BAKERSFIELD - Local parents may notice that their kids may have a little extra time afterschool this year. Some schools in Kern County are assigning little to no homework as part of the new Common Core standards.
The Common Core standards focus on problem solving and interactive learning. Some schools like Norris Elementary are cutting out the fluff in homework and only assigning it if it's necessary.
"I think they are more focused on family time now. The teacher is sending home a type of homework. It's more based on the parent being more involved, I think, which is better. It's reading every night, " said Sarah Shoffaer, a parent from Norris Elementary.
Schools like Norris Elementary are adding more reading homework and cutting out busy work.
"We think that if something is sent home, it should be sent home for a purpose. We think it should be something meaningful and that's going to be helping them learn the material. As opposed to something that they might just do because they've always done it," said Norris Elementary Principal Daniel Weirather.
But less homework has raised eyebrows with some parents.
They say there is zero accountability in the new strategy because the students don't have anything to turn in to their teachers and without a hard copy, it makes it harder to know how the student is doing.
But others like the policy, and say the accountability ultimately lies on the parents.
"It's up to us now to do it and be parents and look at our kids work everyday and go through it and take responsibility for it," said Lynette Bruce.
"I don't think there is any other partner is a kid's education than their parent. They're always willing to be able to go meet with the teachers they don't have to wait for conference time or for progress reports to come out," said Weirather.
This is all part of the new Common Core standards, which were adopted by the state in 2010.
The standards are slowly being integrated into local schools and will be fully implemented next school year.
The Common Core standards focus on problem solving and interactive learning. Some schools like Norris Elementary are cutting out the fluff in homework and only assigning it if it's necessary.
"I think they are more focused on family time now. The teacher is sending home a type of homework. It's more based on the parent being more involved, I think, which is better. It's reading every night, " said Sarah Shoffaer, a parent from Norris Elementary.
Schools like Norris Elementary are adding more reading homework and cutting out busy work.
"We think that if something is sent home, it should be sent home for a purpose. We think it should be something meaningful and that's going to be helping them learn the material. As opposed to something that they might just do because they've always done it," said Norris Elementary Principal Daniel Weirather.
But less homework has raised eyebrows with some parents.
They say there is zero accountability in the new strategy because the students don't have anything to turn in to their teachers and without a hard copy, it makes it harder to know how the student is doing.
But others like the policy, and say the accountability ultimately lies on the parents.
"It's up to us now to do it and be parents and look at our kids work everyday and go through it and take responsibility for it," said Lynette Bruce.
"I don't think there is any other partner is a kid's education than their parent. They're always willing to be able to go meet with the teachers they don't have to wait for conference time or for progress reports to come out," said Weirather.
This is all part of the new Common Core standards, which were adopted by the state in 2010.
The standards are slowly being integrated into local schools and will be fully implemented next school year.