08:39 PM CDT on Wednesday, August 26, 2009
By Shern-Min Chow / 11 News
SPRING BRANCH, Texas -- The new school year means a new homework policy at Spring Branch Independent School District. The policy comes after students and parents complained that there was too much homework.
"The new
policy isn’t necessarily about less homework; it’s about different
homework,” said Spring Branch ISD board member Mike Falick.
Falick was active on the task force that came up with the homework
recommendations. He has two school age children himself and heard
stories from the students. “They had anywhere from 30
minutes to 6 hours a night depending on what classes the kid was
taking,” said Falick. Hayly Barnhill, 13, is in the eight
grade at Spring Branch Middle School. Like many students, she’s got
after school activities. She does dance 3 hours a day, 3 times a week.
She says that in the past, some days she had no homework, but other
nights the workload was heavy. “I’d be up till like 11 cause I have to take a shower and eat dinner,” said Barnhill. Sometimes Barnhill had to hit the books before school to get everything done. “I’d have to wake up early, because I wouldn’t be thinking straight that late at night,” said Barnhill. The new policy has teachers working together and coordinating their workflows. “So you don't have four tests in one day or three tests and a project due at the same time,” said Falick.
The policy also states that no homework will be given over holidays,
that each school has a consistent homework grading policy and that the
teachers introduce individualized homework. That means not everyone will have the same homework or the same amount. Hayly’s mom, Kristi Barnhill, likes the idea.
“All three of my kids are different and several can handle more than
others. It would be great if the teacher really got to know each kid
and they got what they needed,” said Kristi Barnhill. Administrators, staff and board members know that students might react differently.
“If my son or daughter knew their friend was getting to do half the
homework, what's that conversation going to look like?” said Falick.
He acknowledges there will be some trial and error this year. The hope
is that in the end, there will be less busywork and more engaging and
interesting work. Interestingly there are a few
districts in the U.S. and Canada that have done away with homework
altogether in the lower grades. Spring Branch isn’t looking at that,
but it is a trend many people are watching.
Congratulations Mike and to the Spring Branch ISD! It is reassuring to see a district that is putting students first in policy and not just in word. Hopefully other school districts will follow your lead (including mine). Thank you for your thoughtful leadership.
Larry Grau
MSD Pike Township School Board VP
(Indianapolis, IN)
Posted by: Larry Grau | Monday, August 31, 2009 at 11:44 PM