The Boston Globe reported last week on a local angle of a national trend:
ESSEX — When Charlie Virden started the fifth grade this year in this seaside town, the 10-year-old right away noticed a big difference, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
‘I can’t believe how light my backpack is!’ he exclaimed to his parents.
That’s because Essex Elementary School, in a bold move sure to delight students and many parents, has stopped assigning homework…
Continue reading on the Boston Globe website.
The BPS Policy states: “Every BPS student should have homework assignments every school day. See page 18 (elementary school), page 20 (middle school), and page 22 (high school) for homework guidelines.Teachers are responsible for assigning homework” with recommended time requirements in elementary schools 30-60 minutes; middle school, two hours; and high schools, two and a half hours.
For another perspective, read education author and speaker Alfie Kohn on rethinking homework.
Interested in working on this issue? Email Paul Tritter.