desire to play a musical instrument and is feeling pressured by parents or other external factors, then they won’t have the motivation to properly invest in the activity to the best of their ability.” This may cause unwanted stress for the child, or cause problems with learning music in the future. The blog previously mentioned, from the University of Oregon voices some parents' feelings on the matter, “Some parents believe that school districts should be using their budget on more math and writing teachers rather than music education, because those are the skills that are tested on the SAT and ACT tests.” 

Financial situations are another topic frequently mentioned in discussions. Many reference how funding is progressively decreasing each year, so parents may have to pay more than usual for their child's private or school lessons. The High School of Glasgow projects, ”Music lessons are a financial investment and can be a costly endeavour for parents who have to pay for the instrument, lessons, and any other additional costs.” In short, finances are often considered in the debate.

Childhood music education may improve a child’s cognitive or academic abilities, but it can be harmful if the child does not wish to take lessons. Financial situations may also restrict the ability to take lessons. All in all, there are numerous pros and cons to music education during childhood years and there are many disagreements, but in the end the decision is up to you and your child.

Lockers line the walls of the hallway you are walking down. Children chatter as they hurry to get to class before the bell rings. You make it into your next class and sit down seconds before the bell rings. You are at a public school. They shape the children of today, and therefore tomorrow’s teachers, presidents, firefighters, and more. They formed yesterday’s kids into the people around us today. “Public schools are where I learn and develop the skills I need for life. It gives me a safe place from home. It also helps me get communication skills, and my life overall,” says a student.

Public schools form communities for children. I have many friends here, and I have no idea what I would do without them. Education Healthcare Public Services states that, “When kids go to school together, they become part of a community; their families become part of a community. That community comes together at school concerts, basketball games, and science fairs, and for shelter and comfort when people are displaced by natural disasters or, far too often, at vigils for victims of gun violence.” Gun violence is a real threat, but you will need the friends that you make at school to help you through that challenge and many others. Also, school shootings also happen at private schools too.  Friends that I have made there are close to my heart, and they support me while I support them. We sometimes disagree on things, but we always make it up and continue to be there for each other. A seventh grader from my school says he likes public school, “Because all my friends are here.”

Public school also provides lots of jobs for people.  U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says, “Public elementary and secondary [Middle and High] schools had employment of about 7.2 million in May 2021, representing nearly 89 percent of total elementary and secondary school employment [In comparison to private schools].” Teachers do enjoy their jobs as well as rely on them.  A teacher shares to me that, “In public schools, I am able to live out my passion and daily express myself, and even though the work is tiresome and often leaves me feeling unseen or unappreciated, it is a huge blessing to be able to live out my purpose.  I have found lifelong friends in my fellow educators who keep me sane, make me laugh, and give me a safe space to be unapologetically myself.  Additionally, I have the privilege to teach and get to know some of the most kind, thoughtful, passionate, and hardworking middle school kids on the planet.  Yes, I depend on my paycheck to survive, but I put in the work for them because they are worth it.” My parents are both public school teachers, and it is easy to see how much they love their job and how much they pour into their students.

Allison Academy inputs that private schools have higher academic standards, but is that necessarily a good thing? Princeton University states that “Yes, demanding academic standards create stress.” Do you want to be under stress to meet high academic standards?”

Private schools and homeschooling also hurt many Public schools. “In fall 2022, about 49.6 million students were enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools.” Public school funding is based on student attendance(how many students are in the class), but the teacher is teaching the exact same lesson whether there are 40 or 5 students in the classroom. Homeschooling and Private schooling is taking away attendance, therefore it is taking away school budgets and teacher wages. School vouchers also severely hurt the students and teachers at a public school. They allow people to turn their tax money that would normally be used for public schools, into money that is used at private schools. It brings town the tuition cost for the people who use vouchers to go to private schools. “More than 5 million people in 2.3 million low-income families use vouchers.” Budget and Policy Priorities announces, but the National Center of Education Statistics reveals that “In fall 2022, about 49.6 million students were enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools.” 79.5 Million students are enrolled in school in the U.S. according to the Census. Some families rely solely on the income of public schools, so the attendance also impacts them. That means that over half of the student population is negatively impacted by vouchers, public school students, and homeschool students.

