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

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)

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.