How can a 2nd Grader have too much homework?

Every time I go to a parent teacher conference I hear things that are great for my child but troubling for the remainder of her peers. After hearing about her progress I ask her teachers for the book report format that they use in class and the next level of math she needs to begin working on. I want to remain consistent with what she's doing in class and provide extra help. I explain to them that she reads a chapter and does 2 pages out of the math book every evening after she finishes her homework. One teacher asks "You don't think we give too much homework?" Not at all, it's friggin 2nd grade. The other teacher responds, in shock no less, "So many parents complain that we give too much homework".

Ok, she gets home at 3:15 I get home from work at 4:30, homework is always complete and ready for me to check it. Even if it's not all correct that's about 45 minutes a day. How is that too much homework? Not even counting the days when they don't have homework. This is 2nd grade, they aren't doing quadratic equations, they aren't asked to analyze the supporting characters in a Dickens novel. They don't have 6 different subjects to work on. It's pretty much math and reading. Regrouping and newberry novels.

Let's be real. They don't have 5 hours of activities planned after school. It's go home and watch TV, play video games or run the streets. How can any parent complain about teachers attempting to give their children something productive and helpful to do? It's not an age thing, I know plenty of young moms and dads who are at every parent teacher conference, asking questions, making sure their kids do the best they can.

This bothers me because if you start off thinking that education is anything more than the wonderful blessing that it is, what is your child to think? Currently DC is attempting to revamp the "troubled" school system. Closing schools, begging for more funds to help students who are falling behind. This is all pointless with a capital P. Don't know if its because I'm a young, urban, single mom who's child by default would be considered "at risk" or if I have a flair for pointing out the obvious. Does no one in the Fenty administration realize that its the parents!! Rich or poor, black, white or latino, doesn't matter, a school is a success or failure due to the parents.

It's my job as a parent to go ask questions, make sure the education my child receives is the best. It's not the governments job to teach me to be a parent. I chose to have a child so it's my responsibility. If my kid isn't performing well that's on me to follow up and provide extra help where needed. Everything is not society's fault. All little black boys are not stygmatized as unteachable. If by school age you can't control your child why would you expect the teacher to do so? It's not the school system you just have a bad kid because you're probably a lazy parent. I know plenty of well behaved young black males, they are that way because their parent's foot has been in their behind from day one. That's how it needs to be.

I don't claim to have all the answers, well actually I do. Any child at risk of failing anything in elementary school or constantly being sent to the office should be faced with expulsion if the parent refuses to meet with the teachers regularly. Doesn't have to take time off from work but they should have to call and commit to working with the child and teachers to help. The kid could have a learning disability, could be having an upheaval at home, might need a different classroom environment. The parents of a lot of these kids who need help must to be forced to do something. To any liberals who feel that some parents especially single ones may not have enough time in their day to attend to this, I'm calling you an idiot. There are options in this nation, if you don't want to have a kid you don't have to. You can't change your mind after it gets here and then decide you want the schools to do your job because you don't feel like it. From my experience most teachers really do care and they want their students to do well. They are also frustrated by lack of interest.

I for one am tired of uneducated hoodlums. Because there is no need for them. I think if I say it enough they will begin believe it, young black kids are just as capable of learning and civilized behavior as anyone else. We are NOT ignorant, lazy or violent. It starts at home with wanting your child to succeed. It doesn't matter if you have a PhD or a 9th grade education. Everyone is capable of being a good parent. It starts with embracing education and ends with instilling the value of hard work. Can you imagine young people of all backgrounds with a desire to learn and a rebuke of laziness? I can.