In addition, public schools also cost less. Education data initiative mentions that “Report Highlights. The average cost of private school attendance from kindergarten through 4 years of postsecondary study is $307,262.” Public school is free.

Public school exposes students to diversity as well. “모든 학교는 사회성을 길러준다고 생각한다. [I think all schools foster social skills.]” says a student of Bettye Myers Middle School. The National Center for education statistics shows the numbers: ”[Between fall 2012 and fall 2022] Of the 49.6 million students enrolled in public elementary and secondary [middle and high] schools in fall 2022, 22.1 million were White, 14.4 million were Hispanic, 7.4 million were Black, 2.7 million were Asian, 2.5 million were of Two or more races; 449,000 were American Indian/Alaska Native; and 182,000 were Pacific Islander.” There is diversity all around me whenever I sit in a classroom at Bettye Myers Middle School.

Though I cannot control your thoughts and decisions, I can give you information to go off of when you go through your life. Please consider carefully what I said and decide wisely the path you take because of your knowledge.

Public schools have long been the backbone of the American education system, but growing concerns over student safety, bullying, and academic effectiveness are prompting parents and students to seek alternatives. The tragic story of Aubreigh Wyatt, a 13-year-old who died by suicide in September 2023, has reignited discussions about the shortcomings of public education. According to her mother, Heather Wyatt, Aubreigh suffered relentless bullying at school, yet the administration failed to take action, despite being aware of the situation.

This heartbreaking incident is not isolated. Many students and parents across the country report feeling let down by public schools. In a recent student-led poll, respondents expressed a preference for the social opportunities offered by public education but criticized the quality of learning. One student remarked, “I think school is fun for some reason, but I don't like the school education system.” Another student noted that homeschooled children often learn at a faster pace due to a more focused and efficient curriculum.

Safety is another pressing concern. According to research from the Rockefeller Institute, 25% of mass shootings between 1966 and 2022 occurred at schools. Parents are increasingly asking why more isn’t being done to prevent school violence. Many argue that public schools prioritize budget concerns over student security, leaving children vulnerable to bullying and potential attacks.

Bullying, in particular, remains a significant issue. A report from athealth.com states that "bullying most frequently occurs in and around schools, particularly in areas with little adult supervision." Even anti-bullying laws have limited effectiveness, with bestrong.global reporting that "the best policies only reduce bullying incidents by 20%." Students often feel that school officials fail to address these issues adequately, leading to lasting emotional and psychological harm.

With these concerns in mind, many families are exploring alternatives such as charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling. Charter schools offer greater flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods. A study by Success Academies highlights how "charter schools can quickly adapt to student needs, making changes in real time to improve educational outcomes." These institutions also foster a more inclusive and responsive environment for students.

Private schools, while costly, provide a structured and secure learning atmosphere. Research indicates that private schools emphasize personal responsibility and ethics, contributing to a safer environment. They also offer tailored instruction that allows teachers to focus on individual student strengths and weaknesses, better preparing students for college and beyond.

For some families, homeschooling presents the best alternative. While challenging for working parents, many find ways to make it feasible through private tutors or online learning programs. According to Classical Conversations, parents often choose homeschooling due to dissatisfaction with public education, believing it provides a superior academic experience. The report also highlights that homeschooling shields children from negative influences such as bullying and substance abuse, common concerns in public schools.

Students who have experienced multiple educational settings reinforce these findings. One student who attended public, charter, and homeschooling programs shared that charter schools offer a more accepting community and advanced academic opportunities. They also noted that homeschooling provided greater independence, personalized instruction, and flexibility in learning, contributing to a more effective educational experience.

Public schools play a critical role in shaping the next generation, but the ongoing issues of safety, bullying, and educational quality raise significant concerns. As society looks to the future, parents, educators, and policymakers must consider how to create a more effective and secure learning environment for students. Whether through reforming public education or promoting alternative schooling options, ensuring the well-being and academic success of children should remain a top priority.