Author Archives: Sara Bennett

A High School Junior Speaks Out–Dear Secretary of Education

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 andContinue reading “A High School Junior Speaks Out–Dear Secretary of Education”

What to do When the Teacher Tells You Your Child has ADHD

Here’s a very good answer by Dr. Yvonne Fournier, to the question of what to do when the teacher tells you your child has ADHD and should be medicated: DEAR DR. FOURNIER: We were summoned to our daughter’s school, told she is ADHD and instructed to get her on the meds. My neighbor says ADHDContinue reading “What to do When the Teacher Tells You Your Child has ADHD”

Reading First–Does Intensive Decoding Instruction Contribute to Reading Comprehension?

I’ve written about the trouble with packaged reading programs before. Today, I’m linking to a piece by Stephen Krashen, professor emeritus at the University of Southern California. In this piece, Krashen writes that children do not improve their reading comprehension skills through those packaged reading programs. Does Intensive Decoding Instruction Contribute to Reading Comprehension? byContinue reading “Reading First–Does Intensive Decoding Instruction Contribute to Reading Comprehension?”

“I Hate Reading Logs,” says FedUp Mom

This is the sixth post by FedUp Mom, the mother of a fifth grader. FedUp Mom’s daughter used to attend a public school in suburban Philadelphia, but this year FedUp Mom moved her to a private Quaker school, hoping for a more relaxed environment. You can read her other posts here, here, here, here andContinue reading ““I Hate Reading Logs,” says FedUp Mom”

New Jersey Parents–Act by Tuesday to Make Sure New Jersey Children Get Recess

Today’s guest blogger, Karen Cecere, is a Howell, New Jersey, parent who got recess restored in her community last year and is now fighting to get recess for all New Jersey children. She is a Girl Scout leader, active PTA member, and is extremely concerned with the growing lack of time for children to beContinue reading “New Jersey Parents–Act by Tuesday to Make Sure New Jersey Children Get Recess”

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Calgary, Alberta

Unfortunately, not everyone in Canada has been having the same luck as Frank Bruni of Toronto and Dale O’Dair of Niagara Falls. For over a year now, Shelli and Tom Milley, the parents of three children, have been trying to get their children’s school in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to institute a reasonable homework policy. TheyContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Calgary, Alberta”

New Zealand Study Finds Teacher Feedback Important

A major study conducted at a New Zealand University and based on research into 83 million students around the world found that “the key to effective teaching is the quality of the feedback students get and their interaction with teachers.” According to New Zealand’s Sunday Star Times, the study casts serious doubt on the importanceContinue reading “New Zealand Study Finds Teacher Feedback Important”

Good News to Start off 2009–Private School Changes Homework Policy after Talk by Alfie Kohn

I recently heard from Alfie Kohn that he spoke to teachers, administrators, and parents at an independent school in the Northwest. After that visit, the lower school division director wrote to the parents: As a result of Kohn’s visit and our discussions, and after I did even more research from other books and articles fromContinue reading “Good News to Start off 2009–Private School Changes Homework Policy after Talk by Alfie Kohn”

Zine: A Students’ Guide to Taking Back the Classroom

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, “AContinue reading “Zine: A Students’ Guide to Taking Back the Classroom”