Very few of us appreciate the homework we receive throughout our time in school. While we’re trying to balance volunteering and sports and music and whatever other extra-curricular activities we may be involved in, homework just gets in the way of us having a life. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to just get rid of it?
Two Calgary students have achieved just that. Their parents signed a contract with the school to free their children from homework completely. Sounds really great, doesn’t it? But what does this mean in the end? Shouldn’t their kids get used to having homework? It’s not going to disappear any time soon. What happens when they move on to high school or even University? And doesn’t it undermine the role of the teacher? What about the other kids in the class? As much as I hate the copious amounts of homework I have at times, this story as covered by Global makes me wonder if it isn’t so bad after all. Would I really want to get rid of it all together? I think it re-enforces my day-to-day learning – it helps me solidify what I’ve absorbed over the day.
The story is really more applicable to elementary students, and there are some very valid points raised. However, there is a trend within school boards to bow to the will of parents without standing their ground as professionals on education. The article mentions that a committee has been established to review homework policies for next year, but I would have liked to see them review this before striking any agreement with one set of parents. I’m sure there is plenty of research that has been conducted in the field of education with regards to the efficiency and effectiveness of homework.
What are your thoughts? Should teachers be in command of the homework load or should parents be able to customize school for their children? What is the real value of homework, if any?
I read an article in the Calgary SUN this week about this. It contained a quote from one of the parents about justifying the workload of a school day then the workload of homework later that night. The parent compared it to putting in a full shift of work then coming home and putting in another shift. Keeping in mind that these are the parents of Jr. High students this view is understandable.
But believe it's justified because of the workload expected of students in high school, post-secondary education, and especially the "real world" workplace.
Without the introduction of a good amount of homework in Jr. High how can students hope to survive high school, post-secondary, or the real world?
I really like when people are expressing their opinion and thought. So I like the way you are writing
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