Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Education (Ed.D.)

Department

Administrative and Instructional Leadership

First Advisor

Anthony Annunziato

Second Advisor

Roger Bloom

Third Advisor

James Coviello

Abstract

This case study examined stakeholders’ perceptions of homework’s impact on elementary students’ emotional well-being and examined district policy structures designed to support student mental health. Grounded in John Sweller’s Cognitive Load Theory, the study explored how intrinsic, extraneous, and germane cognitive loads interact to elicit a range of emotional responses to homework. The researcher collected data through principal interviews, teacher focus groups, and parent surveys at the Long Island School District. The findings revealed that homework generates both positive and negative outcomes, depending on the assignment's complexity, the support provided, and the student's home environment. Students in primary grades (K – 2) showed twice the enthusiasm as students in intermediate grades (3 – 5). Furthermore, completion times for identical assignments ranged from 5 minutes to 2 hours, suggesting variability in cognitive load experiences. Teachers implemented responsive, flexible practices to protect student well-being; however, these approaches remained informal rather than required. When reviewing the district homework policy, it demonstrated strong instructional principles, but it lacked language on emotional well-being, creating a gap between the policy and documented student experiences. The study concluded that homework systematically advantages students with supportive home environments while disadvantaging students without them, raising equity concerns. Implications include the need for explicit well-being provisions in homework policy, monitoring of the emotional impact, differentiation and flexibility, and an honest examination of whether homework at the elementary level serves developmental needs, given minimal academic benefits and costs to student mental health, family relationships, and, at times, physical health.

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