A debate in New Jersey brought the homework controversy to light once again. The Galloway Township school district discussed whether students should be given homework-free weekends so that children could have more time with their families and for extracurricular activities and sports. At the time, the plan needed to go before the school board for a vote before it became official. In 2011, Galloway Township adopted a policy restricting weekend homework for elementary school students, according to NBC10 Philadelphia.
In 2026, the issue continues to resurface around the country as educators discuss once again how much homework is too much and whether it is actually counterproductive to the learning process. Public School Review has also explored this question in its guide to how much homework students should expect in public school.
Why Galloway Was Talking About Homework-Free Weekends
Galloway Township considered recommendations from district officials and school board members to limit the amount of homework students received. The recommendations came through research, as well as parent-teacher surveys. According to the Huffington Post, officials making the recommendations determined that less homework would allow additional time for students to focus on extracurricular activities and spend more quality time with their families.
Many parents and school officials in the district also voiced frustration over stressed students who could not seem to find enough hours in the day to complete assignments, especially when some of the homework looked like simple “busy work” on the surface.
“We really believe that when kids get to be kids, that benefits their academic performance in school,” Galloway Superintendent Dr. Annette Giaquinto told NBC Philadelphia. Many parents agreed with Giaquinto.
“I would be all for not having homework on the weekends,” Galloway parent Jennifer Arrom told NBC. “Monday through Friday is a good time and weekends should be spent with your family.” Some students were also in favor of the plan.
“People have sports,” Galloway sixth-grader Nicole Gruber told NBC. Gruber added, “I think that'd be a good idea and if there were tests on Monday, we could study for it and have a lot more time for it.”
This video explains how Galloway Township eliminated weekend homework.
The proposal drawn up by Galloway Township prohibited teachers from assigning homework on Friday that was due the following Monday. It also banned homework from being assigned over school holidays. A similar ban was already in effect in Upper Pittsgrove Township, Salem County.
Too Much Homework a Real Phenomenon?
Despite widespread support for such limits, there is still a question over whether reducing homework is the most effective path to higher student performance. A study by Harris Cooper, then with the Department of Psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia, found the link between time spent on homework and academic achievement was mostly dependent on grade level.
Cooper found, “The effects of homework on elementary students appear to be small, almost trivial; expectations for homework’s effects, especially short-term and in the early grades, should be modest. For high school students, however, homework can have significant effects on achievement.”
The Harris Cooper study also found that even in high school, “too much homework may diminish its effectiveness or even become counterproductive.” Cooper later summarized the commonly cited “10-minute rule,” which suggests about 10 minutes of homework per grade level each night, in a Duke Today discussion of homework research.
That means a first-grader might receive about 10 minutes of homework each night, while a fifth-grader could do up to 50 minutes. In 2026, this guideline remains one of the most frequently cited benchmarks for school homework policies, although many districts now also consider student stress, family schedules, access to technology, and after-school responsibilities.
Sara Bennett, co-author of The Case Against Homework: How Homework is Hurting our Children and What We Can Do About It, has argued that excessive homework can strain families and reduce students’ interest in learning. Alfie Kohn, author of The Homework Myth, told the Huffington Post, “It’s one thing to say we are wasting kids’ time and straining parent-kid relationships, but what’s unforgivable is if homework is damaging our kids’ interest in learning, undermining their curiosity.”
Kohn added that one of the core culprits of the excessive homework dilemma may well be the country’s obsession with standardized test scores. Kohn said, “The standards and accountability craze that has our students in its grip argues for getting tougher with children, making them do more mindless worksheets at earlier ages so that we can score higher in international assessments. It’s not about learning, it’s about winning.”
This video discusses the question, “Are we doing too much homework?”
The Case for Homework
However, there are some solid benefits to homework as well, including the ability to build study habits, self-discipline, and more effective time-management strategies. A report at NPR asked, “How many people would have learned their multiplication tables without at least some rote memorization or done those math sheets they hated so much if they weren’t required?”
Yes, there are definitive, measurable benefits to nightly assignments when they are purposeful and age-appropriate. So how do educators, parents, and students find a happy medium?
In 2026, the answer increasingly depends on quality rather than quantity. Public School Review’s article on the benefits and drawbacks of homework notes that homework works best when assignments reinforce classroom learning, help students practice important skills, and avoid unnecessary repetition.
Homework can also provide teachers with useful information about what students understand independently. For older students, especially those preparing for advanced coursework or college, homework may help develop persistence and independent study routines.
Recommendations from the Pros
Harris Cooper recommends that children get 10 minutes of homework each night as they progress from grade to grade. For example, first-graders could receive about 10 minutes of homework each night, while fifth-graders could do up to 50 minutes a night.
NPR also recommended that teachers focus on the quality of the homework assignments rather than simply the quantity. If homework can be effectively used to help students practice valuable skills that address their individual learning needs, it would be time well spent indeed.
For families, the nightly homework routine can still be challenging. Public School Review’s article on managing homework without the nightly power struggle offers practical strategies for reducing conflict while helping students build independence and accountability.
In many districts, 2026 homework policies now focus on balance. Teachers are encouraged to avoid assigning homework simply to fill time, to coordinate major assignments across classes, and to consider whether students have reliable internet access, quiet study space, or family responsibilities after school.
Looking Ahead
As far as homework over the weekends, that debate remains active. Galloway Township became an early example of a district willing to rethink the traditional homework routine, particularly for younger students. More than a decade later, the same questions remain relevant for public schools nationwide.
How much homework is enough? When does homework support learning, and when does it create stress without meaningful academic benefit? Should weekends be protected for family time, rest, sports, and extracurricular activities?
In 2026, the strongest answer may be moderation. Homework-free weekends may not be the right choice for every grade level or every district, but the larger conversation has pushed schools to think more carefully about the purpose of homework. When assignments are thoughtful, limited, and connected to classroom learning, homework can still serve a valuable role. When it becomes excessive or repetitive, it risks doing more harm than good.
Public School Review’s coverage of homework and healthy study environments provides additional guidance for parents looking to support students without turning schoolwork into a nightly battle.
