Updated: Sep. 11, 2016
Originally Published: Sep. 5, 2016
In a groundbreaking move, a San Diego elementary school has decided to bid farewell to homework this school year. If the nightly battle over homework has you considering a cross-country move, then pack your bags for California—now!
McKinley Elementary School, located in the vibrant North Park neighborhood of San Diego, has announced that it will not assign homework to its students this year. Yes, you heard that right! Say goodbye to lost assignments, hovering over your child as they complain, and those late-night arguments. No. More. Homework. (Cue the sound of angels singing!)
After confirming this was not a clever ruse concocted by the students after binge-reading too many books, parents were mostly ecstatic. However, some, like local parent Hannah Lee, expressed a bit of skepticism. “I have mixed feelings,” she told a local news outlet. “While I understand some kids struggle with homework, I also want to prepare them for middle school. A bit of homework each night was manageable, but it got frustrating when it took too long.”
But don’t think the kids at McKinley are off the hook for after-school activities! Parents are still expected to read with their children for at least 20 minutes nightly, help them complete any unfinished classwork, and encourage educational activities outside the school environment.
While kids may rejoice at this new no-homework policy, many parents are even more thrilled. A wave of excitement swept across the nation when Mrs. Sarah Fields, a second-grade teacher from Texas, announced her own no-homework policy to give her students more quality family time in the evenings. Some parents are taking the initiative to opt-out of homework themselves, and it’s easy to understand why.
Advocates for homework often argue it instills responsibility and prepares kids for the dreaded standardized tests. However, research shows little benefit to assigning homework in elementary school. After a long day of absorbing knowledge, young children can only handle about 15 minutes of homework before it turns into a test of wills—complete with pleading and the inevitable “How many times will Mom ask me to finish this math worksheet before she just does it for me and sends me to bed?”
Kudos to McKinley’s educators for daring to challenge the norm in the name of student well-being. Here’s hoping other schools across the nation follow suit—sooner rather than later. If they don’t, San Diego can proudly add “sensible homework policies” to its extensive list of reasons why it’s a fantastic place to live.
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In summary, McKinley Elementary is making waves by eliminating homework, allowing families more precious time together. While some parents have mixed feelings, many are celebrating the shift toward a more balanced approach to education.