A new year means a possible new homework policy at CRLS. Math teacher Mr. Benson has drafted a policy that will restrict teachers from assigning homework over religious holidays and school breaks. In addition, teachers would have to assign homework during class, since not all students have access to online resources such as Google Classroom.

Benson says, “This is mainly about equity. It is about students not being unfairly penalized for things outside of their control, whether it be not having internet at home or responsibilities outside of the classroom that interfere with students being able to come to school early or stay late.”

Many students can agree that no homework over breaks sounds nice.  Junior Alyssa Filerman believes, “Time off should really be time off. I also think it is healthy and extremely crucial for teenagers to have space and time to find joy or to simply be bored.”

For some of the CRLS student body, religious holidays serve a purpose and some students have religious responsibilities and practices scheduled. Many argue that assigning homework or a test for the day after a holiday creates a disadvantage to students that are observing the holiday, and that it is important to respect the diverse backgrounds of all students. After all, CRLS’ motto is “Opportunity, Diversity, Respect.”

Brookline High School has already established its own homework policy that strives to address similar issues. Rindge’s neighboring high school has ranked different religious holidays based on what percentage of the student population participates in religious practices for those days.

The BHS policy states that if a majority of students celebrate a holiday, there is no school that day, or a longer break coincides with the holiday. This is called a category one holiday. Category two holidays are holidays that occur when school is scheduled, even though a fair portion of the student body may still participate in the holiday. For both of these categories, Brookline’s policy is that homework can’t be assigned the day before break or be due the day after break. The same rule applies to projects and tests.

The third category is a holiday that few students celebrate that occurs during a school day. In this case, students may speak with teachers in order to arrange an alternative assignment and will not lose credit.

Brookline High CP (Honors option) English teacher and former CRLS parent Laura Sheffield comments, “Teachers get impatient about the complications of [the policy], but I don’t think people disagree with it. Fundamentally, it isn’t a debate anymore here.” As an English teacher, Sheffield felt she had more freedom to adjust the curriculum in response to the policy, but some AP teachers had difficulties with adapting a class that is focused on preparing for a test.

To develop discussion at CRLS, Student Government has formed a sub-committee that plans to facilitate school-wide discussion on the policy.

Student Body President Sophie Harrington weighed in, saying of a new homework policy, “This is a simple and straightforward step that will help level the playing field for all students.”

This piece also appears in our November print edition.