“There is no evidence that any amount of homework improves the academic performance of elementary students,” Heather Shumaker writes for Salon in “Homework is wrecking our kids,” quoting the Duke University “homework research guru” who arrived at his conclusion — in part — after reviewing more than 180 independent studies on the subject. Not only does homework poison an elementary schooler’s attitude toward school and future learning, it’s corrosive to families, too: “In thousands of homes across the country, families battle over homework nightly. Parents nag and cajole. Overtired children protest and cry. Instead of connecting and supporting each other at the end of the day, too many families find themselves locked in the “did you do your homework?” cycle.” Says another education professor: “Even in middle school, the relationship between homework and academic success is minimal at best. By the time kids reach high school, homework provides academic benefit [but] more than two hours per night is the limit.”

The bottom line: “Elementary school kids deserve a ban on homework. This can be achieved at the family, classroom or school level. Families can opt out, teachers can set a culture of no homework (or rare, optional homework), and schools can take time to read the research and rekindle joy in learning.”

BONUS CONTENT: If you have a teen struggling with any subject in high school, go read The New Teacher Project’s “One Classroom, Twenty Teachers” about how one teacher made pre-calculus accessible to everyone by engaging her students. Then go book a time to speak with your kid’s teacher.