Stop Homework

My name is Maya and I would like to thank you for making this website to inform people of this problem. I am a tenth grade student who is currently weighed down with so much homework I can barely handle it. I’ve been talked into higher level classes to better my chance at getting into college, and just tonight I have to read 10 pages of my textbook and take notes, create a five paragraph response, write the first two paragraphs of my research paper, 23 questions of math, and a biology worksheet, all of which was just assigned last class. That’s only half of my homework, not considering the next four classes on my other day. On top of being a generally anxious person and suffering from panic attacks, as soon as I get home from school I’m stressed with tons of work and get to bed late, when I have to wake up at 5:30 the next morning. I often find myself depressed and even suffering physically at my lack of free time, which I usually use to read and catch a few more hours of sleep. I hope we all can bring this matter to everyone’s attention, not as a complaining teenager, but as a hardworking student who just can’t deal with it all anymore. Thank you!

I think it’s fitting that today’s post is by a student who is seeking change at the very top.

Sheeva Seyfi, a junior at Laguna Hills High School in Southern California, sent me a letter she’s considering sending to the Department of Education. She very articulately outlines the problems so many high schoolers face and I hope you take the time to read it. Of course, I encouraged her to send it. I also encouraged her to get together some of her classmates so they can talk about, and find solutions to, the problems of stress at her school. (I hear from dozens of students just like Sheeva every day. I hope you are moved to do everything you can to try to change policies that are harming our children in so many ways.)

I always ask students who write to me to tell me a little about themselves, their schools, and what they’d do if they didn’t spend so much time on school work. This is what Sheeva told me:

Laguna Hills is a midsized public school with around 1800 students. Outside of school, playing soccer usually takes up most of my time. When I’m not playing soccer, I sometimes take part in a youth group dedicated to organizing philanthropy projects. I actually do enjoy reading and writing, as long as it’s a book or prompt of my choice. However, like any other high schooler,on the weekend I do my best to make time for friends or simple relaxing activities such as going to the movies and much needed couch/tv time.

Soccer is a great passion of mine, and playing in college has been a life long dream. To do so, playing on club team is basically mandatory. Due to increased homework, decreased sleep, and unmeasurable stress, I was forced to quit club soccer. Rather then spending weekends on the open grass field, I have been tucked behind my desk in my room finding questions to answers I will never again be asked after the test.

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Two years ago, right after The Case Against Homework was published, I heard from Dylan Baird, then a 16-year-old junior at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland. He was writing an article on homework for his school newspaper.

Now, Dylan and two friends, Breton Sheridan and Tom Stokes, have published a zine, “A Students’ Guide to Taking Back the Classroom”, which outlines the positive effects of increased student autonomy. The purpose of the zine is “not only to educate, but to call for cooperation between students and teachers in order to create a new classroom culture of respect, autonomy, and motivation.”

Please take the time to read the zine. The research and writing is impressive; the call to action should be responded to.

One of the criticisms always leveled at students who don’t want to do homework is that they’re “lazy” and headed for a life of drudgery at a low-paying job. Of course, these criticisms are baseless. In fact, many of the students I hear from are self-motivated, highly articulate, well-read, and passionate. Dylan, Breton, and Tom are shining examples.

In case you’re wondering where they are now, this is what they told me: “Breton Sheridan, age 18, is enrolled at Temple University and is pursuing his interest in education both radically, though current zine projects, and more conventionally, as he looks into a 5 year teaching program at Temple. Tom Stokes, age 18, is currently a freshman at Yale University and is pursing his love for art, as well as enjoying the diverse class options at Yale. Dylan Baird, age 18, recently returned from an 11 week road trip around the country and has now committed full time to working on various student empowerment projects.”

Let them know what you think of their zine at: structureproject@gmail.com. And, they would be thrilled if you distribute their zine wherever you can.

AND HAVE A HAPPY AND STRESS-FREE HOLIDAY. STOP HOMEWORK WILL RETURN ON JANUARY 5.

