In the last Gadfly, we reported (without pleasure) on a South Carolina school district that was promoting grade inflation by mandating that no student could receive less than a 62 (out of 100) in his or her first semester. [see http://www.edexcellence.net/gadfly/issue.cfm?issue=112#1409] Now we learn that some Bay-area schools are seeking to ease student stress by limiting when teachers can give homework. While some schools have established end-of-term "homework holidays," others are actually banning homework on holidays and weekends. According to one administrator, the policy is needed because "some kids are just stressed all the time...they try to pad their resume with jobs and clubs...and then they're doing homework until 2 o'clock in the morning." While it's undeniable that some students do try to do too much, may we suggest that homework should not be the first thing to go?
"Easing homework stress for high-gear students," by Nicole C. Wong, Mercury News, August 25, 2003
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South Carolina