Introduction According to the University of Phoenix, elementary students have around three hours of homework per week. Middle and high school students have around three hours of homework per teacher, and it’s not uncommon for a high school senior to have almost 18 hours of homework a week. Is spending all this time on homework worth it?
Constructive Debater 1 Henry Many studies show that homework improves a student’s grades, test results, and their likelihood of attending university. A research paper in the High School Journal states that spending at least an hour doing homework results in significantly better test scores. Studious children tend to score about 40 points higher on the math portion of the SAT than those who spend little time on homework. Furthermore, the Institute for the Study of Labor discovered that the amount of homework affects a student’s grade point average.
Constructive Debater 2 Ashley According to a poll of Californian high school students, around 59 percent said that they had too much homework. An overwhelming 82 percent said they were often stressed by homework, and about 43 percent stated that homework was their biggest source of stress. Moreover, the American Educational Research Association once said, “Whenever homework crowds out social experience, outdoor recreation, and creative activities, and whenever it usurps time that should be devoted to sleep, it is not meeting the basic needs of children and adolescents.”
Rebuttal Debater 1 Henry An article on newsobserver.com states that parents can track what their children are learning at school thanks to homework, and they can even see what their kids’ academic strengths and weaknesses are. And according to Loretta Waldman, a well-known author, class performance improves when parents get involved and help their children with their homework. In addition, a research team at Johns Hopkins University recommends a homework program called TIPS, which stands for “Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork,” for students who want good grades.
Rebuttal Debater 2 Ashley According to an article in the Review of Educational Research, in regards to test scores, “In elementary school, homework had no association with achievement gains.” Alfie Kohn, an American lecturer in the areas of education, parenting, and human behavior, found that students in the fourth grade who didn’t do their homework received pretty much the same score on a national math test as those who did 30 minutes of homework per day. Interestingly, those who spent at least 45 minutes doing their homework did worse.
Judge’s Comments Although Henry started off strong, his rebuttal didn’t refute any of Ashley’s claims. Instead, he brought up a completely new point. Ashley, however, provided a clear constructive argument and remembered to refute Henry’s claim that homework improves academic performance. Therefore, Ashley wins this week.
Chris Hong Copy Editor (ttt@timescore.co.kr)
1. According to Henry, what is one benefit of homework stated in the High School Journal?
2. According to Ashley, what is the primary problem of homework?
3. According to the judge, how did Ashley refute Henry's claim?
1. Do you think homework is beneficial to students? Why?
2. What homework do you usually do ?
3. What are some good excuses to give your teacher for not doing your homework?
Introduction
Constructive Debater 1 Henry
Constructive Debater 2 Ashley
Rebuttal Debater 1 Henry 
Rebuttal Debater 2 Ashley
Judge’s Comments
