Looks like a pair of researchers have gotten around to proving what many students have argued all along--too much homework may result in less prepared students. The researchers, Gerald K. LeTendre and David P. Baker, raise several issues associated with homework. One is that children of higher income families are more likely to receive help with homework, whereas students from poorer families may find the additional homework may increase hostility in the family. Even wealthy parents may see the homework more as an "instrusion into family time" instead of helpful exercises designed to further their child's education.

Here's a link to the Slashdot post where I found this story.