Adam, a seventh-grader from New Hampshire, wrote me an eloquent diatribe against homework:

I must be completely honest with you. I thought I had it bad, but reading some of your archives for summer assignments is terrible. My learning environment is second rate, my books date back to the mid 80s, my teachers are old enough to retire and crab at you all day, my school’s maximum capacity of students is supposedly gonna exceed by 46 next year. My fellow peers are real rebels and have lost their learning attitudes thanks to homework and studying. Because our test grades are so low, we must do an 8-10 sentence paragraph for every subject (even gym). Worse, whether yours is bad or good, you have to read yours to the class. It’s discouraging.

My math grades at the beginning of the year were superb. I was on the honor role! My average score was 97, but as school continued and the year progressed, homework did too. I’m now given two hard assignments for math per day. And guess what? As homework became harder and more plentiful, my grades decreased. Now, I hate school and want to drop out and be homeschoooled! In 1-6th grade, school was fun. Now it’s a pain and even in chemistry, my fav subject, I have to rush and ignore the teacher to secretly get tonight’s homework done to have enough time to play on the volley ball team. And guess what again! My 97 in math is now a 68. My highest score this past semester was a 78.

Down with homework!

Eric, a senior at a university in Maine, wrote to me last week:

I’m a senior attending my state’s university and I have to tell you, I was one who didn’t really care for doing or not doing my homework. I understand the importance of it- there isn’t enough class time to teach all that needs to be taught, but really? I mean I remember doing 2 hours of homework each night…short-cutting it doing only what I had to. This didn’t include all of the papers or special projects.
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Dear Sara,

I am 14 and homework burdens me ridiculously.

Below is a timeline of how overburdened today’s high school students are. Showing this to people (you have permission to alter or use it) may show them how packed everything is. Some details may differ from student to student but it is still reasonably accurate:

7:00–get up
7:30–leave for bus
Approx 8:15–arrive at school
3:00–leave school
3:30–get home; start homework
6:00–finish homework; eat dinner
6:30–finish dinner and go to sport/other activity
8:00–arrive home and do chores
8:15–finish chores and have “family time” ):
Relax or leisure until bed

As you can see, it’s pretty packed. You may not notice, but I haven’t even included a possible part-time job, social activities OR anything else.

The problem is that we just can’t fit anything more into everyday

I also believe part of the problem is that we get all the assignments at the same time

I don’t know how it is for you Americans but in Australia year 7 is HELL. We have primary and high school (Primary k-6), students are pounded and I have been pushed to breaking point.

Please keep up your efforts.

A few weeks ago, I posted a guest entry by high school student, Alexandra Keehan, who formed a Stunt the Stress club and website at her school. Alexandra is now trying to galvanize students everywhere. I sent out the following email to students who have contacted me or posted comments here. Please pass along Alexandra’s email to any students you think will be interested:

Let’s Stop the Stress
by Alexandra Keehan

My name is Alexandra Keehan, a senior in high school.

Sophmore year of high school was the hardest school year I had gone through yet and prompted me to start a Stunt the Stress club and web site.

The goal is to motivate students to make a change. One way to do that is through working with our educators. School stress can be relieved if we can enlighten and negotiate with teachers. As they say, “the wheel that squeaks gets the grease.”

Another important part in overcoming stress is to have the tools and resources to combat it. Believe it or not there are teachers, parents, and other adults helping our cause. By creating a network and sharing information be can better the situation and find support.

I believe if we work together we can make a difference. If you want to spread stress awareness and be part of the stress-free movement then email me, visit stuntthestress.com, and stay in contact with Sara.

Thanks,

Alexandra Keehan

The mother of a New York City public school student sent me this piece by her 10-year-old son.

Homework is NOT that necessary!!
by Daniel Goldstein

School work is enough. School is where you do all your learning. But home? Isn’t that the place you’re supposed to relax and have fun instead of doing 1 1/2 hours worth of homework. Most children think that it’s time for a little change. At least we could have the weekends off from homework. Please take our hope into consideration!

Please Understand!

Homework is a review of the days work and a reminder of tomorrows work. We understand how important homework is but is it completely necessary? Couldn’t we get a sheet just to help, but with no work on it. Homework can also be helpful for studying for tests, but can’t we use our regular school work?

We need a break! Now is the time!

With much hope,
Daniel Goldstein

(PS: We could spend “homework hour” playing outside and getting some exercise!!)