Today’s “Mom on a Mission” is Krisi Repp, a mother of three from Gray Summit, Missouri, with students in public elementary, middle, and high schools. A stay-at-home mother for the past 12-1/2 years, Krisi recently returned to work part-time. Here is a letter she wrote to all of her children’s teachers, right before the beginningContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission: Gray Summit, Missouri”
Author Archives: Sara Bennett
New Study: Piling on Homework Doesn’t Work
According to a study released in mid-August by researchers at Binghamton University and the University of Nevada, math homework may not be useful for average achieving students. While it may help high and low achievers, homework for the bulk of students is a waste of time. Here’s what the press release states: Published in theContinue reading “New Study: Piling on Homework Doesn’t Work”
Guest Blogger: A High School Student Speaks Out
The school year has just started and I’ve been inundated with letters from students, mostly high schoolers, who are crying out for help. I’ve run pieces by students in the past, but I intend to run even more this school year. I hope their words will move you to action. Today’s entry is by AbigailContinue reading “Guest Blogger: A High School Student Speaks Out”
In Memoriam: Kate McReynolds
My very good friend, Kate McReynolds, died last Friday after a year-long struggle with lung cancer. I became friends with Kate after I interviewed her for The Case Against Homework. During my interview, I was struck by how incredibly articulate she was. In fact, although all of the professionals I interviewed for the book–and thereContinue reading “In Memoriam: Kate McReynolds”
Moms (and Dads) on a Mission: Plumsted, New Jersey
I’ve been hearing from a lot of parents (mostly moms), who sent letters to their children’s teachers and/or principals in the hopes of starting a dialogue about homework. I hope the letters, which I will be posting off and on, will inspire you to also start a dialogue in your community. The first letter isContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission: Plumsted, New Jersey”
Guest Bloggers get Media Attention in their Own Communities
If you’re a regular visitor to Stop Homework, you know that I often write about what parents are doing in their own communities to challenge homework policies and practices or, better yet, have parents write about their experiences themselves. Many journalists visit Stop Homework to get ideas for stories, and they ask me to putContinue reading “Guest Bloggers get Media Attention in their Own Communities”
New York City Begins Standardized Testing of Kindergartners
New York City has come up with a new plan–to give standardized tests, some as long as 90 minutes, to kindergartners. Earlier this week, the New York Daily News ran my op-ed opposing the idea. Mayor’s plan fails our kids BY SARA BENNETT Mayor Bloomberg’s plan to give standardized tests to students in kindergarten throughContinue reading “New York City Begins Standardized Testing of Kindergartners”
Canadian Elementary School Bans Homework
Welcome back to Stop Homework. And what better way to start off the school year than with encouraging news from an elementary school in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, north of Toronto, which just banned homework. Among the reasons: * there is no clear link between homework and academic achievement * poor students are at a distinctContinue reading “Canadian Elementary School Bans Homework”
Highlights of the School Year 2007-2008
I won’t be posting again until September, but I will be answering email, so please feel free to write me with your questions, concerns, and requests for speaking engagements. If you’re looking for an end-of-the-year gift for your children’s teachers, consider giving The Case Against Homework. When teachers and administrators read it, they think about,Continue reading “Highlights of the School Year 2007-2008”
Another Scholastic Survey Finds Kids Don’t Do Enough Pleasure Reading
According to a survey released today by Scholastic, many children in the USA are too busy, too distracted and, in some cases, too tired to read books for fun. Schoolwork, homework and the inability to find a book they like keeps most children from doing more than their required school reading. The findings are similarContinue reading “Another Scholastic Survey Finds Kids Don’t Do Enough Pleasure Reading”
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