A new study on the value of homework in high school reveal some perhaps predictable results.

Contrary to much published research, a regression analysis of time spent on homework and the final class grade found no substantive difference in grades between students who complete homework and those who do not.

But the analysis found a positive association between student performance on standardized tests and the time they spent on homework.

The researchers draw a conclusion about what homework should look like going forward to help improve grades.

“We’re not trying to say that all homework is bad,” Maltese says. “It’s expected that students are going to do homework. This is more of an argument that it should be quality over quantity.

“So in math, rather than doing the same types of problems over and over again, maybe it should involve having students analyze new types of problems or data. In science, maybe the students should write concept summaries instead of just reading a chapter and answering the questions at the end.”

That sounds like a superior approach to the mechanical practice and busywork I remember homework being.

(Source: Futurity)