That Homework Rumor In Elmhurst Has A Basis

ELMHURST, IL – An Elmhurst school board member last week spoke about some residents' belief that local public schools have a no homework policy.

"We hear a lot that there's a policy in place that says no homework," said Elmhurst District 205 member Kara Caforio said at a school board meeting. "(The student handbook) talks about homework at elementary school, at middle school and at high school."

The student and parent handbook talks about it now. But as recently as the 2018-19 year, the handbook discouraged homework in elementary grades. So there is some basis to the rumor.

In the 2018-19 handbook, the district said research showed a positive correlation between homework and student achievement only in middle and high school.

"There was almost no effect on achievement for younger students," the handbook said. "The only homework that appears to have an impact on student learning is daily at-home reading."

The handbook stated the district encouraged elementary teachers to eliminate the practice of daily homework.

Instead, it said, parents were advised to support family time as well as their children's personal interests such as team and individual sports, creative expression and imaginative play.

The district also encouraged parents to promote daily at-home reading.

"This provides the opportunity to practice reading and helps to establish a lifelong habit," the handbook said.