By Rosemary Sullivan, '09

Proctor Academy offers a wide variety of academics ranging from AP courses to studying abroad, but some students feel that the homework load is too much to handle. Senior Annie Wagner formulated a survey with faculty and sent it out to students. The questions covered grade point averages, average time spent on homework, effort grades and whether or not students believe the homework is manageable. Each survey was completely anonymous.

            After the surveys were looked over, Annie found 98% of seniors and post graduation students, 77% of juniors and freshman, and 68% of sophomores are spending more than two hours on homework. When asked if the homework load caused stress related illnesses, 61% agreed and 39% disagreed.

            Annie plans on presenting this material to the Proctor faculty to improve teacher’s knowledge on student’s point of view on daily homework.  She hopes that teachers will start to consider this information and find ways to make it easier for students at night. Annie stated, “Students will do better if they are not so overwhelmed with lots of homework, sometimes too much is not productive.”

            The survey helped Annie and the faculty come to conclusions about homework; the point of homework is more quality of work than quantity, and to give students a chance to start work in class and have teachers be more aware of each students learning.