High school principal: Many students will complete and hand in assigned homework, even if doing so isn’t compulsory. Some will do more than assigned because they recognize it is an effective means of studying. Our school could therefore increase the amount of homework completed by students if we make doing so optional and present it as an alternative method of studying.
Teacher: This plan is likely to fail. A significant number of students will decide that all homework is optional and use the opportunity to spend less time overall on academics.
Which of the following, if true, would best support the principal’s plan, in light of the teacher’s concern?