Homework

Several New Hampshire school districts have already issued snow days this month, and there are more come as we head into winter.

As districts have considered different solutions to making up those missed days, there’s been an ongoing debate over the effectiveness of blizzard bags.

Blizzard bags include a full day of assignments, which are either sent home ahead of time or accessed online from home.

There is a growing debate in New Hampshire and nationally about the value of homework, and educators are responding. Merrimack School District implemented a new homework protocol at the beginning of this school year.

Teachers can still assign practice homework, but it will no longer count as a graded assignment. Morning Edition Host Rick Ganley spoke with Mark McLaughlin, assistant superintendent for Merrimack, about the new protocol and what it means for teachers and students.

Before the new school year, we hear from several teachers from across the state, who work in different grade levels, about their hopes, concerns and goals for the upcoming year, from teaching the fundamentals to mandated testing, to creating a positive classroom climate. 

The emerging focus in New Hampshire on what’s called “competency-based” education, emphasizes mastery of a subject over time in class or number of worksheets completed.  But traditional homework has many defenders, who say it solidifies class learning and fosters good study habits.

  This program was originally broadcast on January 8, 2015.

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