Fairfield Teachers Decry Proposed Homework Policy

FAIRFIELD, CT — Teachers and parents turned out at Tuesday's Fairfield Board of Education meeting to speak against a new homework policy being considered by officials. The policy draft outlines in detail the purpose of homework and specifics about how and when it should be assigned.

The draft also states homework must make up at least 10 percent of a student's grade for a high school class and at least 15 percent of each course grade at the middle school level, a rule some of the educators in attendance identified as being particularly problematic.

Fairfield Ludlowe High School Headmaster Greg Hatzis said the grade percentage requirement could have a disproportionately negative effect on students who regularly struggle academically.

Bob Smoler, a math teacher at Fairfield Warde High School and president of the Fairfield Education Association, called the policy "extraordinarily prescriptive."

"Let's try to keep our hands off the professionals," he said. "... We know what our classes are like, we know what they need."

Ludlowe math teacher Tina Brown expressed a similar sentiment. "When I read it I honestly felt like a toddler with my parents telling me how to pick up my toys," she said. "... To know that the board thinks so little of our abilities was astounding to me."

Additionally, some in attendance said they were concerned that the policy would encourage students to seek a "gold star" rather than actually pursuing learning and that the proposal could increase student stress.

During board discussion of the item, the first reading of which was Tuesday, member Philip Dwyer echoed Smoler's statement that the proposal was prescriptive.

"Our children are different and teachers have to react to those differences," he said.

Board member Jennifer Leeper said she had "grave reservations" with the policy.

The proposal was the result of community feedback and the observations of policy committee members, said board member Jennifer Maxon-Kennelly, who sits on the committee.

"This is hardly a groundbreaking path that we are on," Maxon-Kennelly said, adding that some school staff members who were surveyed were in favor of the policy.

Tuesday's comments from Fairfield educators indicated professional development on the policy will be vital, she said.

To read the proposed homework policy click here.