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Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, schools have been rapidly changing their policies from having classwork being digital to having class hours be lengthened. One of these policy changes that has been a hot topic for debate is the removal of graded homework. Some see graded homework as a way for students to get consistent practice while others see graded homework as a nuisance that will only stress students out.

In the realm of education, the role of homework has been a topic of debate for decades. Should it be an essential part of a student’s academic journey, or should it be left to a teacher to decide? At Ayala, this debate has recently gained new dimensions with the introduction of optional homework in AP Chemistry. While some students praise this policy as a beacon of freedom, others worry that it could undermine their academic progress.

One of the emerging viewpoints on optional homework is the autonomy it gives to students. The lack of a grade on homework makes assignments more flexible for students as they have no deadline to complete assignments.

“I like it cause there’s no pressure, I can just do it on the weekends when I have more time to do the practice problems. I could just do it on my own time instead of having to cram everything in on one day to get it done,” current AP Chemistry student Lukas Cao (12) said.

This flexibility can be a positive element as the lack of urgency will test one’s time management, foster one’s sense of responsibility, as well as simulate what post-high school life will be like. As an adult, there are fewer hard deadlines and it is up to oneself to make sure one is on task and working.

“It reflects what work done in college is like. In college, you don’t turn in homework. There’s a set of suggested problems that you do so if you do want the practice, you do the suggested problems, talk to a TA or your teacher, and you can ask questions. Other than that, homework is not graded in college,” AP Chemistry teacher Ms. Lisa Garcia said.

While some believe that ungraded homework builds responsibility and autonomy in students, others argue that this freedom will give students more ways to slack off.

“I mean I like that there’s no homework, but I wish there were some assignments to act like review for the stuff before the test. If you actually don’t do any of the worksheets even though there’s no homework, you kinda fail the test, so it is optional, but if you don’t do it, you fail the class,” former AP Chemistry student Aiden Choe (12) said.

This sentiment of ungraded homework leading to procrastination and less practice is echoed by several teachers. AP Calculus AB teacher Mr. Adam Sjol points out that without graded homework, students might delay their practice, leading to last-minute cramming and hindering the development of essential skills.

“The first year I taught calculus, we checked homework. It was every Friday or every Monday and after a couple weeks those kids were smart enough they were like, ‘Hey can you just collect it every day, cause we’re all just waiting til the very last minute in doing it and we’re not getting that practice in,’” Mr. Sjol said.

As the education landscape evolves, it’s clear that the role of a teacher is pivotal in guiding students through these nuanced decisions. The value of self-discipline and independent learning cannot be undermined, but without the scaffold of structured assignments, the pursuit of academic excellence might falter.

While the spirit of self-discipline thrives under this new policy, educators must remain vigilant to ensure that students don’t unwittingly compromise their learning journey. The debate over the role of homework continues, reminding us that the path to academic achievement requires careful consideration, open dialogue, and an unwavering commitment to preparing students for the challenges that lie ahead.