I completely agree, but I would go further. I teach high school, and I removed all homework from my classes. The results have been fantastic! The work in class is far more focussed, the grades are higher because I'm with them to trouble-shoot problems, and there is no more stress. Students don't skip because they didn't do homework, and also because they don't want to fall behind on their work. I was finding that the majority of 'grade damage' was coming from missed assignments; now, my submission rates are close to 100%.
Not to diminish the challenges faced by students with debilitating learning disabilities, I take the position that all individuals are neurodivergent.
This is so great! You have reduced the executive functioning demands that tank so many kids’ grades. Can I quote you in my book without using your name?
Sure you can; name, no name, both are fine. I've drafted an article which I will release in the coming days which covers some of my methodology. I'll drop a link in this feed when it's published.
Hi Emily, Here is the link I promised. I hope you enjoy the read and it stimulates some useful ideas. May 2025 be a year of more solutions than problems, and more inspiration than frustration.
I also have some primary school experience. I think that high school teachers would be much better if they all first had some experience teaching younger years. My experience 'expanding downwards' was a game-changer for me.
I look forward to reading your book whenever it 'comes out of the oven' :-)
12 years of homework. It wore us down. It damaged the relationship with my son and his relationship to learning (ADHD, dyslexia, Dysgraphia, slow processing speed). I was never so glad when it was all over!
You can quote me and use my name if you want. My son certainly agrees (he’s now 24 and did not go on to college). Honestly, after adapting to the idea of him not going to college, I breathed a big sigh of relief for us both!
This was a very helpful read. My son has ADHD and is in 5th grade/1st year of middle school at CFS in NC. Reading that these years should focus on building executive functioning skills through projects helped me understand my role as his parent through these projects. And that yes, he needs me to help him with this, and that it isn’t “cheating” but necessary. Thanks!!
This is so refreshing to read, thank you. My son has ADHD, dyslexia and reduced processing; homework has always been an issue as he’s exhausted when he returns home from school. He has had so much over the autumn half term break. I have completed it with him, as unfortunately his school don’t seem accommodating. It’s so frustrating as a parent!
I completely agree, but I would go further. I teach high school, and I removed all homework from my classes. The results have been fantastic! The work in class is far more focussed, the grades are higher because I'm with them to trouble-shoot problems, and there is no more stress. Students don't skip because they didn't do homework, and also because they don't want to fall behind on their work. I was finding that the majority of 'grade damage' was coming from missed assignments; now, my submission rates are close to 100%.
Not to diminish the challenges faced by students with debilitating learning disabilities, I take the position that all individuals are neurodivergent.
This is so great! You have reduced the executive functioning demands that tank so many kids’ grades. Can I quote you in my book without using your name?
Sure you can; name, no name, both are fine. I've drafted an article which I will release in the coming days which covers some of my methodology. I'll drop a link in this feed when it's published.
I would love to read it and share. The book I'm currently working on covers the elementary years, but I have plans for a middle/high school book, too!
Hi Emily, Here is the link I promised. I hope you enjoy the read and it stimulates some useful ideas. May 2025 be a year of more solutions than problems, and more inspiration than frustration.
https://open.substack.com/pub/ryanbromley/p/student-portfolios-for-assessment?r=2e8gk6&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Thank you! Looking forward to reading this!
I also have some primary school experience. I think that high school teachers would be much better if they all first had some experience teaching younger years. My experience 'expanding downwards' was a game-changer for me.
I look forward to reading your book whenever it 'comes out of the oven' :-)
12 years of homework. It wore us down. It damaged the relationship with my son and his relationship to learning (ADHD, dyslexia, Dysgraphia, slow processing speed). I was never so glad when it was all over!
It’s brutal! Ann, can I quote you in my book without using your name? This is such a good description.
You can quote me and use my name if you want. My son certainly agrees (he’s now 24 and did not go on to college). Honestly, after adapting to the idea of him not going to college, I breathed a big sigh of relief for us both!
This was a very helpful read. My son has ADHD and is in 5th grade/1st year of middle school at CFS in NC. Reading that these years should focus on building executive functioning skills through projects helped me understand my role as his parent through these projects. And that yes, he needs me to help him with this, and that it isn’t “cheating” but necessary. Thanks!!
I’m so glad you found this helpful! Yes, I we learn to become independent workers with scaffolding and practice.💙
This is so refreshing to read, thank you. My son has ADHD, dyslexia and reduced processing; homework has always been an issue as he’s exhausted when he returns home from school. He has had so much over the autumn half term break. I have completed it with him, as unfortunately his school don’t seem accommodating. It’s so frustrating as a parent!
Yes! So frustrating. I’m so glad this resonated with you. Feel free to share it with others in the hopes of changing mindsets!