The Pressures and Benefits of Assigning Homework to Gifted Students

Teaching in a selective high school, I've experienced firsthand the unique challenges and pressures faced by educators when assigning homework to gifted students. While some parents and administrators advocate for more homework, others believe it should be minimized. This article explores the debate and the advantages of homework for academically advanced students.

Gifted Students and Their Workloads

In a selective high school, Year 7 and 8 students perform at a Year 11 to 12 level. Maintaining this high level of performance through the upper years requires constant engagement and intellectual stimulation. Assigning regular homework can be challenging, especially since these students often complete senior texts by the age of 12 or 13. Instead, we provide research assignments that are set at a tertiary level, which helps prevent boredom and ensures continued academic growth.

Parental Pressures and Expectations

I've encountered significant pressure from both parents and administrators regarding homework. On one side, parents of less advanced students appreciate structured homework, as it helps them monitor their child's progress and reinforce learning at home. On the other side, parents of students who are more playful and often distracted express frustration with the amount of homework assigned, citing school guidelines that suggest only 10 to 15 minutes of homework per night per grade level. For fifth and sixth-grade students, this guideline often doesn't align with the substantial work that they are required to complete.

Striking a Balance

As an educator, my primary focus is on ensuring that all students, including the most advanced ones, have meaningful and challenging work in class. For gifted students, homework should serve as an extension of in-class activities, providing additional and advanced challenges. This approach benefits both the students who need extra work and those who are keeping pace or even excelling.

One of my core beliefs is that homework should be assigned when students have not completed in-class tasks. This ensures that classroom time is efficiently used to explore and deepen understanding, while homework serves as reinforcement and practice. However, striking a balance can be challenging, as parents of all types of students have their own expectations and concerns. Some feel that too much homework is taking away from valuable in-class learning time, while others believe that without homework, students will not receive the necessary practice and reinforcement.

Homework's Role in Lifelong Learning

Homework is a critical component of the learning process, especially for gifted students. It serves as a means of repetition and reinforcement, guiding cognitive development and fostering the application of concepts in practical scenarios. In the 1990s, we implemented a practice of assigning homework on Friday afternoons to help parents understand what their children were learning and how to support them over the weekend. This approach ensures that students consolidate their learning and bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Conclusion

While the debate around homework continues, it is essential to recognize the benefits it brings to gifted students. By providing targeted homework assignments, educators can support students in maintaining high levels of academic engagement and ensuring their continuous growth. It is important to balance the needs of all students, both the advanced and the less advanced, to create a learning environment that is enriching and effective for everyone.