No homework helping metro schools

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

Some metro schools are taking a controversial approach to ease homework stress.

Brandi Ezell's fourth grade son has homework every day, even on the weekends. It's a routine that's looked forward to.

"We know what's going on at school because we're usually sitting beside him helping him in some way," Ezell said.

Putnam City Elementary Principal Kelly Suchy says less homework is best.

"There is some research out there that indicates that elementary students do not directly benefit from homework," Suchy said.

Students at Coronado Heights Elementary rarely leave school with extra work.

"Our curriculum is very rigorous and they have a busy day when they are at school," Suchy said.

Elementary teacher Ruth Jones said while they're in school, the focus is getting work done in class.

"Whatever they don't finish at school then becomes homework that night and due in the morning," Jones said.

While these students do not have assigned homework, school staff does emphasis reading at home.

"I just try to convey to my parents that if you can spend 20 minutes either reading to them or them reading to you then that will be the best spent time for their child," Jones said.

As a whole, Coronado has the highest test scores out of elementary schools in the Putnam City district.