Homework rebellion starts in Jersey
SPARTA, N.J. Two weeks before their school year begins again three Hilltop Country Day School students decided to try to ban the bane of school kids everywhere - homework. Eleven-year-olds Ian Burke, Justin Ernstin and Eric Tavares didn’t just sit around complaining about it, though. They’ve taken to the street with flyers. They have a Web site and two YouTube videos. They’ve written to Gov. Jon Corizine and state legislators. They have a petition and they have a plan. “We want to make New Jersey the first homework-free state,” said Ian. “If that works, we could move on to other states, then the whole East Coast. Who knows, maybe it can go nationwide.” “More people would move here if there was no homework in New Jersey and that would be an attraction to the state’s economy,” speculated Eric. The boys cite the expected time for sports and social activities as reasons they would prefer not to have homework, but they also have some other arguments. “If an adult comes home from a day at work with two hours of work to do, people call that unhealthy,” said Ian. Justin pointed out that his dad doesn’t get home from work until about 7. “If I have a lot of homework,” he said, “I hardly get to see him.” And all three of them agree that homework is stressful for them and that, in turn, stresses out their parents. “It messes everything up.” Whether or not their particular arguments against homework hold any water, there has been an adult controversy over the issue for years. In 2006, The Washington Post reported that Duke University Professor Harris Cooper conducted a study and concluded that elementary school students get no academic benefit from homework, with the exception of reading and some basic skills practice. High school students get no academic benefit after two hours a night, while middle-schoolers are done after 1 1/2 hours. Even more important, Cooper claimed, is that most teachers get little or no training on how to create homework assignments that advance learning. Spreading the word Inspired by reading “The Boy Who Ran for President” by Dan Gutman, Ian contacted The Sparta Independent to publicize their cause. “Lots of people have told us it can’t be done, but you don’t know until you try.” They are hoping to collect 2,000 signatures on their online petition and then plan to present it to the Sparta Board of Education. Sparta Board of Education President Kevin Pollison said the board would certainly listen “if and when they approach us.” Hilltop Country Day School Headmaster Joe Stefani said, “I’m thrilled by the notion that they put in such an effort.” At Delaware Valley, where school began Monday, Superintendent Dr. Candis Finan was unavailable for comment as the Courier went to press. Delaware Valley Board of Education president Bob Goldsack said the issue is one primarily for staff, but agreed that homework “can be excessive. There has to be a balance.” If you wish to sign the petition go to www.Freewebs.Com/no4homework