One school in New York City is doing away with homework. Principal’s orders. The school is elementary – kindergarten through the 5th grade.

According to the principal, all those math worksheets and essay assignments they were giving out were actually a total waste of time. Instead of homework, parents are encouraged to let kids spend their freed up time reading, playing outside or doing whatever activities they enjoy — with the recommendation that parents limit time spent watching TV and playing computer or video games. (Duh, right?!)

The principal explained to parents that “there have been a variety of studies conducted on the effects of homework in the elementary grades and not one of them could provide any evidence that directly links traditional homework practices with current, or even future, academic success.”

My only problem with this is the word “studies.” I hate studies because one day a study will show coffee can help you live longer and the next day it’s bad for your heart. For every study that says eating organic may prevent cancer, I’ll show you one that says eating organic has no proven health benefits. My own study – studies don’t mean shit. My common sense tells me these kids aren’t in high school or college. They are in elementary school and maybe that’s why their homework in the 3rd grade does not have a direct link to them being a brain surgeon in their adult life.

But some parents have issues with this. Their issues: The lack of focus this gives kids and fear students will fall behind academically.

Parents. Calm down. Most of the time homework is busy work. If you are concerned your child isn’t learning enough at school, then teach them more at home after school. Review what they learned at school that day or that week. Maybe that is more beneficial than homework. And like those popular studies some people take as God’s word, there is a flip side to this topic. Some parents are complaining schools give too much homework!