The End of Homework: How Homework Disrupts Families, Overburdens Children, and Limits Learning - Hardcover

Kralovec, Etta; Buell, John

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0807042188 ISBN 13: 9780807042182

Publisher: Beacon Pr, 2000

Synopsis

In 1901, California legally banned homework in its schools, citing health risks associated with too much homework. The progressive measure found followers all over the country, and the anti-homework movement grew until the 1957 launch of Sputnik sparked fears that US children were falling behind. Now children are doing more homework than ever before. But are we really doing what's best for children? The authors of this text (both former teachers) argue that we're not, pointing to studies showing that not only is too much homework unhealthy but that it interferes with family life, it exacerbates socioeconomic class divisions, and hasn't been conclusively shown to help (especially grade-school) students learn. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

About this title

About the Author

Etta Kralovec is an independent scholar and teacher trainer. She lives in Bar Harbor, Maine. John Buell, a former associate editor of The Progressive, is author of Democracy by Other Means. He lives in Southwest Harbor, Maine.

Reviews

In this brief but thoroughly researched treatise on the evils of homework, Kralovec, a teacher and teacher educator, and Buell, an author and former editor of the Progressive, argue persuasively for a fresh look at the homework debate. Most parents take for granted that a greater amount of homework leads to higher academic achievement and thus better life chances later on. But the easy correlation between homework and achievement remains an unproven assumption, and the cost of overburdening students may be too high. This book suggests that children's growth and development might be better served by more opportunities for leisure time, social relationships, pursuing extra-curricular interests, sharing household chores or just simply playing. The growing class divide in the U.S., as well as increasing corporate demands on our lives, serve as theoretical backdrop for this book. One of the great American myths is that schools can "correct for the damage done by a highly iniquitous class structure," yet Kralovec and Buell make a compelling case for the idea that there are educational "mechanisms in place that serve to make the system less workable for poor and working class kids." Furthermore, assigning homework increases the achievement gap between wealthy students with leisure and those who have children of their own, younger siblings to care for, after-school jobs or crowded, noisy living conditions. The authors even argue that an increase in homework is a major reason for the escalating high school dropout rate in this latter group. The critical analysis of consumerism and corporate values may displease some, but this book will satisfy those who have begun to question the advanced intrusion of school, state and business into personal and community lives. (Aug.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This provocative book is one of the first publications linking homework with school reform. Reviewing the inadequate studies that have been conducted and citing historical documents on both sides of the debate, Kralovec, a former teacher, and Buell, an author and former editor of the Progressive, question the value of home work, providing a compelling argument that schools must educate children without over-relying on homework and extracurricular activities. Since the burden of teaching has been shifted from the classroom to the parents, the authors advocate for the reform of homework and its role, suggesting that homework negatively affects children from low-income families, where parents work all day and then return home only to be faced with intimidating volumes of their children's homework. They are simply not able to provide the same quality of guidance to their children as higher-income parents, who are usually more educated. These controversial ideas will certainly challenge both educators and parents.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Beacon Pr
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0807042188
• ISBN 13: 9780807042182
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 119