Homework and Kids
KUOW education reporter Ann Dornfeld is working on a
story about the new no/low-homework policies at several schools,
including Whittier and West Woodland. She’s heard from plenty of parents
in favor of these new policies, and is looking
for a parent who wants to keep homework part of their child’s routine.
She’s at
adornfeld@kuow.org.
Comments
-k/4
MH
Reality checker
NwMom
HP
David White - Your child has an involved parent who values education. He won't experience the achievement gap - whether he does homework in the sixth grade or not.
Are you saying that the achievement gap is caused by uninvolved parents who don't value education?
FWIW
The drawbacks of homework often exceed the questionable benefits, in my opinion, esp. in the lower grades. Free unburdened time is also incredibly important for developing minds.
-parent
-sanity please
N by NW
The parents I know who are pro-homework value it as a window into their child's classroom. I resent that my kid does busywork as homework because some other family feels disconnected from their child's school day. Take a look at their workbooks or writing journals if you are that curious.
There does not seem any way for her to get through high school in one piece otherwise. I too wish that all teachers understood how insanely busy most high school students' lives are these days. The AP classes alone are like a part-time job. And they NEED their sleep.
-parent
The achievement gap is caused by many things. Having an involved parent who values education is surely a big plus, but there are many things beyond Mr. White's control that can and may contribute to lower achievement on the part of his child. They may live in an area with lower quality schools. There are likely lower teacher expectations of AA kids. There are likely higher teacher expectation of misbehavior from his AA boy, leading to higher likelihood of discipline, suspension, etc. There may be more peer pressure to not be a good student. There may be a lot less parent engagement in the school itself, meaning fewer volunteers, fewer after school activities, less PTA money, etc. The teachers, and the curricula, many not be culturally competent. The list goes on. To say that "he won't experience the achievement gap" because his father is engaged in his education is to dismiss the very real impact that socioeconomic factors can have on children and their education. It also suggests that poor achievement is due to parents who just don't care, despite the fact that many parents of low achieving students care deeply but just lack the resources (e.g., free time, excess cash, educational background, English fluency) to do a whole lot to help.
reality bites
If homework were tailored to each kid's needs, it could be very helpful. The chance to focus on challenging work a couple hours per week in the calm of home, without the elbows, talking, and constant commotion of the classroom, would be great. But SPS would never do it that way so forget it.
I'm not an advocate for homework, but come on, 20 minutes per week. The level of work that he tells me about in class, is below what he did at Stevens in 5th grade. Thank god for music, or my son would be bored stiff. If it doesn't start to ramp up, I will have to get involved.
I'd be mostly concerned about a lack of challenging work in the classroom than in the homework load.
I do think that some homework is fine. It allows for an opportunity to delve deeper into something, but it seems as if the school has two tracks. One for the hcc crowd( who seem to have homework and more rigorous classroom work) and everyone else.
I will be glad when Meany middle school opens next year ( and my kid transfers), so my kid gets the same level of instruction as every other child.
Average demographics at Meany's feeder schools:
29% FARMS
9% ELL
8% Asian
20% Black
8% Hispanic
50% White
13% Multi
Average demographics at Washington's feeder schools (which will make up the general education classrooms):
64% FARMS
28% ELL
14% Asian
44% Black
11% Hispanic
21% White
11% Multi
Are you saying this isn't a factor?!
In fact, I'll ask it with more emphasis. Are you saying this isn't a huge factor?