At the elementary level, homework has near-zero effect on learning outcomes. At the secondary level, it only works under three conditions most homework never meets.

This episode draws in part on research in:

• Homework effectiveness across grade levels (Cooper, Hattie)
• Retrieval practice versus passive review (Roediger, Karpicke)
• Stress, cortisol, and memory consolidation (Lupien, McEwen)
• Working memory limits in children (Gathercole, Alloway)
• Parental involvement and student outcomes (Epstein, Fan & Chen)