You've got to be kidding me!

My wife received the following email message today:


I’m proud to announce the first campaign in our effort to revolutionize our schools and culture through on-the-ground action.

In the months ahead, the EndTheRace.org movement will inspire action on homework, testing, rankings, admissions and other educational practices to create positive and sustainable change for our students.

Today, we’re starting with the Homework Pledge: your promise to work toward homework-free weekend and holiday breaks in your school.

Take the Homework Pledge and we’ll give you action tools to bring homework-free weekends and holidays to your community:


The research on homework is clear and unanimous. Most homework does not increase learning, raise scores or prepare students for the future.

By pledging to work toward homework-free weekend and holiday breaks in your school, you support a cultural shift that values balance, family time, sleep and health for our students.

And you join dozens of schools and districts already taking action in the wake of their Race to Nowhere screenings, including:

• Ridgewood High School in New Jersey, which has banned homework during both its winter break and February break this year.

• Walter Payton High School in Chicago, IL, which has eliminated homework for Thanksgiving, winter and spring break this year with no tests or projects due immediately upon the return from break.

• Wellesley Middle School in Wellesley, Mass., which has committed to a no-homework policy on religious holidays and school vacations.

• Galloway School District in Galloway, New Jersey, whose superintendent has proposed a ban on assignments on weekends, holidays and school vacations.

There is no better time to join the movement of communities revolutionizing our schools and culture.

Thank you,

Vicki Abeles & the End the Race Campaign Team

Really!? This is like telling a sprinter that they can beat Usain Bolt by running slower. This kind of nonsense will probably be swept up by schools where the students are already light years behind.  Malcolm Gladwell's 10,000 hour rule flies directly in the face of this ridiculous strategy. The only way to become proficient in a thing (i.e. math, science, writing) is by doing it........over and over again.  Don't believe the hype people.