On a semi-regular basis, you read news accounts of foolishness like this.
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (AP) -- A student whose vacation plans were spoiled has sued to end summer homework in Wisconsin, claiming it creates an unfair workload and unnecessary stress.Peer Larson, 17, had lined up a dream camp counselor job last June, but honors pre-calculus homework turned his summer into a headache.
"It didn't completely ruin my summer, but it did give me a lot of undue stress both at home and at work," the high school junior said Thursday. "I just didn't have the energy or the time for it."
We read much about so called "Black anti-intellectualism", despite the fact that there are enough studies that cast doubt on the wide spread nature of it, but when we read nonsense like this, "white anti-intellectualism" is not at play.
More and more I hear on a first hand basis, or read, about parents who are pressuing teachers and/or the school administration to change their kid's grades because of possible long term harm to the kid's chances of getting into a "better" institution of higher education.
I hear, or read, about parents complaining about "too much" homework being given to students.
But that's not white anti-intellectualism.
I think this particular case is foolishness, especially given that the kid was in an honors class. But I do think there is a legitimate question of whether or not kids should have mountains of homework. It's a real problem.
I had at least 3 hours of homework a night when I was in high school. So, going by my "when I was a kid I walked 20 miles to school" moments, I question the idea of "too much" homework.
But, when I hear about 2 or 3 hours for elementary school, then I tend to question it.
Wishy washy enough for you? :)
That's exactly what I'm talking about. And I know that it's a matter of tactics for teachers and schools. What's amazing is that this stuff is getting so flexible. I mean our family has been in three different elementary schools over the past 5 years and we're sharing information. I think that this kind of scrutiny is new for grade school. Something is bound to give, and I know which way parents are leaning. I mean we'd rather have a longer school day than have another hour of homework.
Posted by: Cobb at January 23, 2005 05:57 PM
There are also problems in colleges due to this. (and of course the usual grade inflation) Many conservative students have decided they don't want any challenges to their beliefs in school. If this was a predom black group, I'm sure this would be held up as further evidence.
I think the whole focus on black so called anti intellectualism versus white anti intellectualism is that when the whole society manifests a problem, it tends to be recast as a blacks only problem. The same thing is true with materialism. Sure, I do see some blacks spending foolishly, but I don't think all the white people can afford those huge expensive SUVs without credit...
Posted by: animeg3282(shannon) at January 22, 2005 06:22 PM