The authors argue that not only is there no evidence homework helps children learn, it also contributes to the disruption of family life, the thwarting of child development, low self-esteem, suicide, high drop-out rates, economic exploitation, racism, and the destruction of democracy and of the world's economy.Every night Helene dreads coming home to a familiar scene. Her fourth grader sits surrounded by a mess of papers at the kitchen counter, grumpy or weepy, unable to complete her homework and making everyone else share her misery.
Matt is struggling with his math.... In tears Matt throws his math book across the dining room and retreats to the TV.... Both parents occasionally call down to Matt to turn off the TV, but they are more concerned this evening with helping Jesse get his homework right. Finally, giving up in exhaustion, the family goes to bed.
Shortly after the book appeared, the New York Times reported, the school board of Piscataway, New Jersey, voted unanimously to restrict homework on weeknights to half an hour in elementary school and two hours in high school. Homework can no longer be graded or used as punishment, and is discouraged on weekends.
