A few weeks ago, I read a story in examiner.com, about a student, now 25, and a cum-laude graduate from college, who made his homework optional, both in high school and in college. Intrigued, I emailed his mother, Julia Rhodes, to find out a little more. She told me that her son, who had beenContinue reading “Student Made His Homework Optional”
Author Archives: Sara Bennett
Connecticut School District Slows Down Its Math Curriculum and Its Students Learn More
Here’s an interesting story from this week’s New York Times about how the high-performing Westport, Connecticut, school district has created its own math materials and slowed down its curriculum, resulting in students who ultimately learn and understand more. Math students in this high-performing school district used to rush through their Algebra I textbooks only toContinue reading “Connecticut School District Slows Down Its Math Curriculum and Its Students Learn More”
From My Mailbox–A Former Graduate Student Speaks Out
I received the following email from a former-graduate student: A Former Graduate Student Speaks Out I admire your mission. The subject of how I spent my life doing homework and what turned out to be worthless schooling is a subject I often cry and get angry about, but a past situation I would for oneContinue reading “From My Mailbox–A Former Graduate Student Speaks Out”
Guest Blogger–A College Teacher Says, “We Hold Their Hands Too Much”
Today’s guest blogger, K, has been teaching science at a small independent college for over a decade. She spends her leisure time learning from her three young boys. You can read more of her random thoughts at her blog: raisingthewreckingcrew. We Hold Their Hands Too Much by K, a College Teacher Having your teen carryContinue reading “Guest Blogger–A College Teacher Says, “We Hold Their Hands Too Much””
Interview With Kerry Dickinson, a California Parent Who Successfully Changed Homework Policy in Her District
Today’s interview is with Kerry Dickinson, who has written many times for this blog including here, here, here, and here. Kerry, who has a M.A. in Reading, was a part-time teacher in Michigan before she had children. She now lives in Danville, California, with her husband and 9th and 7th grade sons and is currentlyContinue reading “Interview With Kerry Dickinson, a California Parent Who Successfully Changed Homework Policy in Her District”
Interview with Needham, MA, High School Principal, Who Has Taken Numerous Steps to Reduce Stress
Today’s interviewee is Paul Richards, who is in his fifth year as principal of Needham High School in Needham, Massachusetts. During his tenure, he has studied and surveyed student stress and tried a variety of measures aimed at reducing it. The father of a kindergartner and first grader, Richards is leaving Needham high at theContinue reading “Interview with Needham, MA, High School Principal, Who Has Taken Numerous Steps to Reduce Stress”
Interview with New York City Fourth-Grade Teacher who Doesn’t Want to Assign Homework but Doesn’t Want to Break the Rules Either
Today’s interview is with Anthony, who has been teaching for five years at a New York City public school where he is a fourth-grade teacher. He holds a B.A. in Psychology and a Masters in Childhood Education from New York University. This year, he was accepted into Teachers Network Leadership Institute, a “professional community ofContinue reading “Interview with New York City Fourth-Grade Teacher who Doesn’t Want to Assign Homework but Doesn’t Want to Break the Rules Either”
Interview with Mike Falick, a Texas School Board Member Who Has Made Homework One of His Priorities
Today’s interviewee, Mike Falick, a lawyer, is a current member and past-president of the Spring Branch Independent School Board of Trustees in Texas. Falick, who grew up in this 32,000-student district in Houston, moved back when he had his own children (now in 9th and 6th grades) so they could go to the same schoolsContinue reading “Interview with Mike Falick, a Texas School Board Member Who Has Made Homework One of His Priorities”
Interview with Jodie Leidecker, Kentucky Parent Who Successfully Pushed her Local Elementary School to Institute Daily Recess
Today’s interview is with Jodie Leidecker, a native Kentuckian and a graduate of Berea College, the first interracial and coeducational college in the South. Leidecker lives in Berea, Kentucky, with her husband and their two children, a 9th grader and her currently home-schooled 10-year-old. She pushed her local elementary school to institute daily recess andContinue reading “Interview with Jodie Leidecker, Kentucky Parent Who Successfully Pushed her Local Elementary School to Institute Daily Recess”
Interview with Christine Hendricks, Principal of Wyoming Elementary School with a No-Homework Practice
Over the last few months, I’ve conducted interviews with educators and activists around the country who’ve been on my radar as people who are doing their best to change policy and practice in their communities. I’m going to run the interviews this week. To kick off this series, I’m thrilled to introduce Christine Hendricks, theContinue reading “Interview with Christine Hendricks, Principal of Wyoming Elementary School with a No-Homework Practice”
Stop Homework 