![]() It is not surprising that our policy does wonders for parents’ relationships with their children. That such disciplines are neglected during the day-and then sent home in a mad-dash effort to get the kids up to speed for standardized testing-is criminal. Writing, which is one of the most challenging and comprehensive skills a student must learn, demands the constant monitoring and assistance of the teacher. We give students ample time to learn, practice, and master new concepts under the close supervision of the teacher. ![]() It is a very independent and personal task, and-if it is the right book and taught properly-a very pleasurable one, too. Reading is an activity best done alone, in the quiet of the child’s own bedroom. VanDamme Academy has a policy of no homeworkĪt VanDamme Academy, the only daily, on-going responsibility given the children outside school hours is to read. There is no sacred free time the time the child should be allowed to rest, play, spend time with family and pursue personal interests is compromised by the looming responsibility of performing hours of homework drudgery.Instead, the time for bonding between parents and children is compromised by battles over homework. They are often unable to help, and sometimes they even hinder the children with their own confused instruction. Parents do not know the material themselves.Their children are overwhelmed, trying to cram this busywork into car rides, between afterschool activities.Students must complete countless contrived worksheets meant primarily to satisfy state standards for homework volume. One of the refrains of their complaints: endless homework. ![]() Every year, dozens of parents sit at my desk and describe to me the intense frustration they feel as they watch their children churned through the public schools.
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