LaSalle Parish Schools is the first district in the state to eliminate homework assignments. Superintendent Jonathan Garrett says homework has a limited benefit on academic success and believes that no homework gives students a strong reason to come to school excited each day.
“One of the things that we want, more than anything else, is for students to be engaged and excited about what they’re doing when they’re with us. And so we felt like this was another way to to generate some of that on our end,” Garrett said.
LaSalle Parish is rated as a “B” school district and is one of three parishes in the state where every school is rated as a B or higher. Garrett says getting rid of homework will allow both teachers and students to be more effective throughout the school day, which will help enhance overall performance in the classroom.
“We felt like by making this move, it would improve the quality of life of all of our people. And by doing that, it would just make our days even more meaningful, and we would continue to have the success that we currently have,” Garrett explained.
The No homework initiative will remain in place through the end of the current school year, and the district will review data before deciding whether the change becomes permanent.
Garrett says the school system has received plenty of positive feedback on cutting out homework.
“Parents having some relief too, that they feel like they’re not having to try to teach something that they’re not experts in and leaving it to our teachers, who are amazing and doing a great job of doing that anyway,” Garrett noted.
The district says optional practice will still be available for families who want additional reinforcement at home.