A Massachusetts school district is making headlines by eliminating homework for its elementary students. This move comes as part of an effort to address the district’s designation as “chronically under-performing.” The hope is that by removing homework, they can foster improvement in the new school year.
According to reports from Fox 12, Holyoke, MA’s public schools are currently in their second year of state oversight. The initiative to abolish homework was inspired by a principal from one of the elementary schools, Sarah Thompson. As both an educator and a parent, Thompson believes that this change can be beneficial. “As a mom, I often find myself asking my kids, ‘Did you finish your homework?’ It feels like the responsibility might not solely rest on the students, even though we think it does,” she explained.
The Kelly Elementary School, which serves grades K-8, will also be extending its school day. Students will now attend from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Thompson hopes this new schedule will help address learning gaps, thereby making homework unnecessary. “Some might argue that since we’re in receivership, we need to add more work. But we are doing just that—by expanding the school day and offering targeted instructional support,” she elaborated.
While third-grade teacher and mother, Emily Carter, initially had reservations about removing homework due to the responsibility lessons it can teach, she sees potential advantages as well. “I’ve given it some thought, and I believe the benefits might outweigh the drawbacks,” she said.
Thompson added, “Our goal is for children to leave school feeling exhausted but fulfilled. We want them to enjoy time with their families, participate in sports, and then go to bed without the stress of homework hanging over their heads.” As a parent of two elementary school kids, I can relate to that sentiment. I often find myself frustrated while helping with homework, wishing for more time to enjoy family activities instead.
By eliminating homework, families may reclaim quality time that is often consumed by assignments. Kids miss out on valuable experiences, such as family bonding and extracurricular activities, when homework takes precedence. If extending the school day allows for personalized instruction, it could reduce those stressful evenings spent poring over assignments.
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Summary
A Massachusetts school district is eliminating homework in elementary schools to improve student performance, extending the school day to provide more instruction. Educators believe this will allow families to enjoy quality time together and reduce stress.