New Law Aims to Reduce Homework Stress for California Students
A Growing Concern
Many Californians can look back at their time growing up and remember spending hours after school bogged down in homework, but one lawmaker hopes to change that for the next generation. As students and teachers prepare to return to school in January 2025 from the holiday break, a new law set to go into effect could eventually lead to less homework.
The Stress of Homework
For students like Sofia Johnson, the day is nowhere near over after the bell rings. The sixth-grader blames hours spent doing homework for the exhaustion and depression she feels. "Homework is exhausting. It’s overwhelming. It’s depressing that my whole day from when I wake up to when I go to bed is taken up doing school work," she said.
The Healthy Homework Act
Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Santa Clara) authored AB 2999, also known as "The Healthy Homework Act." The legislation was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom earlier this year to take effect in 2025. The law does not ban homework, but it formally encourages local school boards and educational agencies to establish homework policies that consider impacts on students’ physical and mental health, with input from parents, teachers, and students themselves.
The Impact of Homework on Students’ Health
A survey of over 300,000 American students conducted by Stanford University and the nonprofit organization Challenge Success found that 45% of students say workload and homework is their number one source of stress. 13,000 California high school students who took the survey reported an average of 2.5 hours of homework every night.
Addressing Equity
Schiavo said the bill was also tailored around equity – something California teacher of the year Casy Cuny believes is crucial, noting students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may not have access to resources at home like high-speed internet. "A child’s grade should not be dependent on the resources they have at home to do the homework," Cuny said. "I truly believe the resources should be dependent on the learning that takes place in the classroom with the professional. That’s why I support this bill – because in the end, it will be what’s best for kids."
What’s Next?
The legislation calls for the California Department of Education to put homework guidelines on its website for the upcoming year. It also requires school districts to come up with a homework policy by the start of the 2027 school year. There is no formal opposition to the bill.
FAQs
Q: What does the Healthy Homework Act do?
A: The bill encourages local school boards and educational agencies to establish homework policies that consider impacts on students’ physical and mental health, with input from parents, teachers, and students themselves.
Q: Is homework being banned?
A: No, the bill does not ban homework, but rather encourages a more balanced approach to assignments.
Q: What is the goal of the bill?
A: The goal is to reduce stress and anxiety caused by excessive homework, while still maintaining academic rigor.
Q: Who supports the bill?
A: Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, California teacher of the year Casy Cuny, and students like Sofia Johnson support the bill.
