To the editor:

Back in grade school, I had so much homework that my parents and I had to divide it up to get it all done before I went to bed. Every evening was spent doing my homework. This daily burden made me bitter about the concept of homework, a feeling I still have today.

Many years later, homework continues to torture kids and their families. A lot of homework can sour kids on learning. Recent studies have shown that lots of homework does not measurably improve academic achievement. Lots of homework can be damaging to our kids’ interest in learning and may suppress their natural curiosity.

I realize that some parents demand that their kids have homework, thus putting pressure on teachers to pile it on. Think about this, parents: How would you like to spend the entire day at work, and then spend the whole evening doing work as well? Home should be the place where family members relax and spend time with each other.

The value of lots of homework is a myth. I hated it when I had to do it, and I hate the idea of it all these years later. Sure, study for tests and write term papers, maybe have some homework now and then, but kids and their families don’t need the daily torture of hours of homework. It is time kids enjoyed being in school and learning. Maybe that will help stem the tide of kids dropping out.

Kathy Schott Gates,

Lawrence