Homework Hangover: Are Kids Doing Too Much?
by Katy Abel New Jersey District Lightens the Load When the Piscataway, New Jersey, school board voted last July to limit teachers’ discretion to give and grade homework, there was barely a murmur heard from parents. Now that news of the policy has spread nationwide, however, the murmur has become a roar. “It struck a nerve throughout the country,” exclaims School Superintendent Ron Bolandi, who has fielded dozens of media phone calls since NBC’s Today Show reported on the changes in the homework policy. “We’ve had a phenomenal outpouring of support.” Setting Limits The Piscataway school board’s decision limits homework to 30 minutes per night in grades 1 through 3; 60 minutes per night in grades 4 through 5; 90 minutes per night in middle school; and two hours per night in high school. Teachers can’t grade homework, but can note on report cards that assignments were not completed. “In education we love quantity,” says Bolandi. “If you get three hours of homework, you must have done so
