Dream come true for students: Homework banned at some Utah schools
HERRIMAN, Utah (KUTV) — It's every kid's dream, and now it's a reality in two schools in Herriman, Utah.
Butterfield Canyon and Bastian Elementary schools officially banned homework.
That's right. No essays, no home projects. Teachers cannot send any work home with students.
Of course, students love the policy that went into effect at the beginning of the school year.
"Everybody was cheering like, 'Yeah!' said Kestler Hagan, a fifth-grader at Butterfield Canyon Elementary School.
But pleasing students is not the reason behind the homework ban.
"I do think it's a bold move for a school, and it is a big change and a huge mind shift," said Amanda Bollinger, principal at Butterfield Canyon.
She pointed to research from John Hattie, a professor and education researcher at the University of Melbourne, Australia. According to his findings, homework does not improve learning for elementary students. Bollinger said at her school, it's proven to increase stress on students.
"Our referrals for anxiety to our school psychologist have actually reduced by more than 50% in the last year since we started no homework," Bollinger said.
"It's definitely been less stressful," Hagan agreed.
Not all parents support the change.
"Some parents have absolutely loved it and noticed a huge difference and other parents that prefer to be more regimented," Bollinger said.
Janet Hall, a third-grade teacher at Butterfield Canyon, said the "No Homework" policy was an adjustment for teachers, too.
"If they don't finish work at school, part of me would love to send it home because then I have to take the time during my day to help them get caught up and finish," she said.
Now she makes a real effort to make every minute in the classroom count.
"I haven't noticed any difference in my kids' academic performance," Hall said.
"What it comes down to is, we really have to do what's best for kids," Bollinger added.
