In November, I wrote about how Jodie Leidecker, a mother of two from Berea, Kentucky, who has been involved in the movement to save recess, had started to organize other parents to see about getting a low or no homework policy in her district. (You can read the previous entries here and here.)The principal wroteContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Even more from Berea, Kentucky”
Author Archives: Sara Bennett
Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–More from Danville, California
Kerry Dickinson, a mother from Danville, California, who last year got her school district to reevaluate its homework policy and institute a new one, recently held a screening of a film-in-progress, Slipping Behind, a documentary about the “intersection of youth, stress, education, opportunity and the global economy.” In a follow-up email to attendees, and othersContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–More from Danville, California”
From the Mouth of a Seventh-Grader
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 oldContinue reading “From the Mouth of a Seventh-Grader”
Teacher Recommends A Case Against Homework
It’s always gratifying when I come across an education blog where the writer recommends The Case Against Homework. In jbanana829.edublogs, a pre-K teacher and French tutor, writes: For a long time, I have had issues with homework. I think it is mostly busywork that takes up family time and causes a tremendous amount of stressContinue reading “Teacher Recommends A Case Against Homework”
How to Have a Homework-Reduced 2009
If you’re hoping that 2009 will be a better school year, homework-wise, why not give your child’s teacher a copy of The Case Against Homework: How Homework Is Hurting Our Children and What We Can Do About It? If s/he reads it over the holiday break, s/he just might return with a new, informed, andContinue reading “How to Have a Homework-Reduced 2009”
New Jersey Parents Fight for Recess
My favorite education blogger, Susan Ohanian, recently wrote about a group of New Jersey parents who fought to have recess restored in their community. Their efforts have spread statewide and now there’s a bill pending in the Legislature that would establish a task force to examine whether recess should be required in the state’s elementaryContinue reading “New Jersey Parents Fight for Recess”
Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–More from Niagara Falls, Canada
A few weeks ago, I wrote about Dale O’Dair, a dad from Niagara Falls who talked to the school about his first-grade daughter’s homework load (several hours a week). The very next day, the school wrote a note to all of the parents stating that homework booklets would be abolished. We have now spoken withContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–More from Niagara Falls, Canada”
From my Mailbox–A College Student Speaks Out
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 thatContinue reading “From my Mailbox–A College Student Speaks Out”
Scarsdale, New York, High School Phases out Advanced Placement
According to an article in The New York Times, “A year after Scarsdale became the most prominent school district in the nation to phase out the College Board’s Advanced Placement courses — and make A.P. exams optional — most students and teachers here praise the change for replacing mountains of memorization with more sophisticated andContinue reading “Scarsdale, New York, High School Phases out Advanced Placement”
Where are all the Children in the Parks?
I have an opinion piece posted on the National Wildlife Federation’s Green Hour Blog: Do you ever take a walk in the park and wonder where all the school-age children are? Do you walk by playgrounds in your neighborhood and notice that there aren’t any school-age children there either? I do and it breaks myContinue reading “Where are all the Children in the Parks?”
Stop Homework 