Is there such a thing as too much homework?  According to a group of Australian researchers, yes, there is.  In an evaluation that compared the number of hours a student spent on homework to their academic performance, a correlation was discovered.

In essence, the more homework a student was tasked with completing, the lower their average test scores were.  Results were consistent internationally for all standardized testing, according to the researchers.

While multiple hours of homework can be overbearing, researchers did not discount homework completely, stating that a few hours per week bolsters academic achievement and reinforces lessons learned while in school.

Experts also stressed the importance of pertinent homework, not “busy-work” that lacks stimulation and knowledge retention among students.

So what should students be focusing on during their after-school hours?  Though there is no clear answer for every student, learning a musical instrument or participating in extra-curricular activities also helps keep students engaged with their school and classmates.

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