In January, the LaSalle Parish school district in rural Louisiana announced a bold decision: no more homework for its 2,500 students. This change affects all students, from elementary to high school, with optional practice problems available upon parental request, according to Superintendent Jonathan Garrett.
Garrett noted that homework was a frequent source of complaints from both parents and students, often leading to negative feelings about school. He explained, “When there was a negative feeling about school, it usually stemmed from what kids are bringing home.” The district’s announcement resonated widely, becoming its most popular Facebook post this year and sparking interest from neighboring districts.
The move aligns with a broader trend away from homework, a shift supported by federal data showing a decline in math homework for fourth and eighth graders over the past decade. While some argue that less homework reduces student stress, research on its academic impact is mixed; some studies suggest it improves performance, while others find minimal benefits for younger children.
The debate over homework’s value is complicated by the rise of generative AI tools, which some students use to complete assignments. A Pew Research Center survey found that over half of teens use chatbots for schoolwork, influencing some educators to reduce homework. According to the EdWeek Research Center, 29% of teachers who assign less homework attribute this change to AI.
Some educators argue that practice is essential, especially in math, and the lack of homework might affect math achievement. However, experts like Joyce Epstein suggest designing shorter, purposeful assignments to balance quality and quantity. Epstein emphasized, “The interesting issue… is not should there be more homework, but should there be better homework.”
In LaSalle Parish, Garrett plans to compensate for lost practice time by allowing teachers to slow instruction, prioritizing in-class practice over covering every topic. This approach aims to benefit students long-term, though its effectiveness will be reviewed at semester’s end.
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