Some top NYC schools easing back on homework burdens

[Anonymous]

"Armed with neuroscience, self-analysis and common sense, some of New York City’s most competitive high schools, famed for their Marine-like mentality when it comes to homework, have begun to lighten the load for fear of crushing their teenage charges."
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/24/education/24homework.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

Makes sense to me, especially the idea of teachers from different classes coordinating assignments and test schedules to help even out the workload. That seems like an easy step to avoid overloading students. As just one example of how it could be done, all math classes schedule tests only for Mondays, all science classes only for Tuesdays, English on Wednesdays, Languages on Thursdays, and History on Fridays. That won't eliminate duplication, especially since each student takes a different slate of classes, but it might lessen the chance of overload.

[Anonymous]

A better option is to make homework optional (no requirement and no grade). This accommodates those who prefer homework (structure, military camp, exercises) and those who don't (freelance). Some schools already have a similar type policy. Most of us are very comfortable and confident about which option we would choose for ourselves or children.

[Anonymous]

Wow, which schools have that policy? I don't think most of the dc privates have gotten the message. They are more concerned with pleasing the go, go success at any cost parents that seem prevalent here in dc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A better option is to make homework optional (no requirement and no grade). This accommodates those who prefer homework (structure, military camp, exercises) and those who don't (freelance). Some schools already have a similar type policy. Most of us are very comfortable and confident about which option we would choose for ourselves or children.

How does no homework work for high school level history or literature classes? Do the students read silently in class, like elementary school? If they don't read, what do they do in English and history? Or is this more about math/science?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, which schools have that policy? I don't think most of the dc privates have gotten the message. They are more concerned with pleasing the go, go success at any cost parents that seem prevalent here in dc.

NCS's Head of School has been trying to implement this policy for 3 years now. This is one of her major platforms with mixed results. Apparently, it has been far easier to scale back the homework in the Lower School & Middle School than the High School.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, which schools have that policy? I don't think most of the dc privates have gotten the message. They are more concerned with pleasing the go, go success at any cost parents that seem prevalent here in dc.

NCS's Head of School has been trying to implement this policy for 3 years now. This is one of her major platforms with mixed results. Apparently, it has been far easier to scale back the homework in the Lower School & Middle School than the High School.

Trying to implement an optional homework policy in the high school? I'm not clear how that would work. I can see making some language homework optional, but making reading the book for English optional? Making the history research paper optional?

[Anonymous]

Making homework optional for college bound students would be a disaster -- why would a student who never did homework deserve an A when someone else worked so much harder? And talk about students who opted out of homework not being prepared for college. What schools have optional homework? I'd love names.

I do think scaling back homework makes sense. It's neat that Adam Gopnick spearheaded this at a place like Dalton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, which schools have that policy? I don't think most of the dc privates have gotten the message. They are more concerned with pleasing the go, go success at any cost parents that seem prevalent here in dc.

NCS's Head of School has been trying to implement this policy for 3 years now. This is one of her major platforms with mixed results. Apparently, it has been far easier to scale back the homework in the Lower School & Middle School than the High School.

Trying to implement an optional homework policy in the high school? I'm not clear how that would work. I can see making some language homework optional, but making reading the book for English optional? Making the history research paper optional?

NCS hasn't made homework optional, but it has scaled back the amount of work assigned in classes. Students reach a point of diminishing returns after a few hours of work. The policy makes sense and the Head has done a great thing in dialing back the pressure.