No Homework Rules

Remember the brouhaha that erupted over “high stakes” testing in education a few years ago?

According to author/radio host Charles Sykes, that was nothing compared to the current outrage being expressed over what is being called “excessive” children’s homework.

What’s really amazing, says Sykes, is that the most vocal protesters in this war on homework aren’t some pointy headed “educrats,” but the parents.

Columnists like Wall Street Journal columnist Jeff Opdyke who tackle this subject can expect a blizzard of emails from parents who blame an overdose of homework for an epidemic of stress in their offspring.

Of course, it doesn’t take long for schools to catch on … These days they are apparently falling all over themselves to ensure that they won’t be blamed for adding more emotional stress to their students.

A perfect example of this mindset is our friend the principal at Needham High School whose mantra is “Less Homework, More Yoga.”

Deborah Lambert writes the Squeaky Chalk column for Accuracy in Academia’s monthly Campus Report newsletter from which this feature is excerpted.