California State Assembly member Pilar Schiavo (D) has introduced a bill known as The Healthy Homework Act (AB 2999) that aims to limit the amount of homework teachers can assign to students. The bill requires educational agencies, school board officials, and administration to develop, adopt, and update homework policies every five years, taking into consideration the impact of homework on students’ physical and mental health. The bill also emphasizes the importance of reasonable homework time, considering learning disabilities, and addressing issues related to students’ access to resources like the internet and computers.
Schiavo believes that the current homework policies need to evolve with the changing times to ensure they are effective and do not harm students. Her daughter, Sofia Johnson, expressed how overwhelming and exhausting homework can be for her, highlighting the need for a change in homework practices. Research suggests that while homework can be beneficial, there should be a limit to the amount assigned, with experts recommending no more than 10 minutes per grade level.
One of the challenges associated with homework is the disparity in resources available to students, with wealthier students having more access to tools like computers and internet connections compared to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The bill follows a survey conducted by Standford University and Challenge Success, revealing that 45% of students identified homework as their top source of stress. Schiavo hopes that by reducing the stress associated with homework, it can positively impact students’ mental health.
Breitbart News reached out to Challenge Success for a statement but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
