Creating tasks with a focus on students’ autonomy—by providing choices, for example—helps them see the relevance of homework.

Chelsea was in 10th grade the first time I told her directly to stop doing her homework and get some sleep. I had been working with her since she was in middle school, treating her anxiety disorder.

Homework was probably first assigned the first time a teacher was frustrated that students weren’t learning enough—and that's probably when civilization began. Since then, legions of kids have pleaded ...

One user said, ‘It just looks like the teacher made a mistake,’ a sentiment echoed throughout the comment section.