No homework for Marion County elementary school students

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — When children return to elementary school next month, they won’t have to worry about homework, Marion County School District officials said.

Superintendent Heidi Maier announced the decision Wednesday night to teachers at the 321 elementary schools in the district.

"It's actually a district decision to not have what we call 'everyday homework' at the elementary level. Studies show that homework isn't really meaningful to that child's education process, at that grade level," said Kevin Christian, with the Marion County School District.

Instead of homework, Maier has asked parents to read with their children for 20 minutes every evening.

"That's why we went to the library today. (We) picked out some books, read some things, learned something new," said parent Melvin McCray.

Officials said once the new measure goes into effect in August, students could occasionally have to bring their work home with them.

"It's not a 100 percent absolute. We are just talking about the everyday homework assignment that a lot of people feel is just homework for the sake of homework," Christian said.

Cox Media Group