Author Archives: Sara Bennett

From My Mailbox: How a Teacher/Parent Handles Homework

A teacher in a K-12 school in Wisconsin, who thinks homework cuts too much into her family time, asked me how to approach her son’s teachers, who are also her colleagues. I gave her a few ideas and this is what she wrote me back: I just wanted to let you know I made itContinue reading “From My Mailbox: How a Teacher/Parent Handles Homework”

Stop Homework Forms an Alliance with Alliance for Childhood

My project, Stop Homework, is now affiliated with Alliance for Childhood, which “promotes policies and practices that support children’s healthy development, love of learning, and joy in living.” In addition to this blog, I work to change homework policy and practice by, among other things, helping parents figure out how to advocate for change inContinue reading “Stop Homework Forms an Alliance with Alliance for Childhood”

From My Mailbox: Science Fair Project for a Second Grader

A mother from Doral, Florida sent me a copy of her second grader’s science fair project requirements. The entire project is to be done at home. The mother, a chemical engineer, thought the project was way beyond the capabilities of any second grader, so she wrote to both the teacher and the principal expressing herContinue reading “From My Mailbox: Science Fair Project for a Second Grader”

No Big Surprise: Study Links Drop in Test Scores to a Decline in Time Spent Reading for Pleasure

According to an article in The New York Times, the National Endowment for the Arts released a report showing that as students read less for fun, their reading test scores are declining. In addition, “performance in other academic disciplines like math and science is dipping for students whose access to books is limited, and employersContinue reading “No Big Surprise: Study Links Drop in Test Scores to a Decline in Time Spent Reading for Pleasure”

Great News: Wyoming Elementary School Continues No-Homework Practice

I just learned from Christine Hendricks, the principal of Grant Elementary School in Glenrock, Wyoming, that her school, which implemented a no-homework practice in September, is going to continue its practice for the foreseeable future. After a trial run, and surveying the parents, Hendricks shared her findings with the School Board. Among other things, theContinue reading “Great News: Wyoming Elementary School Continues No-Homework Practice”

“I Hate Homework,” says Jeff Opdyke of the Wall Street Journal

So many readers have pointed me to an article in the Wall Street Journal How Homework Is Hurting Our Family by Jeff Opdyke that I’m posting it here. He begins: I hate school! Yes, I know that’s a bit immature for someone 41 years old. But it’s true. I hate school — so much soContinue reading ““I Hate Homework,” says Jeff Opdyke of the Wall Street Journal”

Mothers Organize Against Homework in Santiago, Chile

I recently heard from Viviana Izzo, a mother of 4 from Santiago, Chile, who, with her friend, Teresa Castro, met with their children’s small school to express their concerns about homework. Since then, a Santiago newspaper ran an article about their attempts to change homework policy, they were interviewed on TV, and they have startedContinue reading “Mothers Organize Against Homework in Santiago, Chile”

Step 2 in San Marino, California

In my previous blog entry, I wrote about Tracy Mason, of San Marino, California, who is organizing parents to challenge homework policies in her District. Here’s her follow-up email to parents who have expressed interest, urging them to come to the meeting, sign an online petition, and vote in the School Board election. (In TheContinue reading “Step 2 in San Marino, California”

Mother of Three Begins to Organize in San Marino, California

Less than a month ago, I heard from Tracy Mason, a mother of 3 from San Marino, California, who had experienced (one of many) long afternoons helping my 11 year old daughter battle the mound of homework she had been assigned. After “we” were finished, I decided to go online to see what I couldContinue reading “Mother of Three Begins to Organize in San Marino, California”