SB 30 Backs Vallone's Homework Limit
BY RICHARD GENTILVISO

Community Education Council District 30, which includes part of City Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr.'s district, has passed a resolution "in full support of [Vallone's] opinion of excessive and non-uniformity of homework assigned in our schools."

In November, Vallone said he would introduce a resolution to the City Council calling upon the city Department of Education to institute a policy that would limit total homework given to elementary and middle school children (through grade 8) to no more than 10 minutes per grade level on any given night, and would include a homework-free night to allow children to participate in other activities, exercise and spend quality time with their families.

The resolution (Res 1233-2008), introduced on January 30, was immediately referred to the Committee on Education, where Vallone sits as a member. Resolutions can be turned into legislative action, but are not the same as Introductions for pending legislation, which when passed by the city council and signed by the mayor, become law.

The Community Education Council resolution said "[CEC 30 is] Fully aware of the need for our children to have the time and ability to participate in extracurricular activities to enhance their worldly experience in the fine arts, hobbies, sports", and also acknowledged "the serious obesity problem in our children".

In addition to Vallone's recommendations, the council resolution asked that homework only reinforce previous work and not introduce new learning. CEC 30 gave a measure of 10 minutes per grade from kindergarten through 12 grade, extending Vallone's homework limit to high school as well.

"Community Education Council District 30 affirms that homework must be a review and reinforcement of the day's lesson and not incorporate new subject material which must be learned independently and done at home.

"The Council (CEC 30) strongly suggests a citywide homework policy be established limiting homework assignment time for grades kindergarten through 12 to 10 minutes per grade, not exceeding 2 hours per night."

In December, District 30's Presidents' Council (PTA/PA) passed a resolution in support of Vallone's homework limits that also called upon homework to only reinforce the day's lesson and be limited to 10 minutes per grade for all students through high school.

Vallone first raised the idea of homework limits at the end of November 2007 saying in a November 28 New York Sun article that his two daughters were overburdened with homework.

"As a parent, I have been unable to have fun with my kids. We can't go for bike rides. We can't go to the park. We can't go to the museum, and that's not fair," he declared in the Sun.

The next day, Mayor Michael Bloomberg replied that it is up to the Department of Education to decide what is an appropriate amount of homework.

A second resolution passed by CEC 30 bemoaned the lack of requirements or funding for school guidance counselors in New York City or New York state schools, except for special education students.

"We appeal to the Chancellor [Joel Klein] to consider the employment of a full-time school counselor in every public school as a necessary component of the school and provide for such in every school's budget under the Fair Student Funding Formula," the resolution stated.