Author Archives: Sara Bennett

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Success in Niagara Falls, Canada

A few weeks ago, I received an email from Dale O’Dair, the father of a first-grader in Niagara Falls, Canada. Dale, who holds a post-graduate degree and whose mother is a retired teacher, was fed up on the Wednesday he wrote me, because he had already spent 3 to 4 hours that week helping hisContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Success in Niagara Falls, Canada”

Homework Ban in India Needs to be Enforced

Two years ago, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in India instituted a recommendation banning homework for primary students. According to a report issued at the time, “It is felt that at this age, learning should be as informal and joyous as possible so that there is time and scope for nourishing the mentalContinue reading “Homework Ban in India Needs to be Enforced”

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission-Two Months into Toronto’s New Homework Policy

Today’s guest blogger, Frank Bruni, the moving force behind Toronto, Canada’s new, family-friendly homework policy, write about how the new homework policy is working. You can read Frank’s earlier entries here and here and here . The Price of Homework Reform is Eternal Vigilance by Frank Bruni The news from Toronto is good. Homework reformContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission-Two Months into Toronto’s New Homework Policy”

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–More from Berea, Kentucky

If you caught yesterday’s blog post, then you can skip down a paragraph to find out how the Middle and High School responded to Jodie Leidecker’s email about reducing or eliminating homework. Jodie Leidecker, a mother of two from Berea, Kentucky, who has been involved in the movement to save recess, wrote to tell meContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–More from Berea, Kentucky”

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Berea, Kentucky

Jodie Leidecker, a mother of two from Berea, Kentucky, who has been involved in the movement to save recess, wrote to tell me that she was planning to approach her Site-based decision making council (Kentucky’s schools governing boards) about a low or no homework policy. In an effort to enlist some parental support in advance,Continue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–Berea, Kentucky”

Guest Blogger–Homework or Fearwork?

Today’s guest blogger, Angela Norton Tyler, is a teacher and parent from Sacramento, California. With a special focus on helping parents help their children become better students, Angela has put her energies into teaching parents how to improve the homework and reading skills of their children. In 2005, Angela published Tutor Your Child to ReadingContinue reading “Guest Blogger–Homework or Fearwork?”