DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. – Some teachers in Duval County are doing away with homework altogether and though some parents, and especially their kids, are happy about the idea, other parents are not so hot to the idea and worry what it means for their children's education.
"I think kids need homework. I mean mine's a little young, he doesn't have homework yet, but I think it's important. They need to re-enforce what they learn in school," parent Jennifer Sapp said.
Recommended Videos
A study released last week shows students are being assigned too much homework. The study, done by the American Journal of Family Therapy, shows students should get 10 minutes of homework for their grade level meaning 10 minutes a night for first grade or 40 minutes for fourth grade, but the study shows children are being over assigned, in some cases with three times too much homework.
"I feel that maybe sometimes it's a little much at night. The amount of time should be scaled back a little bit," Kimberly Joseph, a local parent, said.
Rebecca Kaufmann said she teaches middle school and more of her colleagues are ditching homework.
"I think it's a good thing to decrease the amount of work children are expected to do at home. With all they're expected to do with extracurricular activities. I think the more we can focus on meaningful reading instruction and enjoyment at home, the better they'll do at school," Kaufman said.
For now the amount of homework a child gets remains a teacher by teacher decision but the Duval County School Board has released a statement that has guidelines that teachers can follow:
"Homework is meaningful, quality work, clearly explained by teachers and assigned to students to complete during non-instructional time. Homework may be assigned as a supplement to the learning tasks accomplished during the regular school day.
- Individual differences shall be taken into consideration when assignments are made.
- The student shall receive adequate orientation to task procedures, demands, and expectations of homework assignments.
- Learning tasks shall not be assigned as homework for punitive reasons.
- The length of time for completion of the assignment shall be reasonable.
The Student Progression Plan shall be evaluated annually and may provide specific guidance regarding the assignment and evaluation of home learning tasks."