Toronto considers homework ban

by Rob Peters | April 2, 2008 at 02:29 pm

1098 views | 20 Recommendations | 12 comments

I always found school life involved a constant feeling of unfinishedness--a sense you could always be doing homework, even when you're supposed to be having fun. I think the less of that feeling the better, especially for young kids. They'll have plenty of time to work when they're older.

Also, "But Mom, I'm not allowed to do any more homework" is kind of awesome.

Canada's largest school board is considering banishing homework during holidays and long weekends, the centrepiece of a proposed policy that is sparking calls for other boards to review their practices and counter a growing backlash against a "culture of homework" that critics say is ruining family life.

The Toronto District School Board's draft policy is believed to be the first of its kind in Canada to instruct schools to lighten the load, adding to a raging international debate.

"We've entered a culture of homework that needs rethinking," said Lee Bartel, a professor at Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. "It has become homework for homework's sake."

There has been a growing backlash against homework in some quarters, fuelled by recent books such as The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Are Getting Too Much of a Bad Thing. Author Alfie Kohn cited one U.S. study the amount of time that children aged six to eight spent on homework doubled to 118 minutes a week between 1981 and 1997.

Statistics Canada reported last year that students spend an average of 9.2 hours weekly on homework.

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Amy Judd

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 14:55 on April 2nd, 2008

Rob Peters, I like this story, but I think a regulated amount of homework is a good thing. I believe it teaches kids how to work on their own and how to manage their time. It also gives them practice for taking tests.

I'm sure everyone will hate me for writing this.

kate

at 16:48 on April 2nd, 2008

I'm so glad the tide is starting to turn against this sick homework culture. I've spoken to teachers who said the whole thing emerged from and was driven by the generation of uptight parents who preceeded us (I've got small children now) - time to turn it off!

labalicious

at 18:07 on April 2nd, 2008

Perfect photo opportunity when the cat decided that statistics homework was totally not important.

labalicious has contributed a photo to this story.

Rhonda J Mangus

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 18:49 on April 2nd, 2008

Hi Rob - I agree with Professor Bartel, "It has become homework for homework's sake." It certainly needs rethinking. Compare working in an office for 8 hours a day, then taking work home. Students at all grade levels need time to enjoy family, friends, and just have fun at the end of the day. Time management and working on their own can be learned during the school day, both in group assignments and individual assignments (sorry Amy:)).

Thanks again!

mtippett

at 19:52 on April 2nd, 2008

This is a fantastic idea. Good for the Toronto board to take this bold move.

Barry Artiste

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 21:12 on April 2nd, 2008

Rob Peters, I like this story. It's good stuff. I am sort of mixed on this one, memory retention is vital in ones work life, if one never practises through homework assignments University is going to be a total waste of time for them, thus regaling many fine potential minds to the World of Joblessness and Homelessness. Is that the excuse we want to hear from them when they hit the streets in protest that because that will breed thousands of kids who cannot function in the workplace because they cannot remember what they learned or wish to learn? Certainly scary if you ask me. I think a better alternative is to drop useless subjects kids wont need in their chosen field of specialty. If they want to become a Geologist, then steer them at a high school level towards that and drop Gym, Home Economics, Social Studies of the world etc. If one wants to enter the exciting world of accountancy, then steer them toward math, economics, etc

Trust me I was no big fan of homework either, but my Dad had other views, leaving a honkin big reel to reel tape recording my every word I had to recite from even my math books.

Kids when adults can pursue other interests such as social studies, literature in their spare time.

All I know a kid without homework will turn into a 38 year old jobless and bitter son sleeping in your basement watching Star Trek Reruns and surfing internet chat rooms, wishing he didn't listen to those who prescribed to the "Everyone Wins a Trophy for Not trying Society". Walk down to DTES and ask anyone there panhandling what level of education they have, chances are they barely made it to high school. Certainly not a society I want to live in, full of dropouts with even more excuses why they are social failures. Anyone care to dispute my theory?

Kaleigh.

at 10:53 on April 3rd, 2008

When you find yourself dreading going home because of the workload you've been given,
You know there needs to be a change.

Kaleigh. has contributed a photo to this story.

Super Sancho

at 17:04 on April 3rd, 2008

Hitting my homework with a wrench isn't working! (This is a reference to Team Fortress 2, where the Engineer class builds/repairs their team's buildings by hitting it with a wrench.)

Super Sancho has contributed a photo to this story.

luvie_garcia

at 19:54 on April 3rd, 2008

I spent most of my time doing homework. While sitting in a food court this was my table with all my homework...and I've learned thats just how it is.

luvie_garcia has contributed a photo to this story.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 07:36 on April 4th, 2008

Barry - If you haven't yet, you might want to read NP Contributor John E. Carey's article "American Teens At Risk". The United States educational system is failing its students, miserably; it truly is a disgrace. I would venture if anyone needs to be doing their "homework", it is those at the "top".

Best,

Rhonda

Barry Artiste

at 18:31 on April 4th, 2008

Thanks Rhonda, I will, though Canadian schools teach different subject and have inherently different cirriculum that the american school system. I think part of the problem with both our school systems is overcrowding, whereby frustrated teachers may be throwing text homework instead of real class time teaching

Rhonda J Mangus

at 18:27 on April 5th, 2008

Barry - sorry for the delay...there really is no one answer to the problems in education (although I do believe a complete over-haul is needed in the US, starting at the "top"). Nevertheless, I still stand by my initial comment. Best, Rhonda