Today’s guest blogger, Amanda Cockshutt, writes her thoughts on a Middletown, Ohio, editorial, which opposed a school board’s proposal to eliminate the grading of homework. Amanda, who lives in New Brunswick, Canada, was instrumental in getting her local elementary school to reexamine its homework policy. Her school now has no homework on nights of majorContinue reading “Guest Blogger: Muddled Thinking in Middletown, Ohio”
Author Archives: Sara Bennett
Liberty, Missouri, Math Teacher Gives Less Homework and Finds Students Learn More
A math teacher from Liberty, Missouri, revamped his own personal homework practice after noticing that his students’ grades were unnecessarily low because they didn’t complete the numerous math problems he assigned. According to KCCommunityNews, the teacher began assigning math homework twice a week, never on weekends, and only a few problems. Then, after discussing andContinue reading “Liberty, Missouri, Math Teacher Gives Less Homework and Finds Students Learn More”
First Monday
This coming Monday is the first Monday in June. As suggested in The Case Against Homework, and in this blog every month, I recommend that every parent send a note expressing her/his views on homework to teachers, administrators, or School Board members on the first Monday of every month. This Monday is the perfect timeContinue reading “First Monday”
From my Mailbox: Letter from a Twenty-Something
I usually receive mail from parents, students, teachers, or mental health professionals. So, I enjoyed hearing this perspective from Tammy, who gave me permission to reprint her email: Thank you for fighting a good fight. I’m 27, I have no kids. And I feel that when I was a kid I was robbed of aContinue reading “From my Mailbox: Letter from a Twenty-Something”
Guest Blogger: The Importance of Getting a Break
Today’s guest blogger is Kate McReynolds, a child clinical psychologist who is currently the Assistant Editor of Encounter: Education for Meaning and Social Justice. I met Kate while working on The Case Against Homework and, whenever I get the opportunity to talk to her, or read her writing, I feel lucky to spend time withContinue reading “Guest Blogger: The Importance of Getting a Break”
Ohio School District, Continued
I had a conversation today with Steve Price, the School Superintendent of Middletown, Ohio, where school board members are considering a policy which would eliminate the grading of homework. Price, who supports the policy, is hearing from parents who think it’s a bad idea. From the editorial in the local newspaper, you’d think the schoolContinue reading “Ohio School District, Continued”
Canadian Teens Clock 50-Hour Work Week
According to Statistics Canada, more than 60 percent of Canadian teenagers spend, on average, 2-1/3 hours a day on homework, helping to contribute to their 50-hour week spent in school, at jobs, and on homework and housework. The
Norwalk, Connecticut, Board of Education Considers Homework Policy Change
The policy committee of the Norwalk, Connecticut, Board of Education, is considering updating its policy on homework. According to The Stamford Advocate, the proposed policy states: “‘Homework should never be assigned as a punishment, nor should it be removed as a reward in order to avoid the negative perception of homework.” The report recommends: *Continue reading “Norwalk, Connecticut, Board of Education Considers Homework Policy Change”
Ohio School District Considers Eliminating Homework Grade
I’m interested to see what happens in the Middletown, Ohio, School District, where school board members are deciding on a policy amendment that would eliminate grading on homework assignments. Although the Board thinks homework is “very important,” the removal of the grade is to ensure that teachers grade students for their work, not the workContinue reading “Ohio School District Considers Eliminating Homework Grade”
Child Counselor Protests Homework in Arizona
A child counselor from Arizona who believes that children shouldn’t be given homework before sixth grade has taken to the streets to protest homework. According to azfamily.com, the counselor, who is leading the weeklong protest at a street corner, doesn’t think children should be given homework before sixth grade. “They’re already getting in trouble inContinue reading “Child Counselor Protests Homework in Arizona”
Stop Homework 