The thing with no homework in elementary school is that it gives supreme flexibility. Some kids are just beginning to master foundational skills and would sink under the pressure of real homework. A kid who needs phonics practise is free to take home phonics materials and work on foundational reading skills at home instead of filling out worksheets. Others can receive assignments from their teacher on an ad hoc basis, or even from their parents, or now have time to attend after school tutoring etc. Most schools with no homework policies assign daily minimum reading time. There’s no real benefit or need for homework in the traditional sense in those early years. Play, reading, family and social time, and sleep. Their job is to log the book they read or maybe work on a specific skill that needs extra time.
By 4th-5th grade and esp by middle school, it’s totally fair to introduce a reasonable amount of homework because the goal is now to teach the skill of independent study.
Important data here. I think the causes of student declines since 2012 are multilayered. Ed Tech and phone distractions are on the list... and so is a cultural shift in schools around expectations. This homework data is Exhibit A.
The thing with no homework in elementary school is that it gives supreme flexibility. Some kids are just beginning to master foundational skills and would sink under the pressure of real homework. A kid who needs phonics practise is free to take home phonics materials and work on foundational reading skills at home instead of filling out worksheets. Others can receive assignments from their teacher on an ad hoc basis, or even from their parents, or now have time to attend after school tutoring etc. Most schools with no homework policies assign daily minimum reading time. There’s no real benefit or need for homework in the traditional sense in those early years. Play, reading, family and social time, and sleep. Their job is to log the book they read or maybe work on a specific skill that needs extra time.
By 4th-5th grade and esp by middle school, it’s totally fair to introduce a reasonable amount of homework because the goal is now to teach the skill of independent study.
Important data here. I think the causes of student declines since 2012 are multilayered. Ed Tech and phone distractions are on the list... and so is a cultural shift in schools around expectations. This homework data is Exhibit A.
Moving Algebra to earlier grades probably benefitted girls and redshirted boys more than improving overall math education.
Also, reading for pleasure now codes as female in the U.S.