Let's Talk About Homework

The Montville school district is holding a discussion on Monday for parents, students and teachers about homework and how it can be assigned in a way that's meaningful and not overwhelming.

The district is considering creating new homework policies as part of a larger conversation about the negative impact the educational system can have on students and their families.

The planned discussion is a followup to which was attended by parents, teachers and students, though Monday's event is not just for people who attended the last discussion.

"Homework: Supporting Our Children, Teachers & Parents" is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday in the high school auditorium.

Jackie Ritschel, chairwoman of the board’s curriculum and instruction committee, has said the district received an increasing number of questions regarding the quality, quantity and equity of homework since last November.

Some of the issues brought up at the last meeting included

• Too much homework after a full day of school and other activities
• Parents' involvement
• Meaningful assignments vs. busy work

The homework talks are part of a larger discussion by the district to create a healthy atmosphere and help students achieve a balance between school, family and other activities.

Superintendent Dr. Paul Fried in a recent presentation on district goals said the district could reconsider how it tracks students, such has by trying alternative grading and ranking systems. School board members and district administrators are trying to see whether the current competitive atmosphere is healthy or whether they want to make any changes, Fried said.

"In many high-achieving districts there can be a tremendous emphasis on competition," which can lead to harmful levels of stress, Fried said.

"We don't want to make grades the reason kids come to school,"  he said. "Believe me, if I thought this kind of atmosphere could lead to some sort of incredible succes beyond what a less competitive, more cooperative" atmosphere could achieve, he would support it, he said.

"Many examples tell me differently. I'm certain that if we, in fact, as a community are interested in moving in a direction like this that we can find a lot of success in doing that."