Author Archives: Sara Bennett

A Tenth Grader Speaks Out–”My Curiosity and Desire to Learn is Constantly Shrinking” Because of Excessive Homework

About a year ago, I posted a piece by a New York City private school 10th grader, I love School, but it’s Killing Me. I was reminded of her when I received a call from the mother of a New York City 10th grader, whose daughter was spending 6 hours on homework a night andContinue reading “A Tenth Grader Speaks Out–”My Curiosity and Desire to Learn is Constantly Shrinking” Because of Excessive Homework”

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – Calgary, Alberta Family Gets to Opt-Out of Homework after a Two-Year Struggle with their Children’s Schools

Almost two years ago, I wrote about Shelli and Tom Milley, the parents of three children in Calgary, Alberta, who were trying to change homework policy and, at the very least, get an opt-out policy for their own children. At that point, the two lawyers had already been discussing the issue with the school forContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – Calgary, Alberta Family Gets to Opt-Out of Homework after a Two-Year Struggle with their Children’s Schools”

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – Midland Texas – “Finally, We Have Family Time Again.”

Last week, I got an email from Laura Reeger North, a mother of three from Midland, Texas, who was a teacher for five years in an alternative education program before the birth of her last child. Laura, who gave me permission to reprint her emails and use her name, wrote to me last week andContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – Midland Texas – “Finally, We Have Family Time Again.””

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – Austin, Texas

Today’s post is by Cynthia Schultz, a a former teacher with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and concentrations in English and Special Education. She was educated and taught in Minnesota, one of the few states where she feels education still matters. A single mom by choice, with a daughter she adopted from Kazakhstan inContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – Austin, Texas”

Needham High School Parents’ Thoughts on Homework

I’ve written about Needham, Massachusetts, high school in this blog before (here and here) and last spring I posted an interview with the outgoing principal, Paul Richards, who had taken numerous steps to reduce stress at the school. In June, the school released the results of its homework survey of parents. A question on theContinue reading “Needham High School Parents’ Thoughts on Homework”

Another School With an Opt-Out Policy

I am always looking for schools that have homework opt-out policies, but they seem to be few and far between. Last November, I posted a link to a school in Australia with an opt-out policy. A reader who has been trying to get opt-out policies at her children’s Alberta schools recently sent me a linkContinue reading “Another School With an Opt-Out Policy”

Why “Race to the Top” will Fail

My favorite education blogger, Susan Ohanian, posted a link to this wonderful piece by Marion Brady in the Washington Post. The One Reason Duncan’s “Race to the Top Will Fail By Marion Brady November 4, 2009 When “Race to the Top” fails, as it will, the main reason won’t be any of those currently beingContinue reading “Why “Race to the Top” will Fail”

Hooray (again) for Canada – Simcoe County District in Ontario Implements Decent New Homework Policy

In April, I wrote about a school in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, which, after eliminating most homework, found that students were more engaged and less tired and teachers were more focused. Now, the County District in which that school is located, Simcoe, just instituted a new district-wide homework policy. Some of the things that I particularlyContinue reading “Hooray (again) for Canada – Simcoe County District in Ontario Implements Decent New Homework Policy”

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – More from Halifax, Nova Scotia

Today’s guest blogger, the mother of a second grader, lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She holds a masters degree in psychology and works full time doing psychometric testing of adults. She has written two previous entries here and here. Why Homework Doesn’t Work by Psych Mom I’ve become a believer in the last year thatContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – More from Halifax, Nova Scotia”