When we talk about learning gaps among younger students, we often focus on attendance, curriculum, teacher quality and classroom resources. But there is a critical, and often overlooked, factor: what happens at home. From a quiet place to study, to a reliable computer or internet connection, to a parent or caregiver who can assist when needed, the home environment plays a crucial role in whether students actually reinforce and extend their school learning.

Research from the U.S. shows that about 17% of teens say they are often or sometimes unable to complete homework assignments because they don’t have reliable home computer or internet access.  Even for younger children, studies show the so-called “homework gap” is a serious issue: a report by All4Ed found that 16.9 million children in the U.S. remain logged out from instruction at home because their families lack high-speed internet or a computer. While these figures focus on older students, the patterns are highly relevant for Grades 1–5, where tasks may not require complex devices, but still depend on consistent support.

According to the Fordham Institute, children from low-income households spend significantly fewer hours on homework than their more advantaged peers, partly because of barriers such as technology, quiet space, and parental help. This means that when some children spend extra time reinforcing school learning at home, their peers without those supports fall further behind. Over time, the gap widens.

          Why Younger Grades Are Especially Vulnerable

Elementary grades are when literacy and numeracy foundations are established: children learn to read, write, count, and begin problem-solving. If these foundations are weak, all later learning becomes more difficult. When home support is inconsistent, younger students are at risk of missing crucial reinforcement of those early skills.

For example, a 2006 meta-analysis of homework research found that in elementary school, homework had little to no positive association with achievement, unless home support mechanisms were in place. This suggests that without a predictable home environment that allows children to practice and review, simply assigning homework may be ineffective, which means those without support fall behind.

Moreover, younger students often need scaffolding: help from adults or tools that guide practice. Without it, homework may become frustrating or be skipped entirely. The homework divide is thus not just about access, but also about support, environment, and opportunity.

The Pandemic Exposed and Expanded the Homework Divide

The global shift to remote and blended learning during the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the homework divide into sharp relief. A study in 2023 called the digital inequities the “homework gap” and highlighted how students without robust home technology, broadband, or devices were at a stark disadvantage. With many elementary classrooms relying on online platforms or take-home assignments during closures, children without structured home support lost out.

Even as schools reopened, the ripple effects persisted. Younger students who missed early foundational instruction and lacked home reinforcement began the next year further behind than ever before. The learning crisis now includes a home-based dimension: inconsistent homework support and unequal environments.

What Parents, Schools and Nonprofits Can Do

Addressing the homework divide requires a multi-pronged approach:

• Structured, accessible curriculum for home use. Younger students benefit from lessons that are designed for independent or semi-independent learning, with clear guidance and minimal reliance on high-tech equipment.

• Parental support tools. Parents don’t need to be expert tutors, but they do need tools (short videos, worksheets, dashboards) that help them support learning at home.

• Offline and low-tech access. In homes without reliable internet or devices, learning tools must work offline, on simple devices, or with print materials.

• Progress tracking and targeted feedback. When teachers, parents or nonprofits can monitor homework and practice outside school, they can intervene sooner and help students catch up.

How AHS Education Helps Bridge the Homework Divide

At AHS Education, we recognise that home support varies widely, and we built our platform to support children, parents and educators where home instruction capacity is limited. Here’s how:

• A complete Grades 1–5 curriculum aligned to U.S. standards, designed for early learners.

• Interactive video lessons coupled with printable worksheets and auto-graded activities, enabling practice even without parental tutoring.

• Parent-friendly dashboards that show student progress, areas of struggle and next-step lessons, empowering families to support their child’s learning.

• Offline and mobile-friendly functionality, so children can use materials even with limited or no internet at home.

• Free (or deeply subsidised) access for parents, nonprofits and schools, ensuring cost is not the barrier.

By giving students reliable, structured learning at home and giving parents the tools to help, we contribute to narrowing the homework divide. We aim to ensure that practice, reinforcement and progress monitoring happen consistently—whether school ended or homework begins.

If you are a parent feeling uncertain about how to support your child’s learning at home…

If you are a school leader or nonprofit trying to extend learning beyond the classroom…

Let AHS Education help. Visit AHSEdu.org today to explore how our Grades 1–5 curriculum and home-learning tools can level the playing field. Because learning shouldn’t stop at the end of the school day, and no child should be left behind.