The Toronto Homework Policy After Two Years: One Parent’s Perspective (part 2)

Be sure to read yesterday’s post before reading today’s, which is Part 2. The Toronto Homework Policy After Two Years: One Parent’s Perspective Part 2 by northTOmom Before I attempt to answer the question, “why two years later am I complaining about my children’s homework?” I should note that many parents I’ve spoken to haveContinue reading “The Toronto Homework Policy After Two Years: One Parent’s Perspective (part 2)”

The Toronto Homework Policy After Two Years: One Parent’s Perspective (part 1)

Today’s guest blogger, northTOmom is a freelance writer and blogger from Toronto, and the mother of ten-year-old twin girls. In today’s piece, part 1 of 2, she discusses the “family friendly” homework policy instituted in Toronto 2 years ago. The Toronto Homework Policy After Two Years: One Parent’s Perspective Part 1 by northTOmom On aContinue reading “The Toronto Homework Policy After Two Years: One Parent’s Perspective (part 1)”

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – More from Halifax, Nova Scotia

Today’s guest blogger, the mother of a second grader, lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She holds a masters degree in psychology and works full time doing psychometric testing of adults. She has written three previous entries here, here and here. Musings on the News by Psych Mom Our local television station recently did a threeContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – More from Halifax, Nova Scotia”

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – More from Sharon, Connecticut

About a month ago, I posted a piece by Fred Baumgarten, the father of two daughters in public school in Sharon, Connecticut, who had been talking to the other parents in his daughter’s fifth-grade class about homework. I recently checked to see what kind of progress he’s making. He writes all about it on hisContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – More from Sharon, Connecticut”

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – High Stakes Testing Isn’t Beneficial

I recently started a group on facebook (please join) where I heard from April Peacock, a mother of a third grader from Pennsylvania. She was looking for advice on how to respond to her son’s teacher, who had sent home a high stakes testing practice booklet, with instructions to the parents on how to reviewContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – High Stakes Testing Isn’t Beneficial”

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – Chicago

Today’s post is by Laura, an intellectual property and reinsurance attorney in Chicago with three children ranging in age from 5 years to 4.5 months. A long history of LD and ADD makes effective education one of her hot button issues. She wrote a lengthy letter to her daughter’s kindergarten teacher explaining her position onContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – Chicago”

A Parent’s Concern with Mandated Reading Programs (Part 2)

Last year, I posted a piece by a parent of a middle schooler in Massachusetts, who had asked, to no avail, that her child be allowed to opt out of the Renaissance Learning’s Accelerated Reader program. Today, she provides an update. Our School’s Use of the Renaissance Learning’s Accelerated Reading Product Has a Detrimental EffectContinue reading “A Parent’s Concern with Mandated Reading Programs (Part 2)”

Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–San Anselmo, California

Torri Chappell, a teacher and mother from San Anselmo, California, has written here before about her experiences advocating for homework reform. When something strikes Torri as being wrong, she doesn’t hesitate to speak up, either in letter or in person. Recently, when her School District had a meeting to talk about the school facility, TorriContinue reading “Moms (and Dads) on a Mission–San Anselmo, California”