Kids rejoice: No homework at this Portland school

PORTLAND – Students at one elementary school in Portland got some good news when classes recently began: no more homework.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported that teachers at Cherry Park Elementary School instead are urging students to play outside, read a book or spend time with family. Supporters say that while older students can benefit from homework, there’s little evidence it does any good for younger kids.

More schools are adopting the no-homework policy.

KING-TV in Seattle reported that at least a dozen elementary schools in Seattle are doing away with the afterschool assignments.

Last month, a second-grade teacher in North Texas got national attention after sending a note home to parents telling them she wouldn’t formally assign homework and encouraged them to eat dinner as a family, read together and other activities linked to education success.

In Portland, Cherry Park principal Kate Barker says they’ll monitor academic progress and will tweak the no-homework policy if needed.