No Homework for Local School
By: Laine Baker
Updated: May 8, 2012
A few years ago, Felicia Gay became a teacher, and her two children
students, at Westwood Elementary School in Springdale. After the move,
she learned Westwood does not assign homework.
"I was very surprised, and didn't know how it would work out, and then very quickly realized what a gift they had given us," she said.
The gay family soon had more time for music, or playing with the family dog, Lucky. Gay said that changed their lives.
"Prior to that, in kindergarten and first grade, we were doing 30 minutes to and hour of homework, by the time we got done everyone was in tears, there had not been any playtime, dinner wasn't ready," she said.
Administrators said that they started the policy after taking surveys with parents. They found moms and dads disliked homework even more than kids.
"Each year our parents have indicated that homework is frustrating," said Westwood Principal, Jerry Rogers. "Some of the new strategies we use the parents don't understand so they can't help the kids at home."
A new research study suggests kids and parents may stress over homework for no reason. The study, conducted at Sydney University in Australia claims elementary school students saw no benefit, and junior high students only a small benefit from homework. The study also said that only high school juniors and seniors really took anything away from the assignments.
Westwood may be proof that survey is right. Despite not assigning homework for five years, the school has been accepted to an international baccalaureate program by meeting certain academic and curriculum standards.
"We think it gives kids a good attitude about school," Rogers said. "When they are here they are engaged."
When it comes to older students though, not assigning homework may not be much of an option for each teachers who only have students roughly 50 minutes a day.
"We have such a small amount of time in class, sometimes to get accomplished what I need to get accomplished I do need to send something home with them," said Cincy Mathis, an English teacher at Woodland Junior High in Fayetteville.
Many teachers feel homework is helpful, as long as it is the right kind.
"If you are going to give homework make it relevant, make it something that furthers their understanding, furthers their comprehension," Mathis said.
Although homework may be something they deal with in the future, for now the Gay family is just happy to have more family time, and less stress.
"If you don't have homework you have time to be a kid," William Gay said.
"To know that I go home and I have laughter and smiles and running..." Felicia Gay said.
"As a parent, knowing how quickly it goes away, and you can't get it back."
"I was very surprised, and didn't know how it would work out, and then very quickly realized what a gift they had given us," she said.
The gay family soon had more time for music, or playing with the family dog, Lucky. Gay said that changed their lives.
"Prior to that, in kindergarten and first grade, we were doing 30 minutes to and hour of homework, by the time we got done everyone was in tears, there had not been any playtime, dinner wasn't ready," she said.
Administrators said that they started the policy after taking surveys with parents. They found moms and dads disliked homework even more than kids.
"Each year our parents have indicated that homework is frustrating," said Westwood Principal, Jerry Rogers. "Some of the new strategies we use the parents don't understand so they can't help the kids at home."
A new research study suggests kids and parents may stress over homework for no reason. The study, conducted at Sydney University in Australia claims elementary school students saw no benefit, and junior high students only a small benefit from homework. The study also said that only high school juniors and seniors really took anything away from the assignments.
Westwood may be proof that survey is right. Despite not assigning homework for five years, the school has been accepted to an international baccalaureate program by meeting certain academic and curriculum standards.
"We think it gives kids a good attitude about school," Rogers said. "When they are here they are engaged."
When it comes to older students though, not assigning homework may not be much of an option for each teachers who only have students roughly 50 minutes a day.
"We have such a small amount of time in class, sometimes to get accomplished what I need to get accomplished I do need to send something home with them," said Cincy Mathis, an English teacher at Woodland Junior High in Fayetteville.
Many teachers feel homework is helpful, as long as it is the right kind.
"If you are going to give homework make it relevant, make it something that furthers their understanding, furthers their comprehension," Mathis said.
Although homework may be something they deal with in the future, for now the Gay family is just happy to have more family time, and less stress.
"If you don't have homework you have time to be a kid," William Gay said.
"To know that I go home and I have laughter and smiles and running..." Felicia Gay said.
"As a parent, knowing how quickly it goes away, and you can't get it back."
