Louisiana School System Eliminates Homework—Here’s Why

(99.9 KTDY) - One Louisiana school system has decided it will no longer be sending kids home with homework. The LaSalle Parish School System voted to eliminate homework requirements.

What the No-Homework Policy Means for Students

The superintendent stated in a social media post that children need to relax, spend time with their families, and engage in creative activities.

Imagine if that were your school system in Acadiana. How many parents would rejoice if they knew their children didn't come home with mounds of homework that need to be completed each week?

Could something like this happen in Lafayette Parish or any other Acadiana Parish? Everyone knows parents who would fully support this idea. Everyone would likely agree that they know many parents who would also disagree.

Some parents in LaSalle Parish are likely rejoicing at the amount of homework assigned to students and the help they may be required to provide. Another issue, what if you are trying to help with math, but you have no idea how to proceed and help your child show the teacher how they got to their answer?

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How Classroom Learning Will Replace Homework

How is the new system structured? According to a KALB report, instruction and practice will take place in the classroom each day. Students must still master all subjects to promote to the next grade and will need to study at home and prepare for testing.

Jon Garrett is the LaSalle Parish School Superintendent, and a letter he authored was posted on the school system's Facebook account on Friday, January 9.

There must be parents reading this who are hoping their school board will consider this.

Why Is LaSalle Parish Doing Away with Homework?

Garrett says that research shows that the real impact of homework is not as extensive as parents might think. He says that while you don't see much progress from homework assignments, they do increase stress for students and parents.

In the letter that was released, Superintendent Garrett writes,

Our goal here has always been to support our students: academically, socially, and emotionally.

Social Media Reacts to Homework Elimination

As you can imagine, people are highly opinionated on the issue and have plenty to say. Many support the idea, while others see it as a misguided approach. You can check out what people think of the idea in the comment section of the Facebook post below.

READ MORE: LAFAYETTE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT'S SALARY JUMPS TO $300K WITH NEW CONTRACT THROUGH 2029

Would Lafayette Ever Consider Not Assigning Homework?

We have reached out to the office of Lafayette Parish School System Superintendent Francis Touchet to request his thoughts on LaSalle Parish's actions and whether Lafayette would consider them. We will provide more information as it becomes available.

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