School limits homework load

The onus is on classroom teaching at Piscataway High

It may sound like every pupil's dream - a rule stopping teachers from setting too much homework.

But, at a school in the United States, it is a reality to be taken seriously.

It gives children a chance to be involved in other activities

Joan Greenwald, teacher

The school board at Piscataway High, New Jersey, has introduced strict guidelines restricting homework to no more than two hours a night.

Homework is limited to 30 minutes for pupils in grades one to three (six to nine-year olds) and teachers are discouraged from setting weekend assignments for any age group.

"I believe that it's going to be a good policy, because it gives children a chance to be involved in other activities," teacher Joan Greenwald said.

But there has been some opposition to the move.

'Not enough'

Agatha Asamoah said two hours homework was not sufficient.

"My son is in a class for 45 minutes with a teacher. You tell me how much can be accomplished in that time."

Her objection was in spite of the publication of a survey by the University of Michigan, which suggested American children aged three to 11 spend an average of two hours and seven minutes studying at home each week in 1997.

Nine to eleven year olds were found to spend three and a half hours each week on homework.

The level of home study for both age groups was up significantly on figures for 1981.

Portable idea?

With research suggesting that children in the UK are feeling similarly under pressure, could limited homework make an impact on this side of the Atlantic?

Margaret Morrisey, spokesperson for the Parent Teachers Association (PTA), believes a similar restriction would be welcomed by many parents.

Stress is not good for adults, so it can't be good for children

Margaret Morrisey, PTA

"Although there are guidelines on homework set down by the government, they are for the minimum level, not the maximum.

"While some ambitious parents want homework set as young as five, the majority are concerned that teachers don't work out a proper timetables and pupils can end up with three and a half hours homework a night.

"Stress is not good for adults, so it can't be good for children - they're heading for burnout," she added.

Homework guidelines

The Department for Education makes the following recommendations for appropriate levels of homework:

Year 1 and 2

Recommended time: 1 hour/week

Recommended subjects: Reading, spelling, other literacy work and number work

Year 3 and 4

Recommended time: 1.5 hours/week

Recommended subjects: Literacy and numeracy as for years 1and 2 with occasional assignments in other subjects

Year 5 and 6

Recommended time: 30 minutes/day

Recommended subjects: Regular weekly schedules with continued emphasis on literacy and numeracy