Podcasts
The Insight Podcasts from the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) are monthly audio episodes that explain important issues affecting Kansas schools in a way that students, families, and teachers can understand. They cover topics like how Kansas funds its schools, how to keep kids safe online, and how the education system has changed over time. Each episode features experts—such as Kansas education leaders—who talk about challenges, new ideas, and ways to support student learning. The goal is to help people across Kansas stay informed about what’s happening in education and why it matters.
The Homework Debate: Helpful or Outdated?
Apr 16, 2026
by Communications and Recognition Programs
Episode 14 | Apr. 16, 2026
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Homework has long been a fixture of the American education system, but its value remains contested more than a century after the debate began. According to educators and researchers, homework is neither inherently beneficial nor harmful—its impact depends largely on its purpose, design, and the age of the student.
Today, schools find themselves caught between competing priorities: maintaining high academic expectations while also protecting student well-being.
Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson speaks with two secondary Kansas educators who have much to say about how much homework is good for students.
Joining Commissioner Watson are:
- Taylor Bussinger, social studies teacher at Prairie Trail Middle School, Olathe USD 233
- Adam Topliff, social studies teacher at Wamego High School, Wamego USD 320
