homework

When going through the mail this weekend I pulled out a letter from the Issaquah school district.
Enclosed was a letter for one of our high school students to take English at the Night Academy.

I am annoyed that I am expected to pay $200 for my child to make up a credit for an English Class, and that I am expected to drive her out to who knows where and then back again to pick her up. All because she won’t turn in homework!

If she didn’t have an understanding of the material I could understand. However the problem is the exact opposite. She has an amazing vocabulary, can out spell anyone, and her super power really is having a good understanding of languages and how they work! When I reviewed her report card the teacher’s comments just made me shake my head.

Honors English, comments from the teacher: “Student shows exceptional ability in this subject, assignments are not completely regularly”. Grade F.

My question is, if the student shows exceptional ability in this subject then why is homework an issue? Isn’t homework a tool to help students master the material? If you already know the material it seems like a punishment to have to spend time doing something you already know.

Many kids today learn at a faster pace and absorb amazing amounts of material quickly. I am always amazed at how much they are able to retain. Our kids love to learn. They prefer to learn new things instead of spending time on homework. DNA is partly to blame. In talking to grandparents I have learned that preferring to keep moving forward to learn new things is just part of our nature.

I am tired of people saying I have smart kids followed with “have you considered home schooling or sending them to a private school where they can have the type of learning environment they deserve. “
Why can’t we put some trust in our teachers so that they have some flexibility in grading?
Why is the homework grade worth so much? I am listening!