The Internet Cheers This Teacher’s New Homework Policy

Op-ed by Heather Callaghan

I had to share this awesome teacher’s homework policy – I remember with regret the dread of hours of homework during school and trying to get out of it any way possible… It consumed my childhood. I should have been playing, but any type of levity was only fraught with the nagging loom of unfinished homework.

I was in middle school during the mid- to late-1990s. It was only after 7th grade that I homeschooled. My public school “career” up until then, while adequately academic and with great teachers, consisted of little crumbs here and there of art, music, reading or recess.

READ: This School Skips Principal’s Office, Sends Kids To The Mindfulness Room

During the first summer after my public school foray ended, I still had many nightmares of tests, math, reports, locker combinations, trying desperately to catch the bus, and clear into adulthood dreamt that I had to use the bathroom in front of the class. I even desperately tried to remember how to spell the word “school.” In case it wasn’t clear – the pressure was so much that my subconscious is still trying to work it out.

SEE: 8th Gr Test Cir 1912 Shows How Far American Education was Dumbed Down

The teacher would say “this algebra should only take 90 minutes, you can handle that…” But that wasn’t my only class – every other teacher felt the same way, especially when it came to reports. The problem was it didn’t take me 90 minutes (that’s 1 1/2 hours of a kid’s evening anyway!) – it actually took me three hours. The school didn’t account for problems or parents who couldn’t oversee or help with their child’s homework. School consumed nearly all the 16 waking hours I had, so I tried to blank it out with television.

Later on I worked at a school where I saw more homework, more books and even heavier bookbags – I couldn’t believe it. I saw pressure, fatigue and wry smiles from kids about to break. And to top it off – this was still before the nightmare of Common Core and increased standardized testing! I often think of how this one ingrained and senseless lifestyle must age us and make children become haggard instead of building them up for a good life ahead.

It is with great pleasure that I share Mrs. Brandy Young’s long sought after and sensible homework policy (explanation below). Are ready for this?

Source: Facebook

In case you can’t read it, the new homework policy reads:

Dear Parents,

After much research this summer, I am trying something new. Homework will only consist of work that your student did not finish during the school day. There will be no formally assigned homework this year.

Research has been unable to prove that homework improves student performance. Rather, I ask that you spend your evenings doing things that are proven to correlate with student success. Eat dinner as a family, read together, play outside, and get your child to bed early. 

Thanks,

Mrs. Brandy Young

As of this writing, the post has been shared by 52,000 people which is 2,000 more than when I started the first paragraph. Mrs. Young is taken aback by the response and has heard that it has now reached Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Polynesia, and Africa with similar cheers.

READ: This Means More For Longer Life Than Education Level

The thing that stands out most to me is the use of the word “research.” Mrs. Young has held common beliefs up to the light to see them wanting – and has adjusted accordingly to best serve her students. That is a thoughtful teacher who cares.

One wonders what grade/class this policy is for and if more classes couldn’t install a similar policy despite Common Core and pressure to achieve standardized test scores. Maybe Mrs. Young is on the right track by coupling thoughtful wellness/family time in with education. One thing’s for sure – this post really resonates with a lot of people!

What was your school and homework life like? Do you support this policy? Sound off below and share!

Take this poll and view the results:

This article (The Internet Cheers This Teacher’s New Homework Policy) is free and open source. It can be republished with attribution to authors and Natural Blaze.com.

Heather Callaghan is an independent researcher, natural health blogger and food freedom activist. You can see her work at NaturalBlaze.com. Like at